Scabies in dogs is a skin disease that causes severe itching accompanied by patches of hair loss. This is one of the dog health problems in which the affected skin turns red and shows the presence of rash accompanied by formation of lesions (bumps on skin). Although scabies generally occurs in dogs, it can also affect other animals such as cats. The most commonly affected body parts are the chest, belly, ears and the legs.

How to Treat Scabies in Dogs

Fur Trim: Before the actual scabies treatment for the dog begins, its long hair (if any) has to be clipped to ensure that topical treatments reach the affected areas. This is essential for the treatment to be effective.

Medicated Shampoos: Doctors often recommend shampoos as dogs respond quite well to this form of treatment. These shampoos contain insecticides that help to kill these mites. As there are a number of medicated shampoos available over the counter, the dog owner will have to consult a veterinarian to choose one that suits the dog's health the best.

Injections: Drugs for this skin disease include Selamectin, Frontline Plus, and Revolution, that are very much capable to eliminate scabies. Selamectin is injected or taken orally and found to be safe in dogs. Selamectin is a convenient way to treat the condition as the medication is administered once a month and also does not produce any side effects.

Other drugs that are administered subcutaneously (below the skin) include Moxidectin and Ivermectin. For Ivermectin to be effective, 2 doses of the drug are injected every 2 weeks. However, veterinarians usually do not recommend Ivermectin as there are few side effects associated with it, making it a risky choice.

Lime Sulfur Dip: Lime sulfur dip is a solution containing 97.8% lime sulfur. The solution is diluted by adding 4 oz of lime sulfur to a gallon of water. Once it is done, the diluted form is slowly poured over the dog, ensuring that the infected areas of the skin completely soak in the solution. Let the solution remain on the skin and do not wash or dry the animal. The dog owner must wear a pair of gloves while giving their pet a lime sulfur dip. Also ensure that the dog does not consume the solution.

Treatment Plan for Scabies in Dogs
Firstly, bathing the dog with a medicated shampoo as advised by the veterinarian is necessary. Then, removing the dust and dirt from the skin wounds (lesions) followed by clipping the hair, will help to prevent secondary infection. Dips of lime sulfur every week are recommended, until the skin problem goes away. Depending upon how severe the infection is, the doctor may also advice to administer Selamectin.

An easy way to prevent recurrence of scabies is that the environment should be kept clean. The place where your dog sleeps should be sprayed with an insecticide or a pesticide to keep mites at bay. The dog grooming tools must be cleaned daily. In case the dog is sleeping in the house and does not have a separate dog house, then all the carpeted areas need to be treated with insecticides. This is because, mites thrive and grow at a rapid rate in carpets. Daily vacuuming carpeted areas can also be helpful to prevent re-infestation of scabies in dogs.