Sarcoptic mange - Page 1

I know that vets want to do ivermectin injections to treat Sarcoptic mange. I have successfully used lime sulfur dip several times. My 2nd bottle froze or just got old so I ordered more. I looked up holistic treatments online and bought neem oil, which I mixed into dog shampoo, 1 teaspoon per 6 tablespoons shampoo, followed with coconut oil rinse; 2 tablespoons poured into running water with the tub plugged, then poured over the dogs with a cup and worked into the coat and down to the skin.
No more bites since then! Recommended treatment is every 4 days for 3 weeks. It costs more than lime sulfur but the coconut oil smells so good!
One of my friends is trying to get me to use frontline instead. Any opinions on frontline and Sarcoptic mange?
Has anybody else used alternatives to treat Sarcoptic mange, and if so, what?
thank you.

Did the vet confirm sarcoptic or is this your guess? Ivermectin works wonderful and is much quicker working which relieves the dog faster IMO. If this is your new "service dog" puppy I would not be socializing and taking out in public either. 

It's a guess....the itchy red bites all over when I pet, and my vet doesn't confirm, she guessed it another time before. Ivermectin injections run about $60 each at my vet, x 3, that's $180 per dog. I have 6 dogs. Lyme sulfur is a much cheaper alternative, as well as being good for various skin conditions My vet says it is safe, and effective. Holistic treatment is a new try for me. My 5 year old shepherd and 2 of my Chihuahuas definitely had the mites. I am treating everybody as a precaution. My vet says the mites are so small that they don't always show up on skin scrapings and if I think they have it, to treat them.

If it is your new pup, it could be demodectic mange instead. This is why a vet should take a scraping. You could have more problems in your pup besides the mange and it really should be seen by a vet. I am sorry, but if one cannot give basic vet care for the number of animals owned then IMO you should not own so many. I am all for holistic meds instead of chemicals at times but not because of saving money and the diagnosis not being done. This is what gives home remedies and holistic meds a bad rap.

Puppy has no symptoms and lime sulfur was vet prescribed treatment before ivermectin was invented. I am giving basic care, the old fashioned way.

I don't need a diagnosis to see the difference. Results speak for themselves. If you love spending exorbitant amounts of money that is your business. Saving my money is mine.

I don't spend a lot when it's not necessary and same results are achieved by more economic means. I do spend when necessary when there are no better alternatives.
Gsdnewbie, you have contributed nothing useful to this thread. I see no reason for you to continue posting. I did not ask for opinions. I asked for others' experiences. Apparently you didn't understand that. I am unsure how to further simplify it for you.

Puppy has been to vet twice. She is healthy. Treatment is precautionary.

Neem oil is a good shampoo however bathing that frequently is going to dry out the skin, especially since it is already damaged from the mange mites burrowing under the skin, which their saliva as they chew their way under the skin is what causes the itching and chewing.

 You would be much better off getting a skin scrape to identify the specific mange mite, demodex or sarcoptic, since they require a different treatment approach. Even trying to diagnose by the itchy red bumps on yourself or family members is not a reliable way to diagnose, it could be caused by hay mites, grass mites or any number of irritants. There are some indicators that you could use such as baldness around the eyes and along the front edge of the ear leather but you would be better off having the vet skin scrape. As long as she is scraping an active area she will get live mites. I have used revolution with great success in puppies but it was vet diagnosed and recommended.
Good luck. If it is Sarcoptic, the longer you wait the greater chance of all of your pets getting infected as well as yourself and family members. Trust me, the 2 week itch is no fun at all.
Shandra

Shandra, thank you for your input. I have consulted my vet on this before. My dogs had this same thing before and I used lime sulfur which cleared it up so my vet said to keep using it.
I agree on the drying out of skin, which is why I used the coconut oil rinse. It's only a temporary fix as I wait for the lime sulfur to ship, which takes 5 to 7 days.