Spaying and D-mange

[Chula'sHuman]

We had planned on getting our Chula Spay at 5 months but she has D-mange and the vet recommended we wait until it clears up to have her spay. Has anyone heard this before?? We really wanted to have it done before her first heat but want to do whatever is best for her. Any ideas would be great.

 

[boxer]

Yes, you need to wait until the d-mange is under control. The reason is simple: demodectic mange is an immune system problem. Demodectic mites are present on all dogs, but only those with under-developed (ie puppies), compromised/suppressed or defective immune systems develop mange.

It commonly affects puppies because their immune systems are just developing. In most cases, that will be localised mange only, but a small percentage (who actually have defecive immune systems) will go on to develop generalised mange - affecting most of the body. And generalised mange is much harder to treat.

Anyway - since it is an immune system problem, the key to beating demodex is boosting the immune system as far as possible. That can be achieved by a very high quality diet and supplements - and avoidance of unneccessary stress. There is no doubt that a surgical operation is stress, and a lot of work for the immune system. So it is not a good idea to subject a dog that is battling mange to additional stresses on the immune system, spaying surgeries included. The consequences of doing so could include the development of generalised mange... So, you need to boost that immune system as much as you possibly can, and once the mange is under control, she would be in a position to cope with a spay surgery.

 

[Brody@cali]

Brody had D-mange. We just got him cleared after 2 months. He had it so bad where he had to be dipped. Stay on it. Do everything you need to do with the vet to clear up the magne. How is it so far?

 

[Maddie's dad]

My terrior, Rita had severe d-mange. She had to have the dips for about eight months. There was a minor flare up in July, that cleared up on its own. I wanted to wait a bit after her flair up to give her immune system a chance to build itself up. She has since gone into her first heat. This can also be stressful for a young dog. She is through with her cycle and no reoccurance of the mange. I'm going to wait a few more weeks to be safe before I can finally have her spayed.

Jan

 

[EricaG]

Hey,
We were told the same thing about waiting for the mange to clear up before having her spayed. She's had mange for about 2 months now, and it looks like its clearing up nicely. She had two spots. One is almost completely gone, and the other is about 70 percent better. She turned six months on wednesday, so we are taking her to the vet tomorrow for a skin scrape. If that comes back clear, we're going to make her spay appointment, otherwise we'll have to wait. I am SOOOO hoping it comes back clear, because I have just read so much about all of the health benefits to getting her spayed before her first heat(lower risk for several different cancers etc.) AND she has puppy vaginitis, and the vet seems to think that the spay will help to clear that up. Also, it would mean she didnt have mange anymore!!! O no, now I'm all nervous!