How to Help a Street Dog With a Bad Skin Disease

Thank you for helping this dog. In street dogs, widespread hair loss and crusty skin are most often caused by mange (sarcoptic or demodectic), fleas or ticks, a skin infection and poor nutrition, often several at once.

The best help is a visit to a vet or an animal welfare clinic, since many charities treat street dogs at low cost. A skin scraping confirms mange, and modern antiparasitic medicines work very well. Please don't use engine oil, kerosene or other home remedies sometimes used on street dogs, because they can be toxic and burn the skin.

Sarcoptic mange can spread to people and other dogs, causing itchy bumps, so wear gloves when handling the dog and wash your hands and any bedding. Good food and clean water also help the skin heal.

See mange in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.