Mange is a common skin disease that affects pets like birds, cats, and dogs caused by external parasites called mites, some of which appear naturally in a dog’s fur, while others can be harmful. The veterinarian treatment involves the use of heavy chemical poisons to kill the pathogens and chemical ointments. Some may be wary of using such potent medicines on their beloved pets. In some cases, immediate mange treatments for dogs may not be reachable. Knowing how to treat mange in your dog at home using these tried and tested mange cures will prove beneficial in all possible scenarios.
What causes mange in dogs?
- Exposure to an infected animal in the park or on the road.
- Unclean fur, lack of proper and timely baths.
- Infection from the mother to the pup in unhygienic breeding conditions.
- Insanitary caging in puppy mills, shelter houses or pet shops.
- Sharing objects such as blankets or quarters with another infected dog that doesn’t show any symptoms yet, especially in a household with multiple pets.
- Trimming shears and towels in pet salons.
- General mange can be hereditary in some dogs.
What are the primary symptoms of mange in dogs?
- Severe itching that is localised or generalised depending on the kind of mange infection.
- Hair loss and scab formation especially at the armpits, elbows, ears, chests or belly.
- Sores and further infection resulting from the constant scratching and itching.
- Additional infection by yeast and bacteria because of sores causing strong musty odor.
- Red pustule formation in the later stages with yellow pus like crust.
- Constant ear itching resulting in swollen ears and bruised ear tips.
- Eventual loss of weight and general lethargy.
- Skin pigmentation, thickening, and fold or wrinkle formation in later stages.
- Severe darkening of skin and enlargement of lymph nodes in advanced cases.
Here are 15 useful and clever home remedies that have been proven effective to get rid of mange in dogs which you can use to cure your pet.
- Use borax
Borax is a commonly found household disinfectant that is very effective in killing fungi, insects, and worms. In fact, it is a key component of many popular laundry soaps and is as such easy and cheap to acquire. Be sure to not use boric acid which is also used commonly in homes to kill roaches because it can be potentially corrosive for the skin of your pet. Sodium perborate is a particularly potent form of borax for curing mange in dogs. Use borax in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water to apply on the affected areas.
- Make a mixture with hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide cleanses the affected area by adding extra oxygen to the equation and making the skin unfavorable for the mites to survive. It is also a natural disinfectant and is easily available in a solution with a 3% concentration. It has to be diluted to 1 percent constituency with water for the treatment of mange in dogs. Add three spoonfuls of the aforementioned borax to the mixture and wait for it to dissolve in the diluted peroxide properly. Then apply to the infected areas first and to the rest of the body subsequently. Do not wipe clean. Let the mixture soak in. Repeat till results become evident.
- Honey
Honey is one of the most beneficial naturally occurring substances. Honey can be applied directly to the affected areas on your dog. It is a very effective antioxidant home remedy which makes it difficult for the mites to survive along with reversing pigmentation and folding of the affected skin. It is also a natural antiseptic and has the remarkable cleansing potential for the skin of humans and dogs alike. Just make sure you keep the ants off your dog.
- Water
It may seem rather obvious and simple home remedy. But timely and proper baths with a little bit of careful scrubbing in not only curing mange but also keeping the mites away in the long run. Water is the most overlooked component in the mixture of borax and hydrogen peroxide. Forgetting to dilute the hydrogen peroxide can damage the fur and skin of your pet.
- Sterilize
Cleansing must aided with frequent sterilisation of your dog’s belongings like blankets, quarters and toys. Boiling the objects that can be boiled is a good idea. For other objects use a mild cleanser or just wash thoroughly with water to make sure your pet is not freshly contaminated by any pathogens that may have been present. It is important to clean both your dog and its surroundings.
- Aloe Vera
The fact that aloe vera is a great cure for skin disorders is hardly a secret. It can help soothe infections and irritations. The incessant scratching and itching because of the mites as well as the extensive skin treatment your dog receives can cause great discomfort to it. Apply aloe vera after your usual borax and peroxide bath to soothe your dog.
- Lemon juice
Lemon is high on acid content. This can kill the microscopic parasites and also help in healing the damaged skin. But if applied directly, the dog might feel a burning sensation because of the open scabs. Boil water with sliced lemon in it. And give your pet a sponge bath with the concoction instead.
- Garlic
Garlic isn’t particularly good for your dog in general. But adding a small slice of it to your pet’s meal may help get rid of the blood sucking mites. You can also add the chopped garlic to the lemon bath to rinse our dog with.
- Apple cider vinegar
Raw and unsaturated apple cider vinegar is the easy home remedy that can be applied topically to the affected areas for getting rid of mange. One tablespoon in your dog’s food can prove to be a powerful cure for mange. It can also be used in conjunction with borax to form a mixture which can then be applied. Make sure your dog doesn’t lick it off, though. Borax can be harmful when ingested
- Neem oil
Neem oil can be used along with apple cider vinegar or the borax and peroxide mixture or alone. Neem has varied dermatological benefits. It treats the infection, cleanses the skin, nourishes and soothes it as well as helps in faster regrowth of fur.
- Arnica, Yellow Dock or Calendula tea
These ancient herbs can provide much needed relief to your mite infected pet. Arnica has strong medicinal properties and can treat swelling, bruises, and scabs. Calendula tea can also help calm inflammation of the skin. You can boil these herbs and use them to rinse your pet with it several times a day.
- Yogurt
Yogurt can clean and nourish the affected area. Use it directly on the crusted skin, it is especially recommended to clean out the insides of your dog’s ear. Gently rub it on to the scabbed area and rinse it off at the end of the day. Use it along with honey and apple cider vinegar to get good results.
- Cooking oil
A few drops of cooking oil can be easily dispensed from the kitchen for the well being of your dog. Applying it to the affected areas alleviates the waxy oozing and deposits on your dog’s skin and helps provide relief from the constant itching. It can help cure mange by actively killing the mites by creating an unfavorable environment for them as well.
- Olive oil
The consistency of olive oil itself can kill mites by forming a thick coating on the skin and blocking out their air supply. It can be used to clean out the tricky insides of your dog’s ear too. In addition to killing the parasites, olive oil also soothes the affected area.
- Colloidal silver
Colloidal silver has vinaigrette like properties. So it can be substituted with a mixture of vinegar and neem or olive oil. It can be applied directly to the affected areas including the insides of the ears to cure mange in dogs. It can also be put in the water for the daily bath.
Some useful preventive measures
- Washing your dog’s bedding frequently for getting rid of mange.
- Wash your dog frequently and thoroughly.
- Brush and comb your pet’s hair and check for mites in the process.
- Avoid canned and packaged products.
- Provide a healthy diet rich in vitamins.