What is Aludex?

Aludex contains a substance called amitraz, which is effective against mange mites. It is supplied as a liquid to be diluted in water and is used to treat mange in dogs and sometimes other species. 

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How is Aludex used?

For treating Demodectic mange in dogs, 50mls of Aludex is added to 5 litres of fresh water (1 to 100 dilution) and the solution applied to the affected areas. This can be the whole body, or just specific skin lesions if appropriate.

To treat Sarcoptic mange in dogs, a weaker solution is used, with 25mls of Aludex diluted in 5 litres of water. This strength of dilution is also made when Aludex is used to treat mange in smaller species such as hamsters and guinea pigs. Aludex is not recommended to be used in cats and is regarded as toxic to horses.

How often is Aludex used?

Aludex washes are usually repeated once a week until no signs of mange remain. This can be at least 3 or 4 weeks, and for Demodex can be 10 weeks or more. Ideally your veterinary surgeon will take skin scrapings once per week to look for signs of mange mites or eggs, and washes are continued at weekly intervals until no sign of mites is found.  (Skin scrapings are made by scratching a sharp blade across the surface of the skin, NOT in a cutting action. The surface layers of skin are collected in this way and are examined under a microscope.) In most cases of Demodex, the Demodex mites are found in large numbers on skin scrapings and are easy to detect. However in some cases they are much less abundant and are difficult to find. Sarcoptes mites are always difficult to find on skin scrapings. This makes it difficult to be sure that all mites and eggs have been killed. For this reason it is common to continue washing at weekly intervals for 3 or 4 times AFTER all signs of mange have cleared up. (Sarcoptic mange can be difficult for a veterinary surgeon to diagnose in the first place due to the low numbers of mites needed to cause the disease. For this reason blood tests are sometimes performed, but these remain positive for some while after the mange has been successfully treated. Therefore Sarcoptic mange is often diagnosed on the basis of history and clinical signs, and even on the response, or lack of it, to treatment.

What are the Aludex side effects?

Aludex can cause sedation in some dogs. This normally passes off without treatment. However vets do have an antidote to this and can give a reversing agent by injection if required. (Aludex is an alpha-2-adreno-receptor agonist, so can be reversed with an alpha-2-adreno-receptor antagonist. These agents are routinely used in many veterinary practices for certain types of sedation and general anaesthesia.)

Aludex is a prescription only veterinary medication. It can be prescribed by your vet after Demodectic or Sarcoptic mange has been diagnosed in your dog. Sometimes a vet will prescribe its unlicensed use under the prescribing cascade system for other species. Aludex can be bought economically online from VioVet if you ask your vet for a prescription.

Article written by:
John Cousins BVSc MRCVS - A veterinary surgeon from VioVet - Online Pet Store & Pharmacy.

The article reflects the opinions of the author and should only be used as a guide. It can only be taken in conjunction with advice from your vet. No liability is accepted for accuracy of content or any other matter.