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My dog has generalized demodectic mange. Can I treat it at home?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Male | 1 year and 3 months old

My dog has generalized demodectic mange and I was wondering if there are any ways to treat him at home

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 26th, 2017

Unfortunately, the only home treatment you can for for this are soothing oatmeal baths, but thus is only a palliative treatment and will not do anything to treat the mange or any secondary bacterial infections that he likely has. Especially if the mange is generalized as you say, it is going to require prescription medication to kill the mites. Your pet may also need prescription antibiotics as a deep bacterial infection is common with generalized démodéx This usually requires several weeks of treatment and can extend up to a few months.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 26th, 2017
It depends on if the mange is localized (in one area of the body), or generalized. Localized demodex mange does not typically require any treatment, and 90% of cases resolve in six to eight weeks. Generalized demodex mange involves treating any underlying systemic illness, antibiotics for skin infection, amitraz dips, milbemycin, and ivermectin, which is given by the veterinarian. Ivermectin treatment has to been given for 90-120 days, and should be used for one month past resolution of symptoms. Amitraz dips should be given every two weeks for between six to 14 dips, and should continue for one month after mites are not found on skin scrapings. They cannot be given to toy breeds or puppies younger than four months of age. I would have your dog seen by a vet if it is suffering from demodex mange.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

How to treat my dog's demodectic mange with affordable home remedies?

It is hard to treat with that extent without seeing a vet. He would need a skin scraping to diagnose it. The best thing at home is a weekly bath in a shampoo that has benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient as this flushes the hair follicle. A vet can prescribe a monthly or once every 3 month medication to help get the mange under control if that is what they see

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What over-the-counter shampoo soothes my dog's demodectic mange?

Use an oatmeal type bath. This will help to moisturize the skin. You may also ask your veterinarian about using a special prescription shampoo which can help to clear out the pores and may be somewhat effective against the mites (though you need to continue your current treatment). I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

How to support my dog during mange treatment and reduce side effects?

It depends on which type of mange you are actually treating. You are supplementing his skin well. The only other thing you can add is a weekly bath to help the skin and clean the coat. For demodex mange it is best to use a benzyl peroxide shampoo while scabies mange can be treated with any shampoo as it does not have to treat the deep hair follicles

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy has mange. Can I treat it at home without a vet visit?

Unfortunately not. Mange has to be diagnosed by a vet by looking for the mites under a microscope. It is then treated with prescription medication and the vet will need to ensure the infestation is all clear before discontinuing treatment. It's also best to have a vet evaluate him, because it's possible that Cinnamon could have another condition besides mange.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has scabies. How can I help with at-home treatment options?

Hi there! Scabies is generally fairly easy to treat. Your veterinarian should prescribe a medication such as Bravecto or ivermectin, which will clear it up without any problems. I'm not aware of any over-the-counter remedies that are effective, so this is best left to your veterinarian to treat :)

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has Demodex mange. What's the next step after shampoo?

Very good information. Yes you are correct that topical shampoo with Benzoyl peroxide is a great addition to therapy to rid the mites. The next step would be to get her an oral treatment, which in my opinion the best and easiest way to treat Demodexx is to give her Bravecto or Nexgard. These are flea/tick preventatives, however they are also labeled for Demodexx treatment and can be given once very 1-2 months to treat Demodexx. The other way to treat Demodexx, which in my opinion is a lot more time consuming and costly, is daily Ivermectin 1%. Both these treatments will require a veterinary prescription first, so it is best to get Nu'u seen by a veterinarian if she hasn't already. It is also important to get repeat skin scrapes every 2-3 weeks during treatment to monitor her progression and also this helps you determine when she can go off her medication.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy has mange. Can I treat it at home without a vet visit?

I am so sorry to hear that your puppy Soturi has mange. This can be common in puppies. I understand the cost of veterinary care can be difficult at times, can I suggest exploring this resource to help find affordable pet care? http://m.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html Puppy is itchy and uncomfortable for Soturi and does need medications which are prescribed by a veterinarian to help. An oatmeal bath may help make him temporarily more comfortable. However, the infection will only go away with medicated shampoo from the vet. Best of luck to you both.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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