For the Love of Vets

Your Dog's Itching Could Be Caused By Mange That Needs Treatment From A Veterinarian

27 June 2022

Erin Steeves

If your dog is itching constantly and you don't see any fleas, the problem could be mange. This is a condition caused by tiny mites that infest your dog's hair follicles. Mange can become serious and make your dog miserable. The mites can even be spread to other pets and humans. A veterinarian can treat mange and bring your dog relief. Here are important things to know about mange in dogs.

Symptoms Caused By Mites In Dogs

Mites are irritating to your dog's skin, so your dog will probably scratch constantly. The scratching can lead to sores on the skin and infections. Your dog's hair may fall out, and your dog may start to look unhealthy and miserable. Your dog may also stop eating and lose weight. Take your dog to a veterinarian when they first start scratching excessively and before their condition becomes severe.

Ways Mites Are Spread

Mites spread when dogs are in close contact. If you have a dog that goes outside, they can pick up mites from wild animals. If your dog has a suppressed immune system, they are at a higher risk of a bad case of mange. Since mites spread, it's important to keep your dog isolated from other pets and people while they are undergoing treatment. Other animals in your home may need to be treated for mites if pet bedding and your home is already infested.

Treatments For Mange

A veterinarian can diagnose mange by your dog's appearance and by taking a skin test. They can look for the mites on the hair follicles to verify their presence. Mites are so tiny that you can't see them with your bare eyes, but they can be seen under a microscope. Once your dog has been diagnosed with mange, it's important to begin treatments that work throughout the life cycle of mites. Your dog may need to be on treatments for a few months to clear up mange and heal.

Treatment for mange involves a couple of approaches. One is to kill the mites, and the other is to treat skin problems caused by scratching and infections. Your veterinarian may have you give your dog a dip bath and apply topical treatments to your dog's skin. These treatments kill the mites.

You might also need to give your dog antibiotics for skin infections and apply ointment to sores. Your dog may also need oral medication to kill the mites. Once the mites have been killed and your home has been cleared of mites, your dog will stop itching and scratching, scabs will heal, and your dog's hair should grow back.

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