bad news on kadie, had to leave her at the vet. (needs some healing vibes)
- Thread starter fordraceing_
- Start date
- Status
Coco'smommy
Boxer Insane
Joe, First of all I am sorry that Kadie is having to deal with this but from what I have read on this board it is very treatable. I personally and thankfully haven't had any experience in dealing with mange of any kind so I really can't offer and treatment advice. My only advice to you is to say that I would look around for another vet and these mods on this board know their stuff. I would seriously listen to what they're saying and try some other options other than the dips. Obviously the dips shouldn't be your first choice but ultimately it's up to you as she's your baby. Take care and I wish you best of luck.
tesster
Boxer Insane
You know, there are always going to be differing opinions among experts and experienced dog owners on what is the right course of treatment for any ailment. It's your job, as Kadie's guardian, to gather as much information on the subject as you can, and then make an informed decision on what YOU think is best for her.
If you trust your vet's advise, and feel that the points made here aren't valid or aren't important, go for it. If you have hesitation based on this feedback, then try something else first, as suggested.
I trust my vet completely. But, if I were you and my vet recommended something that conflicted with the overwhelming response from the experts here on Boxerworld, I would INFORM the vet that I wanted to try a less harsh treatment as the first option and then revisit the dips if that doesn't work.
I don't mean to be condescending or rude and I hope this doesn't come across that way, but it doesn't seem to be that tough of a call, in my opinion. By that, I mean, it's not like you have to decide one treatment or the other, exclusively. If the diet and meds don't work, you can still go with the dip. I don't think your vet should object to that.
In any case, good luck!
If you trust your vet's advise, and feel that the points made here aren't valid or aren't important, go for it. If you have hesitation based on this feedback, then try something else first, as suggested.
I trust my vet completely. But, if I were you and my vet recommended something that conflicted with the overwhelming response from the experts here on Boxerworld, I would INFORM the vet that I wanted to try a less harsh treatment as the first option and then revisit the dips if that doesn't work.
I don't mean to be condescending or rude and I hope this doesn't come across that way, but it doesn't seem to be that tough of a call, in my opinion. By that, I mean, it's not like you have to decide one treatment or the other, exclusively. If the diet and meds don't work, you can still go with the dip. I don't think your vet should object to that.
In any case, good luck!
Slobber Baby
Banned
Good Grief, I just read this entire thread..there is a lot of information here..I trust my vet completely and everyone that works there...you must do what is right for your baby...just make an informed decision..that is what this place is...I'm sorry but I would try boosting the immune system first before the dips and also on the dips they say they get worse before they get better..why do you think this is??
Laura
Laura
fordraceing_
Super Boxer
well
i just wanted you guys to know that the mange was generalized and needed the extreme treatment and then get some opinions on that.
now about my area, i live in the middle of nowhere i called all vets within an 1.5hr range and they all said with d-mange thats generalized and on the body that they will do the dips. they all said they dips will not hurt the dog.
thats why im saying this, if i called and one recomended something different then i would do that but they ALL told me the same thing and said i should stick with my local vet.
also the reason for the wysong food is to boost the immune system.
i just wanted you guys to know that the mange was generalized and needed the extreme treatment and then get some opinions on that.
now about my area, i live in the middle of nowhere i called all vets within an 1.5hr range and they all said with d-mange thats generalized and on the body that they will do the dips. they all said they dips will not hurt the dog.
thats why im saying this, if i called and one recomended something different then i would do that but they ALL told me the same thing and said i should stick with my local vet.
also the reason for the wysong food is to boost the immune system.
Jiffer
Boxer Booster
Well, at least you have 14 days to think things through before doing another dip. Research it and do what you think is best for your baby. I, personally, will only dip as a last resort. I would do some of the things people have done here until your next appt and then decide if you think she needs the dips. She may start to show improvement. My dog seems to be improving, (growing hair back, less red, etc.), so I don't see any point in doing dips unless he worsens and, even then, after trying Ivermectin first.
I completely understand your fear and your confusion. I have been researching this for two weeks, since I found out about my boy's mange. I have been confused and frustrated, not sure what the right thing is, but after seeing improvement in his condition and reading all the positive stories on this site, I am way encouraged that I am doing the right thing. I'm staying away from the dips as long as possible, no matter what my vet says.
You have asked a few times and no one has answered, about whether or not it's possible she might not be cured. The truth is, not all d-mange can be cured. There is a small pecentage of dogs who cannot be cured. They have to be put down because they are just too miserable to go on. Please don't get freaked out and jump into doing the dips because of this information. (Probably why no one has answered that question.) As other people have said, the dips weaken the immune system and the immune system is the key to recovery. I think there are probably dogs out there who have been dipped, who didn't have any problems with it and recovered, and there are very likely dogs who were dipped, worsened their immune system and, as a result, could not recover.
There are products out there you can try if you want to do more than just boost the immune system. I ordered products from bestpetsrx.com. A shampoo and a spray. They were expensive and I went through them quickly, so I switched to another product called Dermisil. Both companies say they have an 85% cure rate and that nobody can really boast a higher cure rate than that. However, I bet a dog who's immune system is boosted has an even better than 85% chance.
Dermisil is a lime-sulfer based product that is mixed with shampoo and put on the dog every five days to kill the mites. It's all natural. I don't really know how much the products I've been using are helping or not. I'm really more convinced to work on the immune system, but since I already ordered the Dermisil, I will use it when it arrives. It can't hurt to try.
Some people use Neem oil. Another natural method.
I'm just letting you know there are other options out there that your vet hasn't told you and you might not find on this site. You have two weeks to decide on the dip. Do your research and I'm sure you'll come to a good decision for you and your dog. My vet told me that Mitaban is the "only" treatment for d-mange, but I have read story after story about people who were told to dip their dog, who didn't, and their dog recovered. I think those dogs who flat out cannot recover, probably wouldn't recover with the dips either. Just my opinion from everything I've read.
Keep us posted on her progress and I'll do the same with Kronk's.
I completely understand your fear and your confusion. I have been researching this for two weeks, since I found out about my boy's mange. I have been confused and frustrated, not sure what the right thing is, but after seeing improvement in his condition and reading all the positive stories on this site, I am way encouraged that I am doing the right thing. I'm staying away from the dips as long as possible, no matter what my vet says.
You have asked a few times and no one has answered, about whether or not it's possible she might not be cured. The truth is, not all d-mange can be cured. There is a small pecentage of dogs who cannot be cured. They have to be put down because they are just too miserable to go on. Please don't get freaked out and jump into doing the dips because of this information. (Probably why no one has answered that question.) As other people have said, the dips weaken the immune system and the immune system is the key to recovery. I think there are probably dogs out there who have been dipped, who didn't have any problems with it and recovered, and there are very likely dogs who were dipped, worsened their immune system and, as a result, could not recover.
There are products out there you can try if you want to do more than just boost the immune system. I ordered products from bestpetsrx.com. A shampoo and a spray. They were expensive and I went through them quickly, so I switched to another product called Dermisil. Both companies say they have an 85% cure rate and that nobody can really boast a higher cure rate than that. However, I bet a dog who's immune system is boosted has an even better than 85% chance.
Dermisil is a lime-sulfer based product that is mixed with shampoo and put on the dog every five days to kill the mites. It's all natural. I don't really know how much the products I've been using are helping or not. I'm really more convinced to work on the immune system, but since I already ordered the Dermisil, I will use it when it arrives. It can't hurt to try.
Some people use Neem oil. Another natural method.
I'm just letting you know there are other options out there that your vet hasn't told you and you might not find on this site. You have two weeks to decide on the dip. Do your research and I'm sure you'll come to a good decision for you and your dog. My vet told me that Mitaban is the "only" treatment for d-mange, but I have read story after story about people who were told to dip their dog, who didn't, and their dog recovered. I think those dogs who flat out cannot recover, probably wouldn't recover with the dips either. Just my opinion from everything I've read.
Keep us posted on her progress and I'll do the same with Kronk's.
Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
I haven't had to deal with mange, but hope that Kadie gets better soon.
Jiffer
Boxer Booster
Regarding "all the vets saying the same thing". I am not surprised. Most MD's would tell you to get chemo therapy and radiation treatment if you have cancer, but those kinds of treatments actually CAUSE cancer. I know of a Dr. who had a huge tumor sticking out of her chest and expected to possibly not make it through the night one time while researching treatments. She knew she wanted to avoid chemo and radation because ... she's a Dr. and knew what they do to your body. She went the extremely natural route, eating everything wholesome she could. Basically BOOSTING HER IMMUNE SYSTEM. Her inoperable and terminal tumor shrunk and she is cancer free.
Though you may be boosting your dogs immune system with the special food your vet gave you, you will be counter acting that with the dips. It's still better to both than just the dips, however.
It sounds like you pretty much have your mind made up. I don't think anyone here (at least not me) will blame you for doing what you think is best. If you want to do the dips, then do the dips. It's your dog and it's understandable that you would think what all the vets say is true. I just want to encourage you to continue researching it while you wait for her next dip appt.
God bless you and Kadie!
Though you may be boosting your dogs immune system with the special food your vet gave you, you will be counter acting that with the dips. It's still better to both than just the dips, however.
It sounds like you pretty much have your mind made up. I don't think anyone here (at least not me) will blame you for doing what you think is best. If you want to do the dips, then do the dips. It's your dog and it's understandable that you would think what all the vets say is true. I just want to encourage you to continue researching it while you wait for her next dip appt.
God bless you and Kadie!
I wanted to say that my female had mange when she was younger and the Goodwin Oil worked on it. It took a few months for the hair to grow back but her spot never got any bigger and then disappeared. I volunteer for Boxer Rescue and we get alot of puppies coming in with Generalized D-Mange. Most are treated with the Ivermectin and go back for skin scrapes every 4 to 6 wks to see how they are coming along. We just recently had a female come in that was so bad her right eye was almost swelled shut and she already looked like she had elephant skin with open scratches from itching. It took over 3months but she was treated with ivermectin and is now mange free and has all her hair back and beautiful. Good Luck
- Status