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How safe are mange treatments for my 12-pound puppy's immature body?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | French Bulldog | Female | unspayed | 6 months old | 12 lbs

We are taking our puppy to the vet to be checked for puppy mange..she acts totally normal, no itch, but has bare spots..my concern is the treatment, is it safe to use a one size fits all treatment on a 12 pound puppy? I worry about toxins in her immature little body..

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on December 17th, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Twerp! If Twerp has demodex, it will not be a "one size fits all" treatment. Classically demodex was treated with oral ivermectin which is dosed based on the animals weight. It is a higher dose of ivermectin than is in heartgard and is off label use of the drug. It works well and the dog tends to be on it for several months until 2-3 negative skin scrapings. Now a days we have found that the oral flea and tick medications have an added "perk" of also killing demodex. You just give the monthly oral dose like it is labeled to give for flea and ticks and by 3 months the fur usually has grown back and the mites are gone. Nexgard, Simparica and Bravecto are the oral medication that can do this and again are based on the weight of the dog. I hope this helps and I wish Twerp the best!

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