Ask an Animal ExpertQ: My dog has mange, and my grandpa told me to dip him in used motor oil, but it doesn’t seem to be getting better. Is there something else I can do?A: Mange is a skin disorder caused by mites, which are found on the skin of a dog or in the hair follicles and may even burrow under the skin. Mites are always present on dogs, and humans as well, but certain mites can cause uncomfortable symptoms if left untreated. Treatment, though, is usually fairly simple, if the condition is detected early before it spreads extensively.Home remedies usually do not work and may actually create more health problems for your pet. Knowing what types of mites are causing the skin problem for your pet is crucial to treating it correctly. You also may be dealing with another type of skin problem, such as an allergy or bacterial infection. Improper treatment in these cases can create pain and suffering for your pet. Some skin issues can be transmitted to you or your children, so it is very important to know what kind of problem your pet has before it spreads– Karen Walsh, LVMT, McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center
My Magnolia is such a sweet dog. She appeared at my car door one afternoon when my husband, Tom, and I were picnicking at a farm on Lookout Mountain. Tom said not to feed her, but I secretly took a sandwich from the cooler and handed it off. She ravenously scarfed it down and trotted off, reappearing throughout the afternoon with her tail wagging.
A few weeks later, Tom made plans to return to the farm to fish. I asked him to ask the property owner, our friend Mike Fryar, if we could adopt the little black dog. Mike said adopting her would be fine. He said she’d found an old burlap sack around the barn and had dug a little hole to make herself a bed. Smart dog, I thought.
That was several years ago. Magnolia’s black coat has now turned to gray, and her eyes have a shadow of blue, reflecting cataracts. Her winter coat doesn’t keep her quite as warm as it once did. She’s now become a house dog during the coldest days, lying beside the fireplace rather than running through snow-covered woods.
But she’s the most loyal dog I think I’ve ever had. She’s also the first mixed-breed dog I’ve owned. So that funny-looking dog you may have overlooked at the shelter — give him a chance. He may just become your next Magnolia.