If your dog has mites that are causing him to itch and pull out his fur, his veterinarian has likely recommended a special dog shampoo to kill the mites. Because your pooch is your beloved companion, its important to understand the products youre being told to try on him before you use them. Just like a child, your dog depends on you to keep him safe and healthy.
Types
As with other pet products, there are many types of dog shampoos on the market for dealing with mite problems. The specific shampoo recommended by your veterinarian will depend on the types of mites infesting your dog, the severity of the problem and your vets preferred brand. Despite these variations, most shampoos meant to treat mite infestations such as scabies or demodectic mange mites share a common goal: to make your pet itch free.
Differences
Medicated shampoos for dealing with scabies usually contain an anti-parasitic, according to Pet Place. On the other hand, shampoos recommended for use on dogs with demodex, also often called puppy mange, commonly contain benzoyl peroxide.
Similarities
Because dogs with all types of mites may experience severe itching, most dog shampoos meant to treat mite infections tend to have ingredients that primarily soothe the itching and irritated skin. Common ingredients include aloe, oatmeal, tea tree oil and lidocaine.
Availability
Most medicated shampoos are available only through a veterinarian or veterinary supply sites with a vets prescription. If your vet has recommended a specific shampoo but you would like to see if you can get it cheaper online, make sure to get a prescription to fax to the website when ordering. Many online veterinary pharmacies will not sell you prescription-strength products without a prescription.
Considerations
A shampoo alone is unlikely to eliminate a mite problem in your dog. In most cases, a medicated shampoo is recommended as part of a larger treatment strategy that often includes dips in special chemical solutions (i.e., LymDyp for scabies and amitraz for demodex), injections or oral administration of a medication called ivermectin, and antibiotics. Thus, unless your pets mite issues are very slight, even frequent and repeated use of a special shampoo may not do the trick.
