My Young Dog Is Being Treated for Severe Mange. What Should I Expect?

We're sending good thoughts to you and Bruno. A young dog with severe mange can look worse before he looks better, especially when broken, crusted skin and secondary infection are part of the picture. The good news is that most young dogs with mange recover with steady treatment and patience.

Bleeding and swelling are worth a prompt call to your vet, though. If it's demodectic mange, as is likely at his age, infected skin and swollen paws are common with the widespread form and and usually need antibiotics alongside the mite treatment. Your vet will also want to recheck skin scrapings over time, because treatment usually continues until scrapings are clear on at least two monthly checks. Please stick to the medicine and dose your vet prescribes, since too much ivermectin can be dangerous. Call your vet right away if he becomes wobbly, unusually sleepy, drools, has dilated pupils or trembles.

If cost is becoming a struggle, tell your vet. Many dogs are now treated with chewable flea and tick medicines such as NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica or Credelio, which are used off-label for mange and can be simpler to give. Low-cost clinics and humane societies may also help. Read more about treating demodectic mange in young dogs.

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