Aside from fleas and ticks, mites or mange could be responsible for your dog’s scratching. These parasites make the skin of dogs their home and multiply, and specific varieties may result in significant problems for your dog if they’re not appropriately dealt with.
There are several different types of mites and mange so it is important to be able to determine the difference. Finding the right cure for dog mange or mites is tricky as it’s not as straightforward as spotting fleas.
Surface Mites
There are two main types of surface mites that can typically infest dogs which are Cheylettiella mites and Harvest mites.
Cheylettiella mites live on the skin’s surface where they cause itchiness. These mites are often referred to as ‘walking dandruff’ because they appear light in colour and are large enough to spot walking about.
Skinny Dip Shampoo is an effective, topical treatment you can use while bathing your dog. Try using an Ekoneem Shampoo Bar as well while bathing your dog for extra insurance against mites.
Harvest mites, known formally as Trombicula Autumnalis, are tiny orange-coloured mites that are most active around the seasonal change in autumn. Harvest mites like to inhabit long grass and bushes and are usually picked up on walks when dogs come into contact with these.
Mange Mites
These types of mites burrow beneath the skin which makes them difficult to spot with the naked eye. They will need to be diagnosed by your vet, using a microscope and skin scraping before you look for a suitable dog mange treatment.
The two most common types of mange mites are Demodex canis which cause Demodectic mange, and Sarcoptes scabiei canis which cause Sarcoptic mange.
Demodectic mange – When a dog is suffering from malnutrition or their immune system becomes impaired they can become susceptible to overpopulation of Demodex canis mites. These mites live in the hair follicles of almost all dogs and they aren’t normally a problem as they eat dead hair and skin cells and don’t require a dog mange treatment.
If they become overpopulated however they can cause intensive hair loss and inflamed skin. This type of mange isn’t contagious and usually doesn’t cause intense itching. If you’re after a good dog mange treatment regime to combat Demodectic mange, use a tub of Resist!
It’s an effective treatment that helps restore your dog’s immune system. Once their immune system is back in shape use Billy No Mates herbal supplement to reduce the mite population back to its normal level over time. While there is no ultimate mange cure for dogs these products will see your dogs back to health.
Sarcoptic mange – This type of mange is highly contagious and intensely itchy, and it’s particularly dangerous because dogs can cause themselves permanent skin damage from scratching and biting. The Sarcoptes scabiei that cause this type of mange breed incredibly quickly and can cover your whole pet if they’re left untreated.
Before treating mange you should visit the vets with your dog so they can establish which kind of mange it is. If your dog does have Sarcoptic mange then it will probably need veterinary treatment straightaway to cure the mange.
Once the mange is taken care of then Billy No Mates is your best bet for preventing further outbreaks, it’s a natural treatment rather than a chemical pesticide which is preferable in a dog mange treatment.
For both types of mange, the Ekoneem Shampoo Bar will provide some relief and help to reduce itching as they contain neem and can help to cure dog mange. Organic neem oil contains antibacterial and antifungal properties but does not contain any irritants that are commonly found in most soap products like sodium lauryl sulphate.
Ear Mites
These mites live inside a dog’s ear and cause itching, irritation, and a dry crusty discharge along with frequent head shaking and ear scratching. Ear mites are contagious and can easily be transferred between dogs so if you have more than one dog it is likely that they will all need treatment.
You may also try using: Neem – Natural Parasite Killer
Products that contain colloidal silver work well to clean a dog’s ears. Use a couple of drops of Lintbells Silvercare Ear Cleaner in the ear and massage it in for about 30 seconds. Afterward, clean out the debris with Lintbells Silvercare Ear Cleaning Cloth.
General First Aid and Relief from Itching and Scratching
Ekoneem Organic Neem Oil – Excellent first aid for wounds, red sore spots, and bites. Apply in-between toes, under the arms, on the belly, and anywhere else needing attention but avoid the eyes and muzzle.
Ekoneem Shampoo Bar – Provides all-over relief from itching skin, it’s very gentle so you can use this one around the eyes and muzzle too.
Billy No Mates – Prevents ear mites in dogs and cats as well as fleas and ticks. Available as a dry herbal supplement or a liquid tincture. Billy No Mates is excellent if you’re looking for a natural parasite treatment that doesn’t contain the chemicals found in other treatments.
Yumega Plus – A natural blend of the finest Omega 3 & 6 oils from cold-pressed Golden Flax, Starflower, and fresh Salmon oil.
