demodectic mange

[BasilBox]

after a skin scraping from the vet, basil was diagnosed with d-mange. Now, basil only has it on her face, and it isnt REALLY noticable. mostly its inbetween her eyes. I talked to the vet about treatment, and she suggested not getting DIPPED (too strong) - but instead to give heartguard every day instead of once a month.

I was wondering if any one else had heard of it? - buying that much heartguard will be expensive, and i am jsut out of college without a real job still... so i was wondering if there are other treatments? or one that would be less expensive. - I read up a little bit on it, and it said that healthy food is a good start (at first i feed her purina for 1 mon (EW) then switched to chicken soup, and now I am just finishing up a full switch to canidae. should i wait for a while to see if this new foods clears it up? or is that too big of a risk? also, i read that you shouldnt get spayed or vaccinated? she has all her shots, but I have an appointment to spay her, and the vet did not say anything about canceling it? - is there a reason why i shouldnt spay her? is it a big risk? or can i spay her, and THEN start on her D-Mange treatment?

i just cant handle a dog in heat, not to mention we have three other dogs, plus a LAB playmate that isnt nuetered...

 

[Net45582]

Heartgard is the same thing as ivermectin I believe. I don't think it will help that much-just my opinion though. Building up the immune system is the best way to get over d-mange. Start with great nutrition and some supplements. Goodwinol is an ointment that is highly recommended for topical use on d-mange also. It can be found at feed stores etc.

 

[Walkssoftly]

Demodex sucks... ":o(

Hiya.. My TaTanka has demodex... he is 6mo.'s.. and the vet has put him on Ivermectin.. "Ivomec"... This is a pesticide that is in heartworm meds... but there is only a trace of it in them.. from what I understand.. (PLEASE if I'm wrong, someone correct me!) I'm guessing?? That maybe this is why he is suggesting the heartworm daily.. but that seems strange.. Anyway, TaTanka is being treated w/ Ivermectin... the vet must give you the right dosage to give, as it can be very dangerous... TaTanka is on it daily, and the vet said it can take 2-6 mo's to clear up... *grrrrrr* He has GENERALIZED demodex now though.. It was LOCALIZED (which sounds like what your pup has) but the vet didn't find it when I had him scrape TaTanka.. and proceeded to give him his full series of puppy shots.. and it went full blown! And btw.. Ivermectin CAN be purchased at a feed and grain store.. but again.. you MUST make sure the vet monitors the dosage..as it can be deadly..
It has helped TaTanka alot.. and I myself am not sure what to do now.. as Demodex develops due to a breakdown in the immune system.. (So I've learned in here.. In fact.. ALL I've learned about it, is from in here!) So you must treat the immune system... I wish someone could post a real "Protocal" as to what exactly to give for supplements , along with the raw diet that I feed.. in order to help us know what is best holistically for our d-dogs...
What I have learned is.. Do not do ANYTHING to cause stress what so ever when they have demodex... Definately do NOT spay/neuter until it is cleared up! To do so, can increase the demodex. The vet should have mentioned this!
At least your only dealing with localized.. As they told me generalized can be life threatening.. and this scares the tar outta me..
I'm wanting to take my TaTanka OFF this Ivermectin, as it worries me giving him a pesticide daily for long term! Someone told me yesterday that I should look into taking him off it, as it should only be used as a last attempt... and it may have been done so because he had it so bad.. (after recieving all the vaccinations) but still.. He has cleared up alot.. and I'd like to get him on supplements and just keep feeding him raw.. I just don't know what supplements to give him!
I do give him fish oil capsules.. 4 a day, they say it helps the skin...
Hope this has helped some? And again, if I've said anything that those of you that are more knowing of here.. Please correct me...
Best of luck w/ your dilemma..

K~Walkssoftly~
Momma of two lil' white hooligans.....

 

[gmacleod]

...is there a reason why i shouldnt spay her? is it a big risk? or can i spay her, and THEN start on her D-Mange treatment?

i just cant handle a dog in heat, not to mention we have three other dogs, plus a LAB playmate that isnt nuetered...

Yes, there's a big reason why you shouldn't spay her. Demodectic mange is the result of a suppressed/compromised or defective immune system. The actual mites are not the problem - every dog has them, all of their lives. Heck, you and I have have them too (human version). They live inside the hair follicules, normally in harmony with their host. The only time they cause a problem is when the immune system is out of whack.

In the case of most puppies (demodex is often known as "puppy mange" - for good reason, since most who suffer from it are puppies) the problem is a combination of the immune system only just developing (you're not born with a full immune system, you develop it as you mature) and the incredible number of assaults it gets in the first months of life. Really, things like rehoming are hugely stressful to pups, and that affects the immune system. Most are on de-worming treatment from 2 weeks of age through to 8. That's pesticide. Then there's vaccinations. Rabies shots. And the pup isn't even 3 months old yet.

That's a heck of a lot to hammer a juvenile and un-developed immune system with. And losing control of the demodex mites is sometimes the result. That's when you get mange.

The treatment of choice for this is of course, doing nothing. Nothing except supporting and boosting that immune system. Because that's both the cause of the problem, and the key to recovery. When the pup's immune system starts to function more strongly, then it will bring those mites under control all on it's own. Once that happens, then gradually hair loss will stop and regrowth commence. Takes 3-4 months on average.

But here's the key - support for the immune system. How do we do that? Two ways, in fact. One is the highest quality diet and supplements as required (especially if you're feeding kibble). Makes sense, nutrition is the underpinner of health. But there's a second part to the equation - and that is removing/preventing any further stresses to the immune system. How big a stress do you think surgery is? On a scale of 1-10, it's got to be at least an 8. Only serious illnesses would rate more highly, especially in the case of a spay surgery. That's not minor like a neuter - it's a total ovario-hysterectomy, one of the most invasive procedures you can get. It's one heck of a hit to the immune system.

In your situation, I wouldn't even consider spaying the dog until the mange is under control. If you try to spay first, recover later, you're liable to turn the minor condition of localised mange into a serious condition of generalised mange. The only possible scenario that could be worse (and it would be much worse) is the bitch going into heat, not being kept away from un-neutered males and ending pregnant.

Thus, my advice to you would be to hold off on the spay surgery until after the mange is under control. The sole exception would be if you simply cannot keep her separated (including on leash at all times outdoors or around other dogs) from un-neutered males should she go into heat in the meantime. In that case, the surgery is going to be a significant setback but far less so than a juvenile pregnancy would be. In that instance, the lesser of the two evils would be hitting her immune system with surgery now.

 

[Walkssoftly]

Question

Gmacleod... Can I ask you what your opinion on the Ivomec is? TaTanka doesn't look sore and red like he did before, and his hair is filling in.. He is not on benadryl every three to four hours anymore.. Which relieves me, while Benadryl is a miracle worker, too much is just too much. I hated giving him so much of it, but he would scratch himself raw otherwise.. Now?? He will scratch now and then, but nothing like before!
Do you think that it would be ok to take him off the Ivomec now? The vet was saying that it might take 2-6mo's to clear up. He stated that the Ivomec he gave me was enough for 2mo's.. I'm thinking he plans to keep him on it til this is gone.. I'd sure like to just quit giving it to him.
Other than having dirrhea badly at the moment, he seems healthy as the dickens.. He and his "little sister" play like hellcats.. Snuggle together, and eat very well... (They're both on boiled chicken for a couple days til their stools get back to normal. <---dunno WHAT I did wrong.. fed 'em something that wasn't right obviously!?!) Other than that? They love their raw diet..
Any input would be much appreciated...

K~Walkssoftly~
and the "pudding twins"....

 

[Maniago]

Can I ask you what your opinion on the Ivomec is?

After reading the side of effect of Ivomec, we chose the almost do nothing. Tee tree oil on the spots she couldn't lick worked as a natural insecticide. We did not spay Grace until we had it under control, which meant two heat cycles. Boosting the immune system as said, was the key to keeping this under control.

 

[macknrebbie]

I wonder

Hi all ....
I wonder if my Rebel could have d-mac??? He has a reddish rash under his armpits....what are the symptoms?

 

[Walkssoftly]

Thank you

After reading the side of effect of Ivomec, we chose the almost do nothing. Tee tree oil on the spots she couldn't lick worked as a natural insecticide. We did not spay Grace until we had it under control, which meant two heat cycles. Boosting the immune system as said, was the key to keeping this under control.

I appreciate the input.. I think that there will possibly be NO more ivomec for my boy.. The vet had me feeling like TaTanka would die without it.. Just scared the heck out of me...

K~Walkssoftly~

 

[Fawn's Mom]

He has cleared up alot.. and I'd like to get him on supplements and just keep feeding him raw.. I just don't know what supplements to give him!
I do give him fish oil capsules.. 4 a day, they say it helps the skin...
Hope this has helped some? And again, if I've said anything that those of you that are more knowing of here.. Please correct me...

Morgan had localised mange when she was 6 months...We obviously changed her diet to Innova, then Chicken Soup - and now she is on Innova EVO Red Meat (she is now 2).
However - we added to her food every morning/night Missing Link. We can get it at our local Pets Mart (about the only thing other than toys that I buy there!).
I do not give it to her anymore, but you simply sprinkle I "THINK" it's 1 tablespoon morning and night - but double check the package for the amount depending on your dogs age/weight.
She actually loved the taste.
Along w/ the better food and Missing Link we asked our vet for Goodwinol. Our vet wanted to dip Morgan in Mitaban - but obviously we said NO and asked for the alternative treatment.
Our vet ordered the Goodwinol for us (not a normal form of treatment there) and we applied it directly to the 2 spots 2 times a day.
We also gave Morgan healthy treats - such as apples, banannas, peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese and strawberries. That goofball loves ALL fruits - including lemons and limes!
After 2 weeks of this regimine, we went in and had a negative scrape. SO - morale of the story here, DO NOT do the dips unless it is absolutely necessary.
First of all - they are not healthy for your pet, and secondly they are WAY expensive...not that $ is an option, but I would much rather save the $400 and have my pup be healthy at the same time.
Good luck!
Lisa

 

[BasilBox]

THANK YOU everyone for your imput and help. I will look into MISSING LINK and GOODWINOL. -

she is almost all the way switched to CANIDAE- which i additionally hope will help her nutrition (she was on CS before, not bad) - and i love giving her nutritious treats!

is there anything else I should look into to adding to her diet to try to get rid of this mange without heart gard? i really hate giving that much of a monthly treatment!!! and how long should i wait to give this better nutrion thing a try before i put her on meds (HOPE NOT!)