Dog Mites - Dog Mites & Mange, Mites on Dogs & Puppies, Dog Mites Treatment

Dog Mites

Mites are generally microscopic parasites that excavate their ways to your dog's body through the hair follicles or various oil glands in the epidermal layer of the skin. Your downy pet may be reduced to a patchwork of damaged skin and shabby hair, if it gets infested with mites. Also known as 'Mange'; mites on dogs may lead to conditions like acute hair loss, severe skin infections (accompanied with inflammation and itching), and sometimes to various terminal diseases also. Normally, all dogs have a certain population of mites thriving on their body. The condition gets exacerbated only when the immune system of the animal fails to retaliate the multiplying mites, thus leading to severe outbreak and unchecked reproduction of mites on the dog's body.

Type of Mites
Generally there are two types of mites that may infest your dog.

Demodex Mites
Demodex Mites are responsible for the severe skin disease called 'Canine Demodicosis' in dogs. These miniscule vermin are generally white and oblong. They spend their entire lifecycle in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the host and feed on various skin debris, cells and sebum. Mite-infested nursing bitches generally transfer these mites to their offspring.

Sarcoptic Mites
These mites are also known as 'Scabies' and are more troublesome than the Demodex Mites. They thrive on the hair follicles of dogs and lead to intense skin-itching (also known as 'pruritus') and a variety of other skin infections. Sometimes, dry skin lesions and severe hair loss in your dog may be the result of Sarcoptic Mites. They might even invade the skin of healthy dogs and puppies.

Symptoms of Dog Mites

Alopecia or unexplained hair loss

Bleeding from various skin abrasions and fissures

Cracking and scabs in the skin

Reddish or swollen skin

Severe skin itching or 'pruritus'

Home Treatment for Dog Mites
Learn these various home remedies that can effectively cure mites on your dogs.

Apply dusting powder or medicated ointment that helps to cure various bacterial skin infections.

Feed him capsules containing zinc, selenium, vitamin E and vitamin C. Consult your veterinarian.

Feed him cod-liver capsules thrice a day.

Feed him with fresh water or boneless canned fishes. Avoid fishes that have high mercury content (like tuna and swordfish).

Feed your dog few tablespoons of plain yoghurt after every meal. It is effective in fighting intestinal bacteria and parasites.

Give a good diet to your dog. Include lots of green leafy and cruciferous vegetables to his diet.

Maintain proper hygiene when it comes to your dog. Make sure you give him a proper bath every other day with a medicated shampoo.

Sprinkle a teaspoon of sesame seed oil on every meal that you give to your dog. It helps in proper immune function and skin repair.

Various organic herbs like Olive Leaf Extract, Kyolic Garlic, Cat's Claw and Flaxseed Oil help fight bacterial infections. Include them in his diet.

You can apply various topical treatments on the affected areas. A mixture of lavender oil, neem and almond oil is very effective.

You may consult your veterinarian regarding different dips and oral medication that are available for fighting mites on dogs.

Remember that you cannot make the life of your pet perfect. But you can contribute a lot towards his happiness, by making sure that he leads a healthy lifestyle.