Ok, here’s a weird question - not really about gardening, but, where else to ask?
This Black Lab that adopted us has developed mange. The vet is a tough option — we’ve already spent more vet $$ than we have to spend on this boy, unless it is life critical. If we take him to a shelter, they are all jammed full, so he’ll likely get put down.*
We have tried treating him, and it helps a little, but not much because he just licks most of the treatment off before it has a chance to work. You’d think the stuff would taste too bad, but, this dog was a stray and judging by his behavior (scavenging most anything digestible, and some probably not!), there are few things that taste bad enough to deter him.
I thought of a muzzle for temporary use, say, an hour at a time, but all I’ve found so far allow the dog to drink, eat small pieces of food, lick, etc. I do recall seeing a medication of some sort, somewhere (not for mange, IIRC), that was made to taste very bitter to deter licking.
So... I’m wondering what might taste bad enough to deter the licking, but be harmless if consumed? Add that to the treatment...
*We’d hate to see this boy put down - he’s turned out to be a good, sweet dog except for being an egg robber (have to keep him away from the hen house!). He definitely deters varmints and, speaking of those, we feel safer with him here when our teenage daughter is home alone for a couple hours.
Thanks in advance!
I went and looked, because I had heard that Apple Cider Vinegar on the spots would help, and that might deter licking. You can also add it to their food (maybe mixed in with beefy wet food to disguise flavor?) or in pill form to get the ACV into their system, which also effects how their skin tastes to the mites that cause mange. Maybe add some to his water dish?
There’s also a dog bath recommendation here with a mixture of Borax (20 Mule Team) and Hydrogen peroxide.
How about a cone to keep him from licking? You can find them at a Farm Supply store, or the Vet, of course.
https://www.petswelcome.com/articles/treating-mange-naturally.html