tashakc78

Question
my puppy has been itching around his belly i am afraid it might be mange, but i dont have the money right now to take him to the vet. what r the symptoms because i am now ithching also, what can i do

Answer
Hi Tasha,

There are actually three varieties of mange in dogs: Demodectic, Cheyletiella and Sarcoptic. They are caused by different species of mites, tiny eight-legged creatures related to spiders.

There's also the possibility that your dog has something else, like Ringworm, or another skin condition.

Demondectic mange is usually found in puppies from 3-12 months old.  It's the easiest form to treat, but it's not contagious to people. If you're also itching, then it's not
Demondectic mange, and it's not treatable at home.

That leaves Sarcoptic mange (also known as scabies) and Cheyletiella both are contagious to other animals and to humans. Ringworm is also contagious to other animals and to humans.

You can read about Sarcoptic mange symptoms here:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1589&articleid=764

You can read about Cheyletiella mange here:
http://anythingpet.blogspot.com/2006/04/cheyletiella-mange.html

If you know that your pet has an infestation of Sarcoptes or Cheyletiella and think that you also may have contracted the mites, it is advisable to seek attention from a physician.

Trying to self diagnose and self-treat at this point can only prolong the infestation, since you don't know which condition you're dealing with.

Because affording vet care is a problem for you at the moment, here are some options in finding affordable vet care:

Contact your local shelter. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs. You can find the name and number of your local shelter in the Yellow Pages of your phone book under "animal shelter," "animal control," or "humane society," or by calling Information.

Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front.

Contact the regional office of The Humane Society of the US (HSUS) that covers your state. Their regional office staff is often familiar with organizations and personnel within their territory and may be able to direct you to programs in your area.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti