Dog with Demodex Mange
Answered by: Kerry Hackett
Question from: Deb Nordby
Posted on: November 27, 2006

I have an 11 yr old female sheltie, that has been diagnosed with Demodex Mange. While this is not a normal condition for an older dog, I’m wondering what I can do herbally to kill the mites, and lessen the need for antibiotics and dips. I was told by my vet to use a phamaceutical preparation but when I read the bottle and it mentioned how toxic it was, I refused to use it on her. I’ve been using lime sulphur, but boy does it STINK. I’ve also changed her diet to a natural raw diet, and that has helped tremendously.

1) What can I give her herbally to help her with the demodex?

2) What herbs can help heal her legs, and help the hair grow back?

3) Is there something herbal that will kill the mites?

4) She is on Cephlexan and that is helping the outbreak of pustuls. However, when I stop, she starts to get sores again. Something herbal that can be better for her than using Cephlexan?

Mange occurs usually as a result of a depressed immune system. Your switch over to a natural diet is a great start; you may also want to look at employing a supplement powder by Wysong, "Call of the Wild" as it will enhance digestion and metabolism as it has been formulated for raw nutrition. Next would be to look at strengthening the immune system. Supplements you may want to try would be: zinc citrate at 10 mg once a day, vitamin C at 250 mg twice a day and vitamin E 400 iu once a day until she has healed. Long term immunity should be helped by her new diet.

As for her legs, you could bathe them in a strong infused tea of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) flowers at one handful flowers to two cups boiling water. Let steep for 15 minutes and cool to lukewarm. Strain. Dip a clean cotton cloth in the tea and pad the affected parts three times a day. This will help to heal the sores and strengthen her skin.

Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic and antimicrobial medication. I suspect the reason you have seen a reaction once this drug has been stopped is that is wasn’t discontinued through a weaning process over a number of days or weeks. You may want to speak with your veterinarian about how to do this effectively. Herbs to help with demodex would include: Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Yarrow (Achillea millifolium), Lavender (Lavendula officinalis) and Liquorice (Glycerrhiza glabra); any of these used as a rinse.

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