How To Treat A Dog With Mites
Introduction
If you’re a dog owner and you care about your pup’s health, you should be on the lookout for mites. Mites are tiny bugs with oval bodies that invade the skin of dogs, causing irritation, scabs, rashes, and bald patches. They can be spread by contact with other animals (including other dogs), or they can spread from the environment itself. It’s important to check your dog regularly—especially if it spends time in a kennel or doggy day care—and treat them quickly once you identify their presence. Here are some of the best methods to try:
Take your dog to the veterinarian’s office.
The first step to treating a dog with mites is to take your dog to the veterinarian’s office for a diagnosis. The vet will be able to determine which type of mite is causing your pet’s symptoms and prescribe the appropriate treatment. In addition, many veterinarians will recommend a flea and tick prevention treatment that can help prevent re-infestation.
Examine your dog’s skin.
To examine your dog’s skin, look for redness, itching and hair loss. Look for scabs, bumps or other signs of irritation. Examine the skin carefully because mites can burrow deep into the skin and cause it to appear normal on first inspection. Check the ears and mouth in particular as these areas are common sites of mite infestation. The face and neck are also likely places where you will find them if they are present in your dog’s coat. If you see discoloration (other than white patches caused by demodex), it may be a sign of mange or scabies which need medical treatment from a veterinarian immediately!
Investigate your home.
It’s important to investigate your home for signs of mites. The best place to start is with your dog’s bedding, toys and furniture. Look for:
- Shed fur, especially in large quantities
- Small brownish or reddish-colored bugs that are moving around quickly
- A slightly musty or sour smell coming from the area where the dog sleeps
Bathe your dog in oatmeal shampoo.
To bathe your dog in oatmeal shampoo, you’ll need:
- Oatmeal shampoo (can be found at pet stores or online)
- A tub or bucket that’s large enough to comfortably fit your dog
Dip your dog in a solution of Lyme disease dip, if available.
Even if you have access to Lyme disease dip, it’s not a cure for mites. It will kill the mites on your dog’s coat, but it doesn’t prevent them from coming back or keep them off of other animals.
You should also be aware of what we call “dip shyness.” Some dogs don’t like dips and may learn to avoid them in the future if they’re dipped too often. This can result in more work for you in the long run as you try to treat their mite problem without having to dip them again and again.
Apply medicine to your dog’s skin following the manufacturer instructions.
To treat a dog with mites, you’ll need to apply medicine to the skin. To do this, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and make sure that the medicine is safe for your dog. The next step is to apply it to your dog in the recommended area and dosage, as well as at the recommended frequency.
Use a flea comb on your dog to remove as many remaining mites as possible.
Using a flea comb is one of the best ways to remove mites from your dog’s fur. Flea combs are available at pet stores, and they’re very reasonably priced. If you don’t want to purchase a flea comb, you can make one yourself using a pair of scissors and some long, thin plastic or metal stripping from an old credit card or gift card.
To use a flea comb on your dog:
- First, brush their fur thoroughly with a regular brush or sponge that has been dipped in warm water (to remove any dried blood or dirt). Dry completely with an absorbent towel.
- Next, remove any remaining mites by gently parting their fur with your fingers until you reach the skin underneath (do not touch their skin directly). Poke gently around each part of their body using just enough pressure so as not to hurt them but sufficient enough that if there were any mites attached they would come loose easily when pulled away from the skin (you might hear them drop onto whatever surface they land on). Repeat this step several times over different areas until no more mites can be removed easily; then move on to another section of fur where more may remain hidden until discovered later!
If you keep up with treatment, eventually the problem will resolve itself.
If you keep up with treatment, eventually the problem will resolve itself. In most cases, a mite problem will be resolved within two to four weeks of treatment. However, sometimes it may take longer for your dog’s symptoms to go away completely. If your dog is still scratching a year after being treated for mites, talk to your veterinarian about possible reasons why this could be happening and whether additional testing might be needed.
Conclusion
Oops! Click Regenerate Content below to try generating this section again.