Sarcoptic Mange

Question
QUESTION: Hi Kristen, I noticed you have a GSD in your profile.  I now own my 4th GSD.  Odette is a very well bred dog and the love of my life!  We have one very tiny problem, mange.  I have been to three vets ranging from local to specialist and finally to the University.  I have had her on revolution, ivermecten, other heartworm meds.  It seems like I can get the buggers under control but not dead and gone.  I won't dip her.  I think the risk is too great.  The only hair loss is on the tips of her ears, they look a bit lacy.  I use some natural sprays I found on the web that seem to make her ears more comfortable that with frequent baths...but I want this to be gone for good.  I keep all bedding rotated and washed, my floors and carpets steam cleaned, everything she comes in contact with is regularly washed.  

HELP!  I'm hoping you have that small missing piece to my mange puzzle!  This will be my next search and rescue dog.  I want to get back to work with her, but I don't want to expose any other dogs to this.  I only wish other dog owners had been as considerate of us!  I can only guess as to where or how we picked this up.  Any thoughts on how to stay mange free in the future?  How about additional information on immune support?  What have you had work for you?

Thanks for the 411!  Denise

ANSWER: Denise, I want to make sure what type of mange we're dealing with. Do you know for a fact that this is sarcoptic and not demodectic mange? How long has she been suffering from it and how old is she? I don't blame you for not wanting to dip her; it's very hard on their bodies.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, I have done skin scrapings, several, and have been told several times that it is sarcoptic mange.  Odette is now 3 and we have been battling this for the last almost year now.  I am missing something...Thanks for any little bit you can offer.  I am grasping at straws.  Denise

Answer
I'm just a bit concerned that you've been dealing with this for so long, Denise. Does she have 'outbreaks' anywhere other than her ears? Typically, dogs with scabies have outbreaks on their ears, armpits, and belly, where the hair is very thin to begin with. Generally, it only takes a few weeks to remedy the problem, after treatment starts.

Were you administering the ivermectin orally or was it being injected? While it works orally to treat demodectic mange, it is injected to treat sarcoptic mange.

How often were you applying the Revolution. To treat sarcoptic mange, it should be applied every 2 weeks, rather than once-a-month, but you can often see results after the 2nd application, so you should not have to continue administering it this frequently for more than 2 months.

Sarcoptic mange is spread from dog to dog, so at some point, your dog had to have come into contact with a dog that had sarcoptic mange already. Continuing the use of Revolution, once monthly, should prevent your dog from contracting the disease again, because it will kill the mites before they are able to burrow into the skin and lay their eggs.


You can give immune boosting vitamins, such as B-Complex (not high potency), Ester-C, and fish oil with vitamin E. Give one each of the Ester-C and B-complex, daily. Give 1000mg of fish oil for every 10 pounds of your dog's weight, until the mange is gone, and then you can lower it to 1000mg for every 30 pounds. 500IU of vitamin E daily should also be given. Natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) is better than dl-alpha tocopherol, but it can be difficult to find, and is more expensive. I get my fish oil and vitamin E (the natural kind) from Sam's Club. Do not get the enteric coated fish oil gelcaps, because the dog's body cannot break down that coating.