Canine Scabies
Things All Dog Owners Should Know About Canine Scabies
It is hard if not impossible to tell the difference between canine scabies mites that originate in dogs, verses other mite species that select a human host. It is a fact, however, that you can get scabies from a dog. They can also spread to other animals, including cats. (There is also a different mite specific to cats). Mange causes painful itching and scratching, and patches of the dog’s fur fall out.
Diagnosis is also tricky because skin scrapings taken by the vet may not contain the mite even though the dog has it. In these instances, they will try a treatment to see how the animal responds.
Scabies prefer areas with less fur such as the belly, ears and armpits. If the dog is near a heater, or in a hot climate, the mites get worse.
Mange or scabies in dogs is easy to eliminate, but must be done over time to be completely eradicated. It can crop up year round, unlike seasonal fleas. The mites live on the host, your dog, for their entire lives (about 2 weeks). If the dog scratches profusely it could get pustules, scabs, generally red and sore skin. Scabies can also lead to bacteria and yeast infections. Each problem needs to be treated separately.
Older treatments were usually sulfur dips. These are still used and they do work. But there is a danger of harming the dog while applying around the ears and face, where a preponderance of mites live, and it can be toxic to people. Further, older dogs or those with existing health problems cannot usually accept this treatment.
A newer treatment favored by vets is a once a month application of selamectin or similar medicines. There are also kinds of frontline that are effective for scabies, as well as fleas and in some cases, tics. Dogs can get scabies in areas where dogs gather, such as dog parks. Because the fox is another host used by canine scabies, fox habitats and pathways are also a transmitter of scabies.
The dog’s living space and surrounding area must be treated with a spray or other elimination method, as scabies does not need a host. They persist without a host for several days indoors or in other warm places, and 20 days or more in cool areas outdoors.
Other dogs being exposed to the infected one must also be treated. From the time mites attach and lay eggs on a dog, it takes 2 weeks before the dog begins to itch.
To lessen adverse environmental impact, some families prefer to use an alternative remedy. The following advice, including an easily mixed skin treatment, can solve the problem for many dogs.
Feed the dog liver – it strengthens the immunity to scabies mite
Do not feed any starchy food (both caned and dry food with fillers contain starch)
Wash Fido every 3 days in the following mixture: 4 cups of water, 8 TBS of borax soap, 2 cups hydrogen peroxide. Get the dog fully wet with the solution and allow it to dry. It kills mange mites.