My Dogs Were Exposed to Scabies. How Can I Keep Them From Getting It?

Acting now is smart. Sarcoptic mange (canine scabies) spreads easily between dogs, and signs can take anywhere from about 10 days to 8 weeks to appear, so your dogs could still be incubating it even if they look fine. Dogs can also spread mites before they look sick.

Call your vet, explain the exposure, and ask whether treating your dogs now makes sense. Vets commonly recommend treating every dog that's been in contact, even those without signs. Products such as Revolution (selamectin) and Advantage Multi are FDA-approved for sarcoptic mange, and many chewable flea and tick medicines also work against it off-label. Some dogs may already be protected if they're on one of these monthly preventives, so mention what they currently take.

Meanwhile, wash or replace bedding, blankets and towels the puppy used, clean brushes, and keep the puppy away from your dogs until it's been treated. Watch for sudden itching, especially around the ear edges, elbows and belly. Read more about how scabies spreads and how it's treated.

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