Combating Mange and Scabies in Dogs and Cats

This is very common skin infection of dogs and cats, kept under unhygienic conditions. The infection can easily be seen among the street dogs and is communicable to other pets coming in contact with such animals.

Causes of Mange/Scabies

• Unhygienic living place
• Presence of mites and fungus on the body
• Unbrushed dirty hair coat
• Allergic conditions
• Worm infestation may also be a factor
• According to the latest report by the researcher, a human parasite Strongyloides stercoralis is also responsible for causing mange in dogs.

Clinical Symptoms

• Falling of hairs in patches
• Scratching and rubbing of the body
• Granular eruptions all over the body with constant itching and uneasiness

Treatment of Mange/Scabies

• Deworm the pet with suitable dewormer containing piperazine or albendazole suspension.
• Clean the body with Petmasol or Samglow soap and water and dry it with a clean towel. Clip the hairs if required and remove the debris present. Pet Ben shampoo can also be used in place of soap for cleaning the body.
• Use of benzoyl peroxide shampoo after clipping the hairs and dry the coat. Then apply freshly prepared solution of Amitraz or Deltamethrin with sponge for 10 minutes. Now wash the body and get it dried. Repeat if necessary. Apply hair cleaner (Erina or Pet Ben) at the dose rate of 15 ml in 30 ml water over the body and wash after 5 minutes. Now apply Taktic (4ml per litre of water) at weekly interval for 4 weeks and one tablet of Immunol twice daily for 4 weeks or till complete recovery.
• Application of Ascabiol Emulsion or Golden lotion over the body is also useful. Ascabiol should not be used in cats. Dilute Ascabiol with equal amount of water and apply for 5-7 days.
• Alternate dosing with Magsulph and Sulphur is also beneficial.
• Injection of Scabiesma (1-2 ml intramuscularly, twice a week), Milk-Iodine (Siolan), Prepalin Forte (2 ml intramuscularly, once a week) and oral dosing with preparation of Vitamin A (Arovit Tablets) and B-complex (1-2 ml intramuscularly) on alternate days are also effective in curing the disease.
• For secondary infection with ulceration, use Ampicillin injection daily for 3-4 days. For smaller dogs and cats, dose can be reduced according to their body weight.

• Itching can be controlled by Avil injection or tablets. Injection of Largactil or Siquil is also effective for checking irritation.
• Three injections of Ivermectin 0.5-1 ml subcutaneously at an interval of 7-14 days may cure the mange and scabies. Decomax is equally effective.
• Application of Betadine, Hydrogen peroxide, Ether, Iodine, Gentian violet, Nebasulf or Neosporin powder and skin ointments over the oozing patches is also recommended.
• Give protein rich diet to such pets.
• Application of Neem oil and Olinall skin lotion is also effective.
• Antihistaminic Anthisan, Vallergan (for cats), Phenergan (0.5ml intramucularly), Prednisolone, Vetalog, Decadron, Betnesol injection may also be administered.
• A synthetic pyrethroid ‘Butox’ (Deltamethrin) 0.1% in oil base followed by 0.6% and 0.4% in aqueous base for topical applications over the body are sufficient to cure this infection.
• Gamaderm (Lindane lotion) is also effective. Apply over the lesions and leave it for 24 hours before another bath. May it be repeated after 4 weeks if required.
• Dog’s skin is most sensitive to histamine-releasing allergens. Use of antibiotic ointment and application of weak tea over the lesons and oral steroids have been found quite effective.
• Herbal combinaions containing turmeric powder, garlic, onion and lemon extracts, Karanj oil and camphor is also good for local application.
• Give antibiotic: Amoxicillin or Cephalexin thrice daily for 7-10 days by oral route to prevent bacterial infection.
• Capsule of Vitamin A, D, E and B complex and iron may be given as supportive treatment.
• Take 25 gm of Boric acid, 25 gm of Sulphur, 5-10 ml Kerosene oil and 25-30 ml coconut oil. Mix together and rub over the lesions after bathing with Neem soap.
• Avoid use of corticosteroid in Demodicosis. Treatment with Amitraz at the rate of 0.025% dipping solution every week for three months has been found quite effective.

Homeopathic Remedies for Mange

• Psorinum 30: Once a week
• Mezerium 30 for itching
• Arsenic alb. for bacterial invasion
• Urtica urans 30 for allergy
• Staphysagria for flea bites