naturalpet MANAGING


T MANGEreatment Plans that Speed Relief


by Dr. Matthew J. Heller


Waking up with a stiff neck or shoulder or back pain sends 20 million Americans to the chiro- practor each year.


~ American Chiropractic Association


and the effects of its misalignments on the rest of the body. These practitioners generally prefer to adjust the neck with the patient in a sitting position. More than half of all chiroprac- tors use some form of the Gonstead technique. It involves detailed structural analysis of the spine, which can include various types of palpitation, nervoscope analysis of heat and nerve pressure along the spine, and X-rays. “All of these techniques require


extensive education and thousands of hours of training,” concludes Overland. Adds Burns, “Each patient is evalu- ated and diagnosed individually. So try different techniques and see what works for you. The goal is to unlock the body’s ability to heal itself.”


Kathleen Barnes is a natural health ad- vocate, author and publisher. 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health: A Take Charge Plan for Women, written with Dr. Hyla Cass, is among her many books. Visit KathleenBarnes.com.


“M


angy mutt” may seem a benign enough term for a sorry-looking pooch, but


behind the poor appearance can lie a troublesome health condition that causes many species of domestic ani- mals, including cats, discomfort if not properly treated.


Mange is typically caused by tiny,


parasitic mites that feed upon the pet for nutrition, compromising the host’s health. Some burrow under the skin to lay eggs, which hatch and restart the mite’s life cycle; others stay on the skin’s surface and feed on pet dandruff.


Common Types of Mange Various types of mange share common symptoms: In infected areas, hair loss, redness, itching, irritation and scabs typically occur; more seriously, a pet’s skin may harden to a scaly condition. If untreated, mange can transform a dog’s skin into an uncomfortable, leathery and brittle organ. Stay alert to such ap- pearances and act quickly. Sarcoptic scabies mange results from microscopic, oval-shaped, light- colored mites that migrate easily be- tween hosts. Prime real estate includes a pet’s ears, elbows, thighs, face and underside of the chest. Symptoms in- clude severe itching and scratching that creates red bumps amidst crusty, thick skin, weight loss, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes. It takes about one week


illness, or even a hereditary issue. Under a microscope, demodex mites appear cigar-shaped. Common symptoms include hair loss, balding, scabbing and sores. Dogs are more susceptible to both types than cats.


Localized demodectic mange usually occurs in puppies when mites migrate from mother to pup during early nurturing. In puppies, the mange often appears on the face, creating a patchy, polka-dotted, balding appear- ance. Generally, pets will heal from this type of mange without treatment. Gen- eralized demodectic mange presents a greater challenge, because it is spread across large areas of the skin. The pet may emit a horrid odor from secondary bacterial skin infections.


Diagnosis and Treatment If a pet shows symptoms of mange, con- sult a holistic veterinarian for proper di- agnosis and treatment. Once diagnosed, it is vital to implement a full treatment. For cases of sarcoptic mange, this entails replacing the pet’s bedding and collar, plus treating all animals with which the


natural awakenings October 2012 21


after a pet has been exposed to them for symptoms to appear. Unlike demo- dectic mange, sarcoptic mange can be transmitted to humans, causing a red rash similar to an insect bite. Pets that suffer from demodectic mange typically already have a weak- ened or compromised immune system, sometimes because of immaturity (such as puppies), malnour- ishment, stress associated


with another


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