Pet Care: On the lookout for mange

Mange is treatable! Find a great pet care provider at Sunshine Help.

I was watching the previews for the upcoming season of one of my favorite television shows the other night. The hero was talking about fighting werewolves or something like that, when the star of the show pulls a clump of hair from his nemesis and proclaims that he has mange.  This prompted the question, “what is mange, anyway?”  I had often heard the phrase, mangey mutt, but I really had no idea what mange was or what caused it.

Turns out that mange is the result of too many parasites living in a dog´s hair follicles.  There are actually three types of mange that affect a dog´s coat – actually any animal´s coat, for it turns out that some mange is contagious.

Sarcoptic Mange, also known as canine scabies. is an infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei canis, a burrowing mite.  Sarcoptic Mange is highly contagious and can also infest other animals, and humans, too. Yikes! Hair loss and crusting from Sarcoptic Mange frequently appear first on elbows and ears.

Cheyletiella Mange, also known as walking dandruff, affects mostly puppies and occurs over the dog’s head, neck, and back. Although this type of mange is also highly contagious, it short-lived as the mite that causes the mange dies a short time after leaving the host.

Demodicosis Mange, or Red Mange, is primarily caused by the inability of  a dog´s immune system to keep the Demodex Canis mites in check. This form of mange is rarely contagious to humans, and hardly every causes problems in most dogs.  Certain situations, however, like a dog having an impaired immune system, intense stress or poor nutrition, can cause the mites to reproduce rapidly, causing mange-like symptoms to develop.

There is a simple test for mange, the “Pedal-Pinna Relfex”. Since mites proliferate on the ear margins, scratching gently at a dog´s ears will cause him or her to move one of its hind legs in a scratching motion. A competent pet care service provider would know this, as well as knowing the treatment for mange and other skin ailments.  Find a pet care provider in your area today at Sunshine Help for bathing, grooming and other services you need. If you are a pet care provider and want to market your services, register today at Sunshine Help.

Here´s a great home remedy for the contagious mange: a 1:10 blend of lavender to almond oil. Apply topically and make sure your dog is getting a well-balanced diet.  Yellow dock tea is another topical remedy. Use either daily for three weeks and then once a week for two to three weeks. If there is no improvement, see your vet for microscopic analysis of skin infections. A good homeopathic remedy for the immune-deficiency mange is Echinacea, Cats Claw or Astragalus plus a good diet.

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