ALWAYS accept advice (long!)

[Shotze's Mom]

His initial diagnosis was made because I complained of itching also. I had forgot to mention that I had been clearing the campsite and that it could have been chiggers on me. Grrrrr.... I should have suggested a scrape. No, he should have KNOWN to do one and I shouldnt have HAD to request one. Im not the vet...HE is. Grrrr makes me so mad when I think about it.

Second question....um YEAH a new vet is on the horizon. I thought that this vet was a good one, but after thinking about it and watching Shotze suffer I decided that I will opt for a new vet. Im currently calling and interviewing potential vets. Im not going to say that he was a "bad" vet, but I will say that this time, his inacurate diagnosis cost me alot more money and both Shotze and I alot more stress than was needed.My beautiful baby girl has gone from being a beautiful little baby doll to a horrible looking little girl. It breaks my heart. New vet IS in the works.

 

[Gagal4ever]

Wishing you both a speedy recovery. My Abby had it too and she responded great to the ivermectin!! Keep positive, it's a long process and it takes a little while for results but everything will be fine I'm glad you were persistent!

 

[NFBoxerMom]

Oh I am so sorry to hear about all the trouble you've been through with lil Shotze. Also sending some healing vibes your way in hopes that Shotze recovers quickly and no worse for the wear

Lori
Belle, Copper & Holly

 

[Mandy1155]

oh my gosh! Those pictures are terrible. I have not seen a dog with demodex that bad before. You are right, the vet should have known to do the skin scraping on his own. Any dog with itching or bumps gets a scrape at the vet clinic I worked at... really no question about it. That is ridiculous. I feel so bad for you and her to have to go through that.

 

[Shotze's Mom]

Yes, the pics are terrible. It hurts everytime I look at her. I cant talk to my hubby without crying about it. Last night, she seems to be feeling better and wants so much to be loved on, I broke down again because I want to hug her and hold her and I cant. I let her out of her crate and tied her out and all she would do was whine. So I let the retractable leash out a little further and put her bed by her PaPa and she got in it and went to sleep. I breaks my heart. I know I keep going on and on about how much this is bothering me, but I cant believe Im this attached already. Its really kinda scary.

On a positive note...she seems to be doing much better. Her oozing is drying up alot and she actually barked this morning. She stills sleeps alot though. I had her files transfered to a new vet yesterday and will be taking her in a few days for him to get a look at her. I researched demodex some more and found out that it can cause ear infections also. I think this is why she isnt barking as much. She shakes her head alot also. Hopefully this amoxicillin will clear that up. I have a feeling that when I bathe her today she will lose most of her hair. If she does Ill get a pic of that also. Im trying to keep a record of how she looks in the various stages. Im praying shes on her way to recovering nicely.
Ill keep you all updated.

 

[saveaboxer]

Sorry to hear that Shotze is having to go through this. It is not pretty when they get a severe case of demodex. We have a flashy boy in rescue now that came from the Grant Co. dog bust in northern KY a few months ago that has a very severe case of demodex. He is just now starting to regrow some hair, has lots of loose reddish skin hanging around his neck and face, feet are still a mess and with all the rainy weather will be hard pressed to get feet to heal as they should. He is getting weekly mitaban dips and we are hoping that soon he can go to every two weeks. He had lost the biggest part of all his hair, he only has a few patches here and there that was old hair. It has really been a challenge with this boy not only with the demodex but with the skin fungus and bacterial infections he had.

Your vet should have done a scrape, you cannot diagnose sarcoptic mange and then treat without one. Hopefully everything will be fine with your little girl, just hang in there and love her.
Sandie

 

[Kbryant]

I'm so sorry to hear about your baby and all that you've gone through. It just seem so unfair sometimes. I'm so glad that you now have an answer. I'm so scared to hear the results tonight for Jake and Cleo, you can imagine. Take care. I was hoping to get some thoughts on Cleo but my post was merged with an old one and now no one is answering. I'm so desperate and can't understand why I couldn't have a separate post. Anyway, my very best to you and your baby. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery and some fun time for you both very soon. You certainly deserve it.
karen

 

[meb0585]

OMG Kat, Im so sorry for Shotze! She looks terrible! It hurts to look at her. Hope she is feeling better

That stupid vet ought to be reported somewhere......how could you not do a scrape, when she looks like that? Or even close to that!

Shotze is in our thoughts and prayers! Layla sends kisses and hugs!

 

[marciafinn]

Wow - the pics weren't in your gallery yet when I posted yesterday. It brought tears to my eyes seeing what the poor thing is going through...please keep us posted. More healing vibes to Shotze. ((((()))))

 

[Shotze's Mom]

Now yall know how I feel. I cant eat. Hubby says if she doesnt get better its going to kill me..literally. But I cant help it. I love her so much and looking at her hurts so bad. I cant EVEN look at her "before" pics without going balistic. I wanted to lose a few pounds, but not this way. I dont think Ive EVER prayed more for a dog in my life.
Thanks for all you good vibes and prayers. Shotze and I really appreciate it.

PS I was reluctant to post the pics because she does look so bad. But I figured that it might help someone else if they knew what this disease looks like in its advanced stages. And also to kinda give a "dont let this happen to you" example. NEVER EVER take an itchy dog in without having a scrape done FIRST!!!!! Better safe than sorry. If it looks like ant bites....TAKE THEM IN FOR A SCRAPE!!!