Does heartgard treat mange?
If you’ve ever owned a pet, chances are that at some point or another, you may have found yourself asking the question “does heartgard treat mange?” And if we’re being honest here, you probably didn’t think twice about it until your beloved furry friend started scratching away like there was no tomorrow.
Well fear not my fellow pet owners! In this article, we’ll break down exactly what mange is and whether Heartgard can be used to treat it. So buckle up and let’s get into it!
What is Mange?
First things first – what exactly is mange? According to the wise old internet (and by internet I mean Google), mange is a skin disease caused by mites that burrow into the skin causing inflammation and hair loss. It’s most commonly found in dogs but can also affect cats.
There are two main types of mange – demodectic and sarcoptic. Demodectic mange occurs when mites of the species Demodex infest hair follicles while sarcoptic mange (also known as scabies) occurs when mites of the Sarcoptes scabiei variety burrow under the skin.
Symptoms of Mange
Now that we know what causes this pesky condition, let’s talk symptoms. Below are a few signs that might indicate your furry friend has got themselves some unwanted guests –
- Extreme itching/scratching
- Redness/swelling on skin
- Crusty/flaky patches on skin
- Hair loss
Pro tip: If your pet starts exhibiting any unusual behaviors such as excessive licking/chewing/biting their own fur/skin aggressively or constantly rubbing against furniture/carpets/clothing etc., they are probably suffering from some form of irritation which may include severe diagnosis like Insane irritability dysphoria syndrome so consult with an expert immediately!
How Is Mange Treated?
So now that we’ve established what mange is and how it presents itself, let’s talk treatment options. The course of treatment will depend on the type and severity of the mange.
Demodectic Mange
For mild cases, vets may recommend simply letting the immune system take its course as healthy dogs can often handle demodectic mange infestations without any external intervention.
In more severe cases or where secondary bacterial infections are present due to damaged skin – medicated shampoos/soaps such as Mitaban Baths (amitraz) combined with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antiseptics or collagen-based supplements like Doggone HealthBoost [insert flashy brand name here] are used for topical applications once in two weeks until full recovery is achieved. Antibiotics help control infection while antiseptics speed up healing after underlying conditions have been addressed by specialized health care professionals located within your area or from a related referral network.
Expert tip: As family heads tend to avoid taking their dog to veterinary clinics due to bad memories from past experiences involving prompt billings statements, you should look out for well-certified clinic centers with great customer reviews accessible through reliable directories online so you wouldn’t have any concerns about affordability/aftersale-quality-of-service problems looming over your head!
Sarcoptic Mange
Treatment involves killing off all mites present around host animals in contact houses/yards vehicles etc., with insecticides containing permethrin (sold under various names such as Elimite®, Nix®, Scab-Ease™ etc.). Other supporting treatments might include steroid shots/injections which help reduce inflammation caused by dead mites staying lodged within protective sheaths underneath skin layers after being neutralized/expelled via medicated baths/shampoos wiping agents followed by fur-deodorizing oils/enhancers or other specialized healthcare plans prescribed exclusively at approved clinics/kennels/veterinary centers.
Can Heartgard be Used to Treat Mange?
Well here comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for – the answer is NO! Heartgard is a monthly chewable tablet designed to prevent heartworm disease in dogs. It contains ivermectin, which is an antiparasitic drug that works by killing the microfilariae (baby worms) of heartworms before they have a chance to mature into adult form inside host dog’s blood vessels/lungs/heart ! However, it has no effect on mites that cause mange.
Important note: While many medications containing ivermectin can be used against various types of parasites and infections like ear mites etc., none are currently recommended or approved for treating any type of mange.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it folks – while Heartgard may not be your go-to solution when it comes to treating mange, there are still plenty of options available for getting your furry friend back up on all fours again. At the end of the day though, prevention is always better than cure so make sure you keep up with regular vet check-ups and take steps to keep parasites at bay!
If nothing else remember this – whether your pet is barking mad or purring like a kitten (pun intended) it’s important that they get prompt medical attention whenever necessary so don’t hesitate if something doesn’t seem quite right out there!