Stray dog scratching, losing hair. Is it mange? What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Can I give kiwof plus to a stray dog for mange treatment ?... I know it's dewormer but I'm not sure if that dog if suffering from mange or not.... But he has been scratching himself from many days and almost all of his hair have fallen off
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 23rd, 2019
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I do not recommend that you start any therapy without confirming this diagnosis with a veterinarian first. While mange is possible, other diseases such as allergies for example need to also be considered and these are treated differently. Best of luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 22nd, 2018
Such severe itching and hair loss may indicate mange but it would require skin scrapings to confirm. I would recommend using a long acting flea treatment called bravecto, which may also help with mange and lasts for 3months. If no reduction in itching occurs, then full investigation would be required and given that many chronic skin cases can be very uncomfortable and require life long medication these dogs can be very difficult to rehome due to both poor quality of life and significant, ongoing treatment costs which is why euthanasia may need to be considered if his condition cannot be resolved
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I think my dog has mange
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Mange is usually defined as either Demodectic or Sarcoptic mange. The difference is determined by seeing the mite under a microscope. Your Vet will perform a skin scrape and look at that under the microscope. Scabies is contagious, so your dog would have gotten it from another infected dog or from a fox den. The lesions are usually on the ears, elbows and hocks but if it goes untreated for a long time, it can be anywhere. They are VERY itchy! Demodex is a mite that naturally lives on the dog but over grows due to an issue with the immune system. It is not contagious and can be itchy. The hairless areas can be anywhere on the body. Based on your pictures, mites are possible but so are allergies, an infection, a hot spot (superficial bacterial infection) or even ring worm. Sadly a lot of different skin conditions can look exactly the same! I'd take Otis in to your Vet and have them look and do some tests. I hope this helps and good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is losing his hair, he's a golden retriever. He keeps on scratching at munching his skin because of itch.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. Other possibilities include something like mange for example. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dachshund keeps itching and biting at himself. Dry ears, bloodshot left eye. Mangey Skin. I thought it was food allergy but doesn't seem to be. He has all the necessary shots and we ckean his ears. How can I help him?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Skin issues like you are describing can have a variety of causes, including skin parasites (fleas or mites), allergies, an infection, or an underlying medical issue (Cushings disease, diabetes). I would recommend he be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his skin lesions, have any necessary testing done (bloodwork, skin scrape, culture) and start on any treatment that he may need. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Can I use a solution of gamma benzene hexachloride (1% w/v) plus cetrimide (0.1% w/v) on my dog who has hair loss at several places all over his body with itchiness and red spots, since I suspect scabies even though I use permethrin soap for his bath
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. Medications for scabies should not be used without a proper diagnosis. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does n
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I just got this dog. Hes a rehome. Staffy purebreed He doesn't seem to be stressed or anything but has thinning fur patches especially in some.ofthe high friction areas which are concerning. They are not itchy . We were told he has a wheat intolera
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. It is difficult for me to say exactly what may be going on with Ty just based on your description. Areas of hairloss can be due to so many different things. That being said, I do think you are correct to be concerned about mange. It is very common in that breed. Mange is not always itchy. The best thing to do is to get him to your vet for an exam. It would be a good idea to have him examined anyway since he is a new pet to you. I hope this helps. Best wishes!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Looks like my dog has Mange, his ear is red bled from scratching. Noticed scabs on the edge of his ear and flap
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Even though mange cannot be ruled out, this pattern would be more consistent with allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
About a month ago, my dog’s lids were swollen shut. Assuming it was allergies, I gave her some Benadryl. It cleared up but the hair around her eyes hasn’t grown back yet. Since then, she’s began to lose the hair on her mouth as well her armpits and b
Allergies and mange would be at the top of my list. A vet can easily check for intestinal parasites (mange) and then figure out a treatment plan for allergies if you don't have any parasites. There are many many different way to treat allergies, depending on how much you want to spend on medications/testing.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dogs hair is peeling off in a 1 inch size patch. The skin underneath is still there, so it is not an open wound. What could it be? I thought mange maybe?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Yes, mange is possible. Other possibilities include allergies, ringworm, immune-mediated conditions, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. In the meantime, if she appears to be scratching or licking at it, you can use an e-collar to try to prevent further injury. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi so my puppy was rescued from Georgia’s hurricane Irma and she ended having demodectic mange. The human society said it is gone and we should be good but she has been having some hair loss and her skin looks gray around her stomach/thigh area. I am
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This may be due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Pepper (20lbs, 3 months old) has been itchy as hell since the day we adopted her, and we have tried everything. Two different antibiotics, changed her food, using medicated shampoo, lots of omegas, and today I noticed she is losing hair on her
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for envir
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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