Dog Shampoo For Mange Buyer’s Guide
Dogs are a man's best friends and that’s why you will find them in most households around the world. The canines are kept for several reasons. However, a majority of us love them as pets. Dogs can also be used for security and law enforcement. The health of your dog is probably one of the most important things. A healthy dog is a happy dog and this will give both of you a great experience.
You can easily find countless dog shampoos in the market right now. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know which shampoo is perfect for your mange suffering dog.
Well, here are the five things to always consider before you buy a shampoo for mange:
Is It Medicated Or Not?
Medicated shampoos are those that contain benzoyl peroxide and other essential active ingredients that can penetrate the top layer of the pet’s skin to kill adult mites and their eggs. Medicated products are often more effective.
This is quite similar to flea collars and flea treatments, whereby the medicated options are usually more effective.
Natural Ingredients
Mange causes the skin of your dog to grow itchy and irritated. The last thing you want under such a situation is to pump it with more chemicals. In that case, look for mange shampoos that feature an all-natural list of ingredients in their formulations. Make sure you also avoid shampoos that contain drying agents like soap and alcohol. Even small traces of harsh chemicals can make the itching or irritation worse.
Canine probiotics supplements can also help with managing mange.
Moisturizers
One of the symptoms of mange is skin dryness. The problem can get so severe, affecting the skin health of your pet immeasurably. When you are buying mange shampoo, you may want to make sure it has considerable moisturizing agents. Proper hydration is essential in accelerating skin healing. Some of the common moisturizing agents to look for in dog shampoos for mange include oatmeal, coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe vera.
These moisturizing agents are also commonly found in dog shampoos and dog conditioners.
pH Balance
The dog’s skin has a different pH compared to our skin. This is why you should never use human-based shampoos on dogs. The natural pH level for the dog’s skin will often range between 6.5 and 7.5. However, Mange and the symptoms that come with it may cause the pH to vary significantly. Products that help to restore this balance are highly recommended.
Anti-Parasitic
Many mange products will have specific ingredients designed to treat the condition. But if you can buy shampoos that also have anti parasitic elements, then you should go for it. Remember that it’s all about taking care of the skin holistically, and anti-parasitic products will even help prevent future mange occurrences.
If you wish to help your pooches to heal faster from mange, consider getting them an Elizabethan collar. This helps to minimize your dog from scratching or biting the affected skin areas.
Types Of Mange
There are three types of mange that affect dogs. However, one of them is quite rare compared to the other two.
Sarcoptic Mange
Sarcoptic mange is often caused by Sarcoptes Scabiei, a highly contagious mite that thrives in the dog’s skin and lays eggs. As the eggs hatch, the problem becomes widespread very quickly. Some of the symptoms to look out for include hair loss and crusty red sores.
Demodectic Mange
Demodectic mange is a less aggressive form of the disease that is caused by the Demodex canis mite. The condition is also known as the puppy mange or the red mange. Demodectic mange is most common in smaller younger dogs.
Cheyletiellosis Mange
The Cheyletiellosis mange is caused by the C Yasguri mite. This form of mange is, however, very rare. It is also more commonly referred to as the "walking dandruff".
When To Use Medicated Shampoo?
The shampoo is highly recommended even if your dog is still healthy. Using shampoo once every few weeks can act as a preventive measure. It may also help to keep the dog clean at all times. Therefore, it is essential to groom your dog regularly such as brushing its teeth, combing its hair and bathing at least once weekly.
In the unfortunate event that your dog has already been hit by mange, the first thing would be to consult a vet. Regular washing with medicated shampoo will also be required. But don’t use the products daily. Dog shampoos can also be irritating and as such, using them in small amounts is very important. Additionally, if your dog has certain allergies, make sure you buy a shampoo that doesn’t make them worse.
What Happens When Mange is Not Treated?
If mange-causing mites are not taken care off as soon as possible, they will continue to cause more skin irritation to the dog. Your pet will scratch aggressively until the hair falls out. When the dog loses a huge patch of its hair, it will take longer for it to heal and recover even with treatment. Untreated mange may also lead to other secondary dangerous infections too.
