Providence, RI - Natural Awakenings

naturalpet
MANAGING
MANGE
Treatment Plans that
Speed Relief
by Dr. Matthew J. Heller
mutt” may seem a
benign enough term for a
“Mangy
sorry-looking pooch, but
behind the poor appearance can lie
a troublesome health condition that
causes many species of domestic animals,
including cats, discomfort if not
properly treated.
Mange is typically caused by tiny,
parasitic mites that feed upon the pet
for nutrition, compromising the host’s
health. Some burrow under the skin
to lay eggs, which hatch and restart
the mite’s life cycle; others stay on the
skin’s surface and feed on pet dandruff.
Common Types of Mange
Various types of mange share common
symptoms: In infected areas, hair loss,
redness, itching, irritation and scabs
typically occur; more seriously, a pet’s
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skin may harden to a scaly condition. If
untreated, mange can transform a dog’s
skin into an uncomfortable, leathery
and brittle organ. Stay alert to such appearances
and act quickly.
Sarcoptic scabies mange results
from microscopic, oval-shaped,
light-colored mites that migrate easily
between hosts. Prime
real estate includes a
pet’s ears, elbows,
thighs, face and
underside of
the chest.
Symptoms include severe itching and
scratching that creates red bumps
amidst crusty, thick skin, weight loss,
lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. It
takes about one week after a pet has
been exposed to them for symptoms
to appear. Unlike demodectic mange,
sarcoptic mange can be transmitted to
humans, causing a red rash similar to
an insect bite.
Pets that suffer from demodectic
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mange typically already have a weakened
or compromised immune system,
sometimes because of immaturity (such
as puppies), malnourishment, stress associated
with another illness, or even a
hereditary issue. Under a microscope,
demodex mites appear cigar-shaped.
Common symptoms include hair loss,
balding, scabbing and sores. Dogs are
more susceptible to both types than cats.
Localized demodectic mange
usually occurs in puppies when mites
migrate from mother to pup during
early nurturing. In puppies, the mange
often appears on the face, creating a
patchy, polka-dotted, balding appearance.
Generally, pets will heal from this
type of mange without treatment. Generalized
demodectic mange presents a
greater challenge, because it is spread
across large areas of the skin. The pet
may emit a horrid odor from secondary
bacterial skin infections.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If a pet shows symptoms of mange, consult
a holistic veterinarian for proper diagnosis
and treatment. Once diagnosed,
it is vital to implement a full treatment.
For cases of sarcoptic mange, this entails
replacing the pet’s bedding and collar,
plus treating all animals with which the
pet has been in contact.
Conventional treatment options
vary. The irritating toxicity of most
antiparasitic medications, such as
ivermectin or selamectin-based products,
makes them effective in destroying
mites over several months but also
creates problems for the pet if used
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