Scabies Treatment for Dogs with Miticide (Amitaz)

Miticide or an Amitaz dip is generally used to treat a pet with scabies. Dogs get scabies when they come in contact with dogs that are infected with mites. Dogs of all ages and breeds can be infected by the mites that cause canine scabies. Miticides are any chemical substances that kill both mites and ticks. Many of these substances kill not only the adult mites but their eggs and larvae as well.

Scabies in Dogs

Scabies, also known as Sarcoptic Mange, is a skin disease caused by a mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. This infection can cause severe itching, reddening of the skin, lesions and patches of bald skin due to hair loss. The chest, belly, ears and legs are the most commonly affected parts of a dog with scabies.

Symptoms of Scabies

Symptoms of Scabies in dogs include:

  • Severe itching on areas such as the elbows, ears, chest, belly, armpits and hocks as a result of an allergic reaction to the mites
  • Hair loss as a result of the excessive itching
  • Formation of red pustules with yellow crusts
  • Sores and infections on the skin as a result of the excessive itching
  • Aggravation of itching in warm conditions
  • Darkening of the skin due to constant irritation 
  • Enlargement of the surrounding lymph nodes

Treatment of Canine Scabies     

Amitaz is the only Miticide that’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Its brand name is Mitaban. A dip can be made at home by following the instructions on the label and adding Mitaban to the requisite amount of water. The dip should be applied to your pet in a well-ventilated area. You should wear rubber gloves and protective clothing to prevent exposure of your skin to the chemical. Place some of the dip in a tub and make your pet stand in the tub so that his feet are immersed in the dip.

Use a sponge to apply the dip over your pet’s body and allow it to dry on him. This procedure should be repeated every fortnight or as recommended by the vet. It’s best to prevent wetting your pet’s coat or legs in between dips. This biweekly procedure should be continued for a period of 2 months after the skin scrapings are first found negative for mites.

Side Effects of Miticide

Miticide side effects in dogs include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness 
  • Lethargy

Precautions You Must Take

Since scabies is contagious, it’s essential to treat all household pets even if only one pet is infected. If your pet shows any of the side effects mentioned above, you should wash off the dip from his body.

Concerns Regarding Miticide

Miticide or an Amitaz dip has a low efficiency rate. Often other dips such as lime sulfur dips are preferred as they have fewer side effects and are more efficient in killing mites.

A nutritious diet, mineral supplements, multivitamins, tender loving care and plenty of exercise in addition to treatment with Miticide can help your pet successfully fight off scabies.

 

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