Ask the Vet About Mange (Demodex) in Dogs and Cats
As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Dym has over 19 years of experience and dedication to enhancing the overall health and well-being of pets. His commitment and passion for pet health continuously drives him to learn more about the art and science of homeopathy through ongoing training and education.
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Question:Please fill this prescription for me . I can’t take Cash to vet . He’s too heavy for me to lift
Answer: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.
Question:What can I buy online that is effective for the mange I've tried home remedies they help but don't solve it and can't afford vet bills
Answer: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.
Question:I am fostering a puppy with very severe demodex mange. I can do a benzoyl peroxide shampoo in 3 days, and she gets Cephalexin 2x/day. She may have had some type of treatment at the Humane Society yesterday when they got her. I'd there anything I can do in the meantime to make her more comfortable? Can I use any antibiotic creams, or olive oil, or anything for the open bleeding sores and dryness? Or a t-shirt? Or any supplements for her food ? Or better just left as is?
Answer: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
Question:2 mini pigs that both are outdoor pigs living in Florida. They both are developing flaky itchy skin and I'm worried it may be mites. What product can be given to remedy this? Is it something that can be purchased at tractor supply/feed store or do I need a script? (Because there are no vets within 200 miles of me that see pigs.
Answer: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.
Question:I have 2 little chihuahuas. 4 and 6 months old. I been using 5 x flea drops for couple months helps for couple days .and I put coconut oil ribs on them. They have these little red mites all over them .not loosing hair just look like have bad case dandruff. I need help please.
Answer: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.
Question:I have 2 little chihuahuas. 4 and 6 months old. I been using 5 x flea drops for couple months helps for couple days .and I put coconut oil ribs on them. They have these little red mites all over them .not loosing hair just look like have bad case dandruff. I need help please.
Answer:The only flea products that help kill mange mites are Nexgard, Bravecto and Simparica, so use one of those.
Question:Hello, I am pretty sure that my cat has mange and I am unsure how to go about treating it. At first I thought it was the stress of a new environment causing hair loss. Then the itching started to increase as well as the grooming. I checked for fleas and found none. The skin does not seem to be dry or scaly. Her face is not puffy or oily. No other animals in either households she lived has mange so she may have gotten it outside. I hope this information helps in some way.
Answer: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
Question:How do I use tea tree oil on my dog to kill demodex mites?
Answer: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
Question:Can my dog get scabies? What treatment is there for this?
Answer: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
Question:I met with one of your affiliated vets for a prescription over the weekend and I was never contacted to get our Nexgaurd. Please help
Answer: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
Question:Bea is a rescue we've had for about 18 months or so. It seems that we are constantly dealing with it. She is always perscribed antibiotics and prednisone which sucks for a number of reasons. I hate using a cone but she will literally try a rip her skin off. She is an amazing dog and due to Covid I am not able to take her back and forth at $200 and sometimes more for vet costs. They keep giving her the same meds etc. Please offer a solution. A friend recommended Ivermictin from Tractor Supply but I'm mot sure how to dose her. Any suggestions???
Answer: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
Question: Dog is getting metronidazole for demodex mites treatment 10mg per lbs twice daily. How long the treatment should last?
Answer: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).
Question:Hello, My dog is a 5 year old Labrador Retriever. When we got her from the shelter, they informed us she had mange and gave us the proper medication for it. After a month, I took her in for a checkup and they assured me she was healing properly and did not need another round of medicine. Now it’s been about two months since that check up and along her neck, she has lost all of her fur and she itches it like crazy. Is this mange again? And how do I treat it?
Answer:It is certainly possible but there are other causes of itching (like allergies) so since these are treated entirely differently, it is ideal for your veterinarian to run some quick tests and determine the cause so you can appropriately treat it. Prescription medications work much better for mange as well, so you can get those while you are there if that is the cause.
Question:Hello Doctor, I have a 10mth old mutt who weighs 12kg and is on ivermectin 2mg twice weekly. Just this week, she has started scratching again. My question is should the dosage be increased? She is currently using benzoyl peroxide shampoo twice weekly apart fr the med. Earlier, the vets that I went to diagnosed her as having ringworm and yeast infection, prescribed a fungal cream and, the other vet diagnosed her as having allergic reaction to the bleach I use to clean her area, prescribed antihistamines. My mutt didn react to the med and continued to itch until I noticed the ear flap lining were a bit bumpy which led me to suspect she had mites infestation. Just this week, she is starting to scratch her neck, belly, chest to the extend that her skin breaks and turn red. I am glad the bumps on her ear flap lining has disappeared. Pls advise my next course of action to terminate demodex mites permanently.
Answer:I can't tell if she was definitiely diagnosed as having demodex - it usually isn't super itchy. Sarcoptic mange is itchy. Either way, they both can be treated successfully with Ivermectin, if that is what your veterinarian prescribed. Consult with them about adding either Nexgard or Bravecto now if she is still having problems.
Question:My rats have mites . How do I treat them so I can still feed them to my snake ?
Answer:I am solely a small animal (just dogs and cats) veterinarian so contact a veterinarian that specializes in exotics for help with your rat & snake. You can often find them at your local veterinary school or on websites like Justanswer.com.
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