As you navigate the various forms of mange treatment, you’ll come across one popular treatment called Amitraz. It is primarily marketed under the labels Mitaban and Promeris. Amitraz is a topical application for dogs.

Good Things about Amitraz

Amitraz has a lot to commend it. It does the job of killing mites pretty well. Many users report that all the mites are gone with just a single treatment. Depending on the severity of the mites, however, treatment may take as long as three months. In the case of multiple treatments, Amitraz is applied every two to four weeks.

Not-So-Good things About Amitraz

One of the reasons why Amitraz works is because it’s so strong. In fact, if you let Amitraz touch your clothes, you might as well throw them away. It will instantly bleach them. Amitraz is so potent it can even eat through plastic. Scary. Because of its power, Amitraz should not be used on dogs with diabetes, dogs using MAOI medicines, dogs who are pregnant, or dogs who are nursing.

But that’s just the tough news for dogs. It’s tough on the one who is applying amitraz, too. Amitraz comes with an instruction booklet, that you must follow to the letter. If you mess up (even a little bit) the treatment may fail. Also, if you have a medium or long-hair dog, the hair must be completely shaved to the skin before treatment. All lesions must be thoroughly cleaned. Then, the dog must be entirely cleaned in a special anti-dandruff shampoo, and allowed to completely dry. Then, amitraz must be sponged over the entire skin surface, even if the area of skin has not been infected by mange. The dog must completely dry with the amitraz on it. Then, the dog should be rewashed.

Another one of the downsides of Amitraz are the side effects. Amitraz can produce itching, tenderness, and rashes. In some cases, Amitraz also causes diarrhea, vomiting, depression, and insomnia in dogs.

Sounds like a headache, huh? If that’s what it takes to treat mange, then so be it. We happen to think that there are some easier ways, but Amitraz is one of your options.