Dog Scabies
(Sarcoptic Scabies)

" Dog scabies is caused when a dog comes in contact with a diseased pet. The condition can be "localised" in specific areas of the body and if left untreated, spread into a "generalised" form which affects areas all over the body. Symptoms are red bumps or papules, itch, and a scaling or hardening of the skin if your dog scratches the bumps that form. The safest form of treatment is a
Lyme-sulfur scrub. Severe cases require prescription medications, although they have side effects in some dogs, so they need to be used with caution."

Symptoms of Dog Scabies

Scabies are characterised by papules (red bumps on the skin) and crusty areas that can be seen on the ears, ankles, face and elbows. If a dog is well groomed, it is possible that a dog has scabies, but does not have the red bumps or papules in a condition called scabies incognito.

Diagnosis of Dog Scabies

Your vet will make a diagnosis based on a review of your dog's symptoms and history. Skin scrapings may be helpful in making a diagnosis, however it is accurate 100% of the time. Other tests are also available, but if your veterinarian suspects scabies, he/she may recommend proceeding with at least treatment with a lime-sulfur scrub.

Treatment of Scabies on Dog

The safest form of treatment for scabies in dogs is to use a lime-sulfur scrub, with one treatment every 5 days until the condition clears. A scrub should be used in conjunction with a medicated shampoo that is made for dogs with mange (anti-acaricidal shampoo).

For severe generalised cases (where the mange spread over your dogs body), then glucocorticoid therapy may be helpful during the first 3 to 5 days. The prescription medications ivermectin, moxidectin selamectin. These medications can have side effects, so your vet may try a short trial to see how your dog tolerates the medication. Side effects include tremors and lack of muscle coordination (ataxia). Treatment lasts 3 to 4 weeks.

It is not unusual for your dog's condition to worsen during the first days of treatment. Depending on the severity of your dog's condition, treatment can be as short as 4 weeks to as long as 8 weeks.

Other treatment approaches including cutting the hair around the papules or lesions, cleaning any wounds and the use of antibiotic ointment to avoid infection.

Prevention of Dog Scabies

There are two approaches to preventing dog scabies. The first is to use a natural homeopathic spray on your dog's coat . The other is to thoroughly clean your dog's environment to make sure that it is mite free.