Alternative Treatments For Sarcoptic Mange?

[dogmatic]

My dogs are exposed to feral animals in their daily life. The vet thinks that's how they've got mange. With the older dog, a single dose of Selamectin cleared it up in a few days. It seemed like a miracle after a month or more of insane scratching. It has never bothered her again.

When a new dog got mange, I dosed them all, cleaned the bedding, etc. However, this time wasn't so successful, so they were dosed again a month later. At the same time I started using Pure Lavender Oil. Ears, elbows, underarms, fore-chest were all given a good rub with cotton balls dipped in the oil. It's amazing how much dirt comes off and she smells sweet for an hour or so afterwards. The small scabby bits cleared up, and the lost patches of hair have grown back nicely. However, she still goes into an occasional manic scratching fit around her elbows and sometimes her ears. It looks to me that she still has some traces of sarcoptic mange and one of her elbows is developing a callus as a result.

I don't like washing the dogs. I've had one "stinky" and found that the best treatment for her is a good daily brush. But I'm open to suggestions.

[Alyosha]

Have you tried Ivermectin? You could check with a vet as to dose rate etc.

[dogmatic]

Have you tried Ivermectin? You could check with a vet as to dose rate etc.

Sometime ago, we used Ivermectin for heartworm treatment. I suppose I could ask the vet again. Thanks.

[Guest Ams]

Scabies is zoonotic so it is important that all animals and people in the infected household are treated. Selemectin (Revolution) is recommended to be applied fortnightly for Sarcoptic mange, rather than the monthly administration usually used for fleas. I had a rescue dog arrive with it and it took nearly 3 months of fortnightly treatments to get it under control.

Treatment

While sarcoptic mange is difficult to diagnose definitively, it is fairly easy to treat and a number of choices are available.

REMEMBER, ALL DOGS IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE SARCOPTIC MANGE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED SHOULD BE TREATED.

Ivermectin - This is one of the most effective treatments against Sarcoptes scabiei yet it is off-label as far as the FDA is concerned. There are several protocols because of the long activity of this drug in the body. Typically an injection is given either weekly or every two weeks in one to four doses.

In most cases this treatment is safe and effective but some individuals have a mutation that makes ivermectin toxic at the doses used to kill mites. These individuals are usually in the Collie family: Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Australian Shepherds are classically affected. There is now a test that can determine if any dog has the mutation that makes ivermectin use dangerous. An additional caution comes from an interaction with the relatively new flea control product Comfortis® (spinosad). Relatively high doses of ivermectin are needed to treat sarcoptic mange and if Comfortis® is used concurrently, ivermectin side effects are more likely to occur. While ivermectin is a prototype compound upon which most other sarcoptic mange treatments are based, it may be worth using a product that has actually been approved for the treatment of sarcoptic mange.

Selamectin (Revolution®) - Selamectin is an ivermectin derivative recently marketed for dogs for the control of fleas, ticks, heartworm, ear mites, and sarcoptic mange mites. Normal monthly use of this product should prevent a sarcoptic mange problem but studies show that to clear an infection, for reliable results an extra dose is usually needed after 2 weeks. This product is probably the best choice for Collie or Australian shepherd breeds.

See more information from the manufacturer on Revolution.

Moxidectin (Advantage Multi®) – Moxidectin is yet another ivermectin derivative. In Advantage Multi, it is combined with imidacloprid, a flea-killing topical, to create a product used against heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and fleas. In the U.S. this product is not FDA labeled for sarcoptic mange but it is in other countries and should still be effective even though technically it is off-label.

See more information from the manufacturer on Advantage Multi.

Milbemycin Oxime (Interceptor® or Sentinel®) - Milbemycin oxime is approved for heartworm prevention as a monthly oral treatment (as either Interceptor® or Sentinel®). Happily, it also has activity against sarcoptic mange and several protocols have been recommended by different dermatologists. This is another medication that you might find recommended.

See more information on Interceptor from the manufacturer, and see their page for Sentinel.

Dipping - Anti-bacterial or anti-itch shampoos precede one of several anti-mite dips. Mitaban dips (Amitraz) or lime-sulfur dips given weekly are usually effective. Disease typically resolves within one month. Dipping is labor intensive and rarely done any more as the other products are easier and more rapidly effective. We mention dipping since it has been a standard mange treatment for decades prior to the introduction of ivermectin.

In the Meantime

During the time it takes to control the mite infection, the pet will be very itchy. Control of secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics is important. Also, since the body's reaction to the mite is one of hypersensitivity (essentially an allergic reaction), a cortisone derivative is worthwhile to quell the itchiest symptoms. Ask your veterinarian about whether either such a prescription is appropriate for your pet. As for anti-itch shampoos, rinses, and other forms of itch relief, see itch-relieving ideas for additional suggestions.

Date Published: 1/1/2001

Date Reviewed/Revised: 08/09/2011

Source: My link

[dogmatic]

Just quoting from the Revolution (Selamectin) Product Sheet:

"For the elimination of Sarcoptic Mange (sarcoptes scabiei), Revolution should be applied once and is highly efficacious as a single dose. A second monthly dose of Revolution may be required for complete elimination of mites in some dogs."

I can vouch for the single dose efficaciousness the first time I used it, but not so the second time. There seems to have been some other factors at play, so I'm looking for an alternative to try. I'm not worried about the safety of the drugs per se. However, I would be hesitant to use the drug outside the manufacturer's instructions. Thanks.

My first thought was a lime-sulpur wash. Has anyone tried that?