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Puppy has mange symptoms: hair loss, eye issues. Is it serious? OTC help?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | 38 lbs

I think my puppy has demodectic mange. He's about 4 months old. Around his eye is usually wet. He has lost hair around one of his eyes and some on the top of his head. His eye is getting kind of swollen and looks like it's getting red. I feel so bad for him but I was just laid off and can't get him to a vet. Will this go away on its own? Is there something I can get at Tractor Supply? Is this the same mange that kills dogs?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on September 28th, 2017

Hi and thanks for your post.

Demodex mite infection can be occur in younger dogs and may spontaneously resolve as their immune system becomes more mature. Demodex mange is not typically itchy but sarcoptic mange is.

The area of hair loss around the eye in the picture does look suspicious of demodex mange but you will want to get this confirmed with your veterinarian first. A skin test in needed to accurately diagnosis demodex manage in dogs.

If it is demodex, unfortunately, there is nothing over the counter at tractor supply you can purchase for this. You veterinarian may give you a prescription medication for the mange if necessary.

Either types of manage (demodex or sarcoptic) typically is not fatal unless there is a more serious underlying condition at play. Both types are treatable.
Vote Icon2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 2nd, 2018

    It could be allergies but it could also be demodic mange (skin mites), i would recommend having it checked by your vet, these mites can easily be seen under the microscope and treatment is also very straight forward and simple.

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    4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 11th, 2017

    I am sorry to hear about Chubby's problem. One of the possible causes for this condition would include skin mites or mange, in particular with the hair loss around the eyes we would be concerned about demodex mites. A visit to the vet is needed to do a skin scrape to check for the mites. They can also check for a bacterial or fungal infection. Depending on their findings, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment. The traditional treatment for mange is a drug called ivermectin or a dip called amitraz. There are newer drugs, however, marketed as flea and tick preventatives that are easier to administer that are now being tried for demodex mites. These include Nexgaurd and Bravecto. You may ask your vet if these are available in your area. More detailed information on demodex can be found at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=630, but remember, without an exam we cannot confirm that demodex is the problem.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 7th, 2017

    Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. I would recommend having this looked at by a veterinarian to have more testing done. More specifically, I would recommend having a skin scraping of this area to rule out demodex skin mites as a cause of the hair loss, especially in such a young puppy. If confirmed, Demodex is quite easily treated using multiple different medications. If it is not Demodex, it may be a bacterial skin infection or allergies. Either way, I would recommend having further testing done to help determine what the cause is and what the most recommended treatment should be. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My dog has mange. Can home remedies help or should I see a vet?
First, you need to make sure this is mange. There are 2 types of mange....Demodectic mange is typically found in young puppies or adult dogs with seriously compromised immune systems. Sarcoptic mange can be found in dogs of any age, but is more common in dogs that live outdoors. It is extremely itchy and typically has patterns of hair loss and rash on the edges of the ears, along extremities. The photos you included are not a clear suggestion of either type of mange. There are no successful over the counter remedies for mange. It would be best to see your vet for a proper diagnosis. Your pet may be suffering from allergies, a skin infection, or other issues. Once you know if your dog has mange and which type....they are treated with different medications... or if your dog has something else.. .your veterinarian can get you started off on the right treatment plan.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Dog losing hair in patches. Is it demodex? Any over-the-counter help?
Poor guy. Based on the patchy areas of hair loss, this may be demodex. YOu will need to visit your vet to have him tested and then treated with prescription medication. There is no over the counter oral medication for demodex unfortunately. There may be some shampoos available at your local petstore. but topicals alone wont' resolve demodex in dogs. Another possible cause for these lesions is allergic dermatitis. I hope that Spade's skin issue resolves soon! Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My puppy had mange. Why is he losing hair around his eyes again?
If it was for demodex mange then it can never be cured. They can always have flare ups since it is a hereditary problem. Typically once you get it under control, the hair will fill back in. If they get sick or stressed then they can have a flare up. I would have him rechecked to see about continuing the medicine
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
My dog has a skin disease and eye infection. Could it be mange?
I recommend to have a skin scrape to check for mange. This is an easy test which will generally yield results. Some vets will also use an oral flea prevention product off label once the pet is old enough. Puppies will commonly get eye infections as well although a scratch on the cornea or other eye condition could also be the cause of the infection. I recommend to have Jimmy examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My puppy won't stop itching; what's causing this persistent skin issue?
The only way to definitively diagnose mange (Demodex) is by skin scrapings which should be repeated every 2-3 weeks during treatment until 2 negative skin scrapings are found. Make sure that the flea and tick medication prescribed will also treat mites (milbemycin or moxidectin) and keep in mind that the dosage frequency is different for mite treatment than it is for flea preventative. Treatment needs to continue for 1-2 months after there is a negative skin scraping. Steroids are usually contraindicated in treatment of Demodex. Demodex mites are not contagious to other animals so your other dogs may not be affected.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Can you tell if my puppy has demodectic mange just by looking?
I would be very suspicious of mange just looking at this. However to truly diagnose Demodex requires a deep skin scrape as this mite lives very deep in the hair follicles. It could also be due to ringworm as well as a bacterial skin infection.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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