How to Recognize and Treat Mange

By mjpolitis

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Scalpel blade
Slide
Microscope
Mineral oil
Visit to veterinarian or other health care practioner

Step 1:
Be aware of what 'mange' is. In dogs, it is a skin disorder most often caused by 'Sarcoptes', a small crab-like insect you can't see with the naked eye which hides out in the woods and hitches a ride to town on the back of your dog. Be aware that it is contagious, and causes 'flaky' skin which causes itching and then often bacterial infection, inflammation and occasionally fungus infection afterward.
Step 2:
Know your dog's behavior and biology. Is the dog itchy? Does it have 'crusty' or dry skin? Is this most prevelant on the tips of the ears, on the chin and neck under it, or between the toes? Does hair on the skin in these areas or others feel 'rough'? If so, then consider that your dog has mange. Do a skin scraping (or have a vet do it). Basically, this involves scraping the affected areas with a sharp blade, and collecting the hair/debris in a drop of mineral oil, and looking under the microscope for presence of crab like organisms. If you see one, be aware that you have 'mange' or a disease like it. If you don't see them, you still could have mange.
Step 3:
Give the dog a shampoo, one which is commercially made to get rid of ectoparisites (bugs) being the ideal type. After the dog is dry, give the dog appropriate topical ivermectin which comes in the form of 'Revolution' (obtainable through a vet or vet supply shop). Give once, the repeat in 21 days to kill all of the ectoparisites at all of their life-stages. Do not give ivermectin or Revolution to Collies or dogs with Collie blood in them!!! (it causes marked lowering of blood pressure and death...an episode on 'House' this season actually used this tragic fact). Be sure that the dog is heartworm free (with a heartworm test) or is currently on heartworm preventative before giving Ivermectin or Revolution, as it can be deadly if there is any adult heartworm around.
An alternative treatment to this to inject ivermectin solution under the skin, the same solution which is given to cattle and horses, but in doses right for a dog (usually 0.8 cc per 100 pound dog, 0.08 cc per 10 pound dog) once, then repeat in 21 days. This is cheaper than Revolution (or analogous products), but comes with some risks.
Step 4:
Be sure that you and your other animals wash with an appropriate shampoo and are not itching.

Tips & Warnings

The power of suggestion with 'itchy' diseases is very strong. The mention of 'mange' in a room with a dog suspected of having it evokes scratching in the owner of the dog and everyone else in the room.
Skin disorders are complicated. Something can start off as mange, then become a bacterial infection, inflammation or fungal infection or even allergy once the protective barriers of the skin are broken down.
Ivermectin or topical ointments that contain it can kill Collies and should not be used in dogs with history of seizures.

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