How to Treat Mange in Dogs at Home - Natural Remedies

Use antiseptic soaps on dogs to prevent mite infestations, such as benzoyl peroxide. This prevents pathogenic microorganisms from attaching to the skin, thus preventing bacterial skin infections such as pyoderma. An alternative to these special veterinary soaps is neutral soap. Although neutral soap is not as effective an antiseptic, it helps keep the skin clean and free of dandruff.

When bathing your dog, follow these recommendations:

• It is important to protect your hands with rubber or latex gloves, as some mites such as Sarcoptes scabiei can be transmitted to humans. It is also recommended to wear long sleeves after bathing your dog and wash your clothes immediately.
  
  
• After applying the shampoo, leave it on for a few minutes, ideally 10 minutes.
  
  
• Rinse the shampoo close to your dog's skin using a handheld shower head with good pressure. Aggressive rinsing will remove the residue of the mite infestation and stimulate the pores. Dry your dog with a towel and wash the towel immediately after.

It is advisable to perform these baths weekly until the symptoms disappear, which can take up to 6 weeks.

Apple cider vinegar has both antiseptic and antibacterial properties that will also help heal your dog and create a pH balance necessary for the skin to heal.

You can create your own homemade remedy by mixing 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of borax and warm water. Make sure the borax is completely dissolved before applying the mixture to your dog's skin and coat with a sponge. You can apply the same mixture in a spray bottle to smaller areas of your dog's skin and coat without bathing the entire dog. Then, let the solution air dry without drying it off.

Be careful not to get the mixture in your dog's eyes or mouth. Also, make sure your dog does not lick the mixture, as swallowing borax can be harmful.

Apple cider vinegar for the treatment of ear infections caused by mites

Apple cider vinegar can also be used to clean the ears, which acts as an antiseptic because it is bactericidal and fungicidal. Dogs with ear mite (middle ear infection caused by the mite Otodectes cynotis) usually have abundant dark, blackish earwax in the ear canal, which is essential to remove in order for the acaricidal drops to work. By using it as a supplement to the antiparasitic treatment, we can disinfect the outer ear and keep it clean of earwax and cellular debris caused by the infection, which increases the effectiveness of the antiparasitic drug.

Simply prepare a solution of water and apple cider vinegar in equal parts, soak a cotton ball with the mixture and gently clean the outer ear. Do not rinse.

Do not miss this other article if you want to learn more about other natural products to bathe your dog.

There are medicinal plants with acaricidal, bactericidal, and anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to treat mite parasites in dogs.

The following are some of these medicinal plants:

• Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia): Applied topically at a concentration of 1%, tea tree oil has a good acaricidal effect. To do this, it must be diluted in water so that it can be applied to the affected areas with a clean gauze. Please note that tea tree oil should never be administered orally, as it is toxic if swallowed.
  
  
• Neem oil (Azadirachta indica): is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the neem tree and has acaricidal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is best to apply it during baths. To do this, you can buy a special shampoo that already contains this oil, or you can mix 200 ml of the dog shampoo that you normally use with 10 ml of neem oil.
  
  
• Lavender oil (Lamiaceae): Its soothing properties help relieve itching caused by mites. In addition, it has antiseptic properties. To use it, you can add a few drops to your regular dog shampoo or mix one drop in a tablespoon of coconut oil and apply it on the affected skin areas.
  
  
• Aloe vera gel or pulp (Aloe vera): Its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help soothe the skin and relieve itching and irritation caused by mites. It can be extracted directly from the plant or purchased as pure aloe vera gel. This natural remedy for mites in dogs can be applied to the affected skin 2 to 3 times a day.
  
  
• Rosemary water (Rosmarinus officinalis): this aromatic herb contains camphor, a substance with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and astringent properties that help treat mite parasites in dogs. To prepare the rosemary water, heat 1 liter of water and turn off the heat once it boils. Then add a good bunch of rosemary sprigs and let it stand. When it is warm, you can put it in a spray bottle and apply it to the affected areas of the skin.

At this point, it is important to point out that "natural" is not necessarily synonymous with "safe." Medicinal plants contain active ingredients that are responsible for their therapeutic effects, but they can also have adverse effects if used improperly.

Therefore, before using any of these natural remedies against mites on your dog, be sure to consult your trusted veterinarian to avoid any negative effects on your dog's health.

In addition to the above natural remedies, there are many other things you can do to prevent and treat mites in dogs. Regardless of which treatment method you and your veterinarian choose, general cleanliness and a healthy diet will greatly reduce your dog's risk of contracting mites. Here are some more general suggestions on preventing and treating mites in dogs:

• Wash any sheets, stuffed animals, rugs, collars, leashes, or pillowcases that your dog used during the mite infestation.

• Separate the infected dog from other pets in a comfortable and safe place. Wash your hands and change your clothes after treating or grooming a dog with mites.
  
  
• Make sure your dog gets a balanced diet to boost his immune system and fight mange infections.
  
  
• Avoid busy dog areas to reduce the risk.
  
  
• Wash your dog's bedding regularly, whether there are signs of mange or not.
  
  
• Brush and comb your dog regularly, and trim their coat if necessary.

These recommendations also apply to other common external canine parasites. Do not miss this other article on types of external parasites in dogs to learn more.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

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