You may have noticed hairless patches or sores on your dog's skin, or you may have had to treat them on your own. Sometimes, the disease is caused by a parasitic infection called scabies. In general, there are three types of scabies, each of which is caused by a different type of tick: demodex, Sarcoptes scabiei, and Chelyletiella. These fleas live on or under the dog's skin. Symptoms include irritation and itching. Dogs suffering from this disease are also likely to suffer from secondary bacterial infections resulting in sores or hairless patches. This disease may only attack specific places on the dog's body such as the face and feet. After the symptoms have given up throughout the body, this scabies is referred to as generalized scabies. Two of the three types of scabies (sarcoptic and cheyletiella) can be prevented, while the other (demodex) is not. However, demodex can be controlled if you recognize the symptoms and provide the right treatment to deal with it. Providing effective treatment will require prescribed medications, and therefore, the first stop for treating a dog with this disease is a veterinarian.
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Part 1 of 5: Monitoring Irritation in Dogs
Step 1. Observe the body part the dog is scratching
Are there certain parts of her body that seem more itchy than others? Is your dog licking its paws, the underside of its tail, or its belly?
The most common areas of allergic irritation in dogs are around the back, tail, stomach, feet, and soles
Step 2. Check for the presence or absence of cheyletiella scabies
This type of tick looks like a white powder to the naked eye. These fleas also move slowly. You can see these fleas when you brush your dog's hair with paper. These lice can also be caught with tape for diagnostic purposes.
Your dog will feel uneasy about the presence of these fleas. In addition, young dogs will experience more severe attacks because their immune systems are not yet mature enough
Step 3. Check for sarcoptic scabies
Sarcoptic scabies (Sarcoptes scabei) is caused by a parasitic infestation. Dog skin that is attacked by it will become red and scaly in some places. Sarcoptic mange can cause significant skin problems and cause anxiety for dogs because the tick causes intense itching.
Sarcoptic mange can attack dogs very easily and infect. Although this type of tick can also attack humans, the impact is usually not significant
Step 4. Check for demodectic scabies
Demodectic mange (red mange) is caused by small fleas that are naturally found on most dogs but generally do not cause skin problems when the dog's immune system is in good condition. Demodex is commonly found in puppies because their immune systems are still developing.
- Demodectic mange is not easily transmitted and cannot infect humans. Usually, this mange is transmitted from a nursing mother dog to her child. Mange is most easily found around the eyes and mouth of puppies who do not yet have an adequate immune system.
- This type of scabies is most likely a hereditary disease. It is natural for puppies to get demodex if their mother has also had it.
Part 2 of 5: Visiting the Vet
Step 1. Take your dog to the vet if you suspect fleas
Consult your veterinarian for the best treatment for the type of mange your dog has. Not all scabies lice react equally to all types of treatment. In addition, certain puppies are not amenable to certain types of medication. Therefore, do not use drugs without a doctor's approval.
Your veterinarian will determine what type of tick is attacking your dog. Effective treatment will depend on the type of tick infested, and therefore identification of the tick is mandatory
Step 2. Ask your vet to brush your hair
Brushing involves standing the dog on a white sheet of paper and combing its fur to allow dirt and particles to fall onto the paper. After that, the doctor will examine the particles using a microscope.
- Another method is to use clear tape to collect a sample of small particles directly from the feathers for examination under a microscope.
- The above method is the most common diagnostic method for cheyletiella. To the naked eye, this type of tick looks like white grains. These fleas also move slowly and can be caught with tape. To catch the other two types of ticks, you will need a different method.
- Sarcoptes are a type of tick that lives on the surface of the skin and can sometimes be picked up from brush bristles or skin flakes. However, this type of tick moves quickly and is microscopic in size. Therefore, sarcoptes can escape from the tape trap easily.
Step 3. Ask the vet to test your dog's blood
Because Sarcoptes ticks move quickly and are often too small to see with the naked eye, sometimes veterinarians have to perform blood tests. Through this test, the veterinarian will look for evidence of the emergence of the body's defense system against the attack of the Sarcoptes tick. This test returns a “Yes” or “No” result for the presence of infection. However, this method can only be trusted if your dog has been infected for at least two weeks-the period necessary for the immune system to emerge.
Step 4. Request a sample of the skin
Because the demodex tick lives in the skin, your vet will need a blunt-bladed scalpel to sample the surface of your dog's skin. This technique will cause the lice to come up to the surface and catch them in the flakes of skin on the edge of the scalpel blade. A well-behaved dog will have no problem undergoing this procedure.
The debris is then examined under a microscope to identify the lice, which are usually shaped like cigarette butts
Step 5. Request a skin biopsy
A skin biopsy may be used if other methods of collecting lice have failed to produce a good diagnosis. This method is also recommended if it is suspected that the infestation is the demodex type. The principle is full-thickness skin sampling. After that, the pathologist will look for the presence of demodex lice between the hair follicles.
Part 3 of 5: Treating Cheyletiella and Sarcoptes Flea Attacks
Step 1. Treating cheyletiella ticks
These lice respond to various types of drugs. Some of these treatments can carry different risks than others. Therefore, it is recommended that you use a safer alternative if you can.
- The recommended course of action for this type of lice is treatment with a spray containing Fipronil three times with a gap of two weeks between each spray. Please note that this product is not licensed for use for this purpose; however, experts have acknowledged that this method is safe and effective. This method is also recommended by veterinarians specializing in dermatology.
- An example of an alternative treatment method is the administration of sulfide shampoo which is used three to four times with a gap of one week between administration. This method is also safe to use.
- Another alternative method with a higher risk is ivermectin. This treatment is done through injections at weekly intervals three times. However, this method can result in coma in ivermectin-sensitive puppies such as collies. Therefore, this method is best avoided unless there is a compelling reason to use it.
Step 2. Treating sarcoptes infestation
Once identified, these lice can be treated easily through regular administration of external skin products. Recommended products will contain both lambectin (like the Revolution brand in the US) and imidacloprid (like Advocate in the UK).
- At the beginning of administration, this treatment is given once every two weeks for three times, then every month to prevent recurrent infections.
- Oral medications can also be used effectively. The recommended product will contain milbemycin (Milbemax) given six times weekly.
- Older medications such as Amitrax are also effective. This drug is an insecticidal substance that can damage the environment if disposed of improperly. This material is also toxic to fish if it is spilled into the water. We recommend that you choose a product that is safer than this one ingredient.
Step 3. Treat all dogs that have been in contact with a dog with scabies
Cheyletiella and Sarcoptes fleas can be passed from one dog to another. All dogs that have been around a dog with mange should be treated with the same medication.
Cats and other animals do not need to be treated
Step 4. Clean or dispose of all used bedding, collars, and chains
Dispose of or thoroughly wash all of these items in hot water. You have to clean your house from fleas. Dry in a tumble dryer if possible.
Step 5. Know that humans can also suffer from hives from sarcoptic ticks
The tick that causes sarcoptic scabies can be transmitted to humans. However, these lice cannot reproduce in humans. Symptoms that can occur are intense itching in certain areas of the skin. However, the sarcoptic tick will die afterwards. If you start to feel itchy from the ticks, the symptoms will disappear after about three weeks.
Part 4 of 5: Treating Demodex
Step 1. Wait and see if your dog has the demodex tick
This type is slightly different from the other two types of scabies in that the lice live under the skin's surface instead of on it. This type of scabies also has two forms:
- Infection is localized and confined to puppies and dogs under twelve months of age. The demodex flea lives on the dog's skin, but the body's defense system is not compromised by it. As puppies develop immune systems, sometimes fluffy, pink patches of hairless skin will appear on their skin. However, the patches are not bothersome to the dog and do not require treatment. As the puppy's immune system gets stronger, his body will fight off the infection.
- General infection that often occurs in dogs over 12 months of age. If the area of symptoms enlarges or the patches become sticky and itchy and show signs of secondary infection, treatment should be started immediately.
Step 2. Wash your dog with benzoyl peroxide
Demodex general, which affects a dog's entire body, is a more serious disease. Its nickname, red scabies, was given to the intense irritation and inflammation of the skin that occurs in response to the large number of lice living in the hair follicles. First of all, you will have to wash your dog with a shampoo containing benzoyl peroxide. This treatment is not a treatment but a follicle cleansing which can penetrate the hair follicles and cleanse them. After that, the dog's body will become more inhospitable to demodex. In the process, some of the lice will also be washed away.
This type of shampoo can be purchased at pet stores. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations
Step 3. Use insecticide when bathing in every week
The treatment for demodex is to bathe the dog weekly with an insecticide called amitraz. This insecticide is a liquid medicine that is dissolved in water and poured over the dog's body. Since the footprint is the most frequently infected area, stand the dog in a pool of the solution for ten minutes, the minimum time needed for the treatment to be effective.
- Do not rinse off the medicine. Let it dry by itself.
- This treatment is given once every week and is continued until you get two or three negative skin flakes. The treatment process can take anywhere from four to twelve weeks depending on the response.
- Please note that amitraz is toxic to fish, birds and reptiles. Amitraz can also re-trigger asthma. Administration of this drug should be done in a well-ventilated area, attempted outdoors, and the person bathing must wear protective waterproof clothing such as rubber gloves and a plastic apron. People who have had asthma should not use amitraz.
Step 4. Try oral medications
Because amitraz is bad and toxic to some animals, many veterinarians recommend administering unlicensed medication. Among others are:
- Milbemycin (milbemax): this is an oral deworming medication. This medication is taken daily for 30 days after which two to three negative skin flakes are taken at a distance of at least seven days between taking. The downside of this drug is its price. Milbemycin is very expensive and the cost of sixty consecutive days of treatment for a large dog can be a huge drain on your pocket. In addition, these drugs are also not always effective, which results in the need for doubling the dose and increasing costs.
- Ivermectin. At the beginning of treatment, this oral drug is given in a low dose. Slowly, your vet will increase the dose. Daily administration of the drug is often necessary for three to eight months. Ivermectin can have dangerous side effects for some dogs because ivermectin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain. This drug can cause respiratory illness, extreme incoordination and even coma. Collie dog breeds are known to be sensitive and susceptible to this one drug. Preferably, the drug ivermectin should not be given to collie races at all.
Step 5. Clean or dispose of bedding, collars, and animal chains
Dispose of or thoroughly wash all bedding, collars, chains, and other materials that have come into contact with your pet. Your home must be cleaned of these fleas. Wash all bedding and other materials in hot water. Dry in a tumble dryer if possible.
Step 6. You don't have to worry about your other pets
Demodex is not transmitted in the same way as cheyletiella or sarcoptes, and therefore, other pets that have been in contact with dogs with demodex do not need to be treated as well.
Puppies can be infected from their mothers during childbirth. These lice can live in the skin for years, waiting for an opportunity to breed
Step 7. Ask your veterinarian about the dog's health condition
A suppressed immune system can make demodex infections easier. Every effort should be directed toward diagnosing and treating health problems such as an underactive thyroid gland, diabetes, or Cushing's disease.
Step 8. Treat the infection with antibiotics
Oftentimes, the consequences of scurvy are itching, broken skin, and a bacterial infection. It is important to control secondary infections with as many antibiotics as needed.
Sometimes, a short course of oral steroids is recommended to reduce itching while other drugs are working to treat the underlying disease. However, steroids should not be used in demodex because their immunosuppressive effects can reduce the body's ability to fight and kill lice
Part 5 of 5: Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Step 1. Make sure your dog has a healthy diet
Feed your dog a balanced diet containing the necessary vitamins and minerals to build a strong immune system. Through a good diet, your dog will be able to deal with flea infections better. Currently, experts believe that demodex is able to reside in the skin of normal dogs who do not have skin diseases. However, the immune system of the dogs' skin is able to keep the number of fleas in check, so that the symptoms of scabies do not appear. When a dog's immune system is weakened due to poor diet or disease, these fleas can breed and cause disease.
Step 2. Always perform parasite control
Most treatments for external parasites have a spectrum of activity that goes beyond just dealing with fleas or pinworms. For example, a market product called Revolution contains salamectin. This drug is effective in treating sarcoptic scabies mites. Other market products such as Frontline and Efipro contain fipronil which is effective against fleas and cheyletiella. By using a product regularly, your dog will get good protection if the fleas try to attack him.
These products will not completely prevent your dog from getting scabies. However, some of them will be able to overcome certain risks, depending on the type of product
Step 3. Keep the environment clean
It is normal to keep your dog's living area clean. Dust and dirt can contain and supply nutrients for parasites, while a clean environment will be difficult for parasites to live in.
- Carry out regular cleaning with a vacuum cleaner (daily, if possible), and place an insecticidal flea collar in the vacuum cleaner bag to kill any parasites that are sucked in. Try flea collars that contain pyrethrin.
- Spray soft furnishings and carpets with an insecticidal spray specially designed to kill flea eggs and larvae. The insecticide is very strong and can kill parasites such as cheyletiella and sarcoptes directly from the host (demodex lives in the skin, so this product will not work on it). This will reduce the risk of reinfection in dogs that come into contact with contaminated bedding. Your vet can recommend the right spray. Good examples of spray types are Indorex, RIP Fleas, and Nuvan StayKill. Do not use the spray near birds, fish or reptiles. Make sure you change the air in the room thoroughly for a few hours after the first spray.
- Parasitic activity can last up to seven months. Therefore, it is very important to overcome the possible attacks that occur.
Step 4. Tidy up your page
If your dog often goes outdoors, make sure the surroundings are tidy. Remove plant debris such as dry leaves and rotting plants because parasites can settle on the surface.
Warning
- There are certain types of puppies, such as boxers, that are more susceptible to mange than other breeds. While you are selecting a puppy to buy, ask the breeder about the possibility or occurrence of mange for the pup you want to buy.
- It is very important that you treat all types of scabies as soon as possible because lice multiply quickly. The presence of fleas interferes with the dog's defense system, weakening its ability to fight off the parasite. If their immune system is weakened, your dog will be more susceptible to other diseases and/or parasites.
- Make sure you check all the labels on any home remedies you are giving your dog. Some shampoos and insecticides should not be used on pets under a certain age because the ingredients in them can cause illness and even death. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian.
