Mange spread from wolf

pasture; we burned the brush pile he was sleeping in this spring. The doctors have been clueless, and my husband has visited the emergency room twice, a walk-in clinic t wice, a dermatologist (who said he had dry skin), his regular doctor and the same dermatologist. I have only experienced minor irritation.

When my husband burned the brush, he thinks the smoke may have gotten on him. But my mother and brother-in-law were diagnosed with scabies recently. We told all this to our doctors, but all we have gotten so far is various creams for ourselves, none of which are working very well. What else can we do — for the dog and ourselves? — M. J., Bemidji, Minnesota

Answer: First, good for you for at least giving that poor wolf some shelter through the winter in your pasture. Many wolves with mange, having less and less fur insulation, die during the winter. The disease can wipe out one pack after another. Severe cases should be euthanized or captured, treated and released.

Your dog probably picked up the Sarcoptes scabiei (itch mite) while sniffing around where the wolf had been sleeping in the brush, and then infected you and your husband. I came home from India one time after treating dogs and other animals and developed itchy bumps on one arm, which I recognized as probable scabies. I went to the emergency walkin clinic at a major teaching hospital, where they did a scraping and found nothing — which is not uncommon. The only thing I needed was Benzyl benzoate cream.

This is what you and your husband need. Essential oils of lavender, black pepper or citronella can also help. A lime-sulfur shampoo may help your dog. Usually, no more than two injections of ivermectin are needed to clear up the infestation in dogs. Boil all sheets, covers and clothes; don’t sleep with your dog; and put out clean sheets for the dog to sleep on to break the infection cycle.