What is mange? My pitbull puppy(ies) have mange, what the best way to treat it? How to get rid of mange? What's the best cure for mange?

So it's been a few weeks and Toot and Roxy are getting along quite well, partners in crime are more like it! And within these few weeks Toot has been having major hair lost. The family and I went to Petsmart and a employee told us it could be from my mother bathing her too much, being that she does it more than twice a week sometimes and it could have possibly irritated her skin. Or she could be allergic to something outside or even inside the house that she is rubbing herself on. So we went ahead and got some Hot Spot treatment oil that he recommended (the guy from petsmart). So tell me why while we're rubbing Toot down with the treatment oil my mother would rub Toot with Apple Cider Vinegar saying that it cures it. Don't get me wrong I've seen online that it helps with some skin conditions and mange. They say it only takes 2 days for it to start showing progression BUT that didn't work for Toot! Keep in mind we still hadn't known what was REALLY wrong with her. She was still behaving her normal hyper self and everything so we didn't think it was mange. Turns out we went to the vet and both Toot and Roxy have mange. Even though Roxy doesn't show any symptoms or any hair loss "they" (at the vet) say she has it too.. So we went ahead and let them get treated. They are now in the vet as I type this. We took left them at 9:54am they say to pick them up around 1:00pm. In the mean time here is information on mange and how to treat it from home.

What is Mange?

Mange is caused by mites found on dogs. Veterinarians and dog owners normally call mange canine scabies. It is typically a parasitic infestation caused by small, microscopic mites that have invaded the dog's body. Typically, the first signs of mite infestation include severe itching and eventual hair loss on your dogs.

Toot on 5/16
No sign of mange

Toot on 5/20
Can't really tell right here,
but her hair was no where as
bad as it is now.. poor thang!

Toot and Roxy on 5/21
You can see how Toot hair around her
forehead was starting to disappear

Toot on 5/31

Toot on 5/31
my baby need a taupe

There are different types of mange. They are determined by the kind of mite that infiltrates the dog to fulfill its reproductive cycle. The most common types of manges are:

Sarcoptic Mange- As the name suggests, sarcoptic mange comes from sarcoptic mites. These mites are among the most contagious mites that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Only high-powered microscopes can see them. Worse, they not only affect dogs, but other four-legged animals as well. 

Sarcoptic mites are one of the most destructive parasites because they can spread themselves all over the animal's body, causing life-threatening diseases. A single sarcoptic mite can live on its host for as long as 22 days. They reproduce massively, increasing the danger of general mange infection. 

The most common symptom of sarcoptic mange is the constant scratching of the pet that eventually develops dry, scaly, and crusty skin. The scratching is followed by hair loss on the affected part, exposing the wounded part of the skin. 

Sarcoptic mites are very contagious to humans. As such, care should be taken when handling pets with sarcoptic mange.

Demodectic Mange - The mite responsible for this mange is called the demodex canis mite. Unlike sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange is not as severe. The mange usually attacks puppies aged three to nine years old, and usually, the puppies that get infected spontaneously recover from it as they grow older and as their immune systems strengthen. 

Puppies that get affected by this mange usually contract reddened face or feet --- that's why its other name is Red Mange. The parts of the dog where the infection commenced would be exposed, so there will be hair loss in those areas. The only difference from the sarcoptic mange is that the dog will not feel any itchiness at all. Also, unlike sarcoptic mange, demodectic is not contagious to humans. 

Demodectic is life-threatening. Just the same, it is always advised that you take your pet to the veterinarian for treatment.

Cheyletiella Mange - Cheyletiella mites are responsible for this type of mange. Unlike other mites, cheyletiella can be seen by the naked eye. They also produce scales and flakes and are sometimes referred to as walking dandruff. 

Cheyletiella mange is highly contagious both to humans and to other dogs. Like sarcoptic mange, scaling, crustiness, and hair loss on the affected part are common symptoms. If your pet has this mange, bring him to the veterinarian immediately.

Toot's on 5/31
bad case of mange :(

Toot on 5/31
and her bad case of mange :(

Roxy on 5/31
Can't tell she has mange huh?
The vet 'says' she does!

Toot on 5/31 again

Toot on 5/31

Toot on 5/31 

Roxy on 5/31
smiling for the camera :)

Roxy 5/31
I have mange?

Any who I've been looking on line and done some research on mange and here's some tips on how to cure mange:

First find out what kind of mange you are dealing with!

You CAN treat mange from home and here 

are few ways to do it.

How to treat mange?

Treating dog mange will usually depend on the severity of the disease and the type of mite that caused it. Here are some tips to make your dog's life easier.

First weigh your puppy/dog to know how much she weighs.

You need to get some ivermectin from a feed store it will look like this or it could be another brand. It will range in price from 23-50 dollars depending on where you get it from. Because of the laws in the US the vets can only tell you to use it orally once a week. Studies have been done and in other countries it is given daily for 2-3 weeks. I have had success with advice from my vet off the books with using it every other day for 3 weeks. The dosage is 1/10 cc per 10lbs of body weight, if you can not calculate it by yourself then post her weight and I will do it for you. Everything you need including syringes will be sold at the feed store or you can order them at lambert. It tastes horrible so I mix it with a little wet food and give it orally. It burns if you do it subQ so it is easiest to give it orally. 

Ivermectin Injectable, 50 ml - Wormers - Lambert Vet Supply

If your dog is really bad you need to dip your dog. You should dip your dog in prolate.

Prolate, 1 qt - Insecticides - Lambert Vet Supply

Prolate = topical insecticide for livestock 

You can purchase at Prolate®/Lintox®-HD from Lambert Vet Supply 

It is 1 ounce of Prolate to 1 gallon of water. Put into a spray bottle to spray on body. Use a sponge to put around eyes, nose, mouth and private area. 

3 x a day for 2 weeks2 x aday for 1 week1 x aday for 1 week 

You then simply spray down your dogs being careful not to get it in the eyes or mouth of you or your dog. You can also use the spray as a kennel spray to eliminate all mites located in the kennels, dog runs, dog houses, or other sleeping areas. Not to mention also your house if the dog is in the house.

The Prolate dip/spray works wonders on sarcoptic mites, ear mites, lice, and even ticks. You can also use mite killers on your dog.

Then your dog should be on antibiotics because of the skin infection that is going on from scratching. You should put her on Cephalexin you can get it without a prescription it is called fish flex. It is the exact same medication just bottled for fish use, it really is a scam who they do that!

Give her 1 pill 2x a day and I would do it for 14 days because she is so bad. How much does she weigh again? I need to make sure the dosage is right but get the 250 mg pills they are cheaper and good to keep on hand anyway.

I'm very on edge because of Cephalexin pills and their side effects. I'm so worried about them taking it, but I mean if it's supposed to heal them then so be it..

Side Effects of Cephalexin:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

seizure (convulsions);

fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

confusion, agitation, hallucinations (seeing things that are not there); or

urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious cephalexin side effects may include:

mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

dizziness, tired feeling;

joint pain; or

vaginal itching or discharge.

Fish Flex, 250 mg Cephalexin x 100 Capsules, Non-prescription - Non Prescription - Lambert Vet Supply

Next for her itching you can help her by giving her Benadryl. You will give her 1-2mg per 1 pound of body weight. The pills you buy at the store are normally 25mg pills so if she weighs 40 lbs you can give her 50mg which is two pills. You can give this 2 times a day and the reason it helps is because the body releases histamines into the system when they scratch the skin like that. ( It is more technical than that but you get the point) Benadryl helps with the itching for Mange while they are going threw the healing process. 

Mange is a immune system issue so you need to build the immune system back up so do not give her anything like steroids or vaccines while she is recovering. Those will weaken her immune system and make recover longer. Make sure

 your dog has a good diet. A healthy diet is essential for dogs to maintain good health and resist infection.

You HAVE to be dedicated to the treatment. In about 2 weeks you will see improvement and in 4 weeks the improvement will be really noticeable but it takes time and you can't skip a treatment.

With proper care, hygiene, and diet, your dog should be mange-free in no time.

Follow the dosages carefully and you'll be fine. 

Ok, so we finally went and picked up Toot and Roxy and they have been tested and they have Demodectic mange. We have to take them back every week to make sure the treatment and medication is working. The vet prescribed some Cephalexin pills that they have to take twice a day. I don't know how we are going to afford all of this. I'm only a student in college sheesh! Just for the vet to see one of them is $35. The skin test for one is $35 the shots they have to get when they went was $18 a piece and on top off all of that it's $25 per week for one of them and then however much the medication is. I mean really? Sheesh! I hope Toot and Roxy get well fast or I won't be able to keep them. I'm going to have to put a donation button on this blog to help out or something, because this is breaking the family and I! Anywho below is a video of Toot and Roxy upon getting home. While they were at the vet we sprayed down the house and cleaned everything that they sleep or play with and things in that nature. As you can see in the videos the medication the vet gave them had to be working for them to be itching so much!