Ask the Vet About Mange (Demodex) in Dogs and Cats

There are many things that cause hair loss like that (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. PRescription medications from your veterinarian will work best and are a lot easier than over-the-counter remedies for contagious mange. Since it is contagious to humans, seeing your vet is ideal. Here is a good article about Sarcoptic mange, written by another veterinarian, from a site that I trust with various treatment options: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951492

There are many things that cause recurrent hot spots (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm

Often these dogs that have mange as puppies, have something else going on when they are adults (like allergies) so having your veterinarian recheck is ideal to see if something else is going on because the 2 conditions are treated entirely differently.

It has always been the case in veterinary medicine that a veterinarian that has met your pet face-to-face must legally approve a prescription, at least initially, so consult a vet that has met your pet and they may be able to do a telemedicine consultation with you to get that prescription to you.

It depends on which kind of mange they have (demodectic vs sarcoptic). Since you have 3, I'm going to assume sarcoptic, which is contagious, so a lime sulfer dip may help. If they are related and it's demodectic mange, that dip won't help. Your veterinarian will have much better, stronger medication though, so it is ideal for them to see at least one of them.

The shampoo and cephalexin are probably all she needs right now as long as they did treat her with something for the mange mites (like Nexgard or Bravecto or ivermectin, etc.). Here is a link to our article about treating demodectic mange: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/mange-treatment-dog-cat-9.html

I am solely a small animal (just dogs and cats) veterinarian so contact a veterinarian that specializes in exotics for help with your guinea pig. You can often find them at your local veterinary school or on websites like Justanswer.com.

I recommend either Nexgard or Bravecto - it is labeled for fleas and ticks but kills mites as well. Your "5x flea drops" won't help mange at all.

The only flea products that help kill mange mites are Nexgard, Bravecto and Simparica, so use one of those.

There are many things that cause itching (allergies, mange, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm

Tea tree oil does not help demodectic mange. Here is our article on various treatments for demodectic mange - it is old, so there are even more ways to treat it now including some of the newer flea and tick medications like Nexgard: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/mange-treatment-dog-cat-9.html

Yes, we call it Sarcoptic mange in them. Over-the-counter products don't work nearly as well as prescription, so seeing your veterinarian is ideal. Some of the newer flea and tick products cover mange like Nexgard and Bravecto. Here is a good article about it, written by another veterinarian from a site that I trust: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951492

A veterinarian that has met your dog face-to-face has to prescribe the Nexgard, so in checkout, fill in that veterinarian and/or company when it asks for your veterinarian. I am just a veterinarian answering medical questions for the site, so contact customer service if you continue to have problems. Here is their contact information: Toll Free Number (Call or Text) 1-800-PetMeds® (1-800-738-6337) Email Address customerservice@1800petmeds.com

It sounds more like she has allergies if your veterinarian prescribed prednisone. Prednisone is usually contraindicated with mange. Ivermectin helps mange but would not help allergies at all and could potentially be toxic and hurt so I would not recommend that. Consult the veterinarian for a diagnosis so you know what you are treating. Allergies can be frustrating because they continue to recur until you figure out what they are allergic to and often it is multiple things. The good thing is that there are a LOT of treatment options available now, many more than are listed in this article but here is a link to our article about treating allergies which starts by discussing "avoiding allergens" and lists many over-the-counter and prescription treatment options: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm

Metronidazole does not treat demodectic mange. It is usually used for gastrointetinal problems, so maybe your dog had this as well. Let me know what else your dog was given (some of the newer flea & tick medications help mange like Nexgard and Bravecto).