Very Discouraged - Demodex

[Foxy Roxy]

I have a 10 month old puppy who was diagnosed with demodex mange on March 7th. Our vet immediatly started her out on the maximum dose of intervemetin (?) for her weight as well as an antibiotic twice a day. A few days ago we took her back to the vet for a check up and he informed us that there has been no improvement (in opinion it has gotten slightly worse). Roxie was originally misdiagnosed with ring worm so by the time we discovered that it was mange and not ringworm the mange had already gotten pretty severe (approximatly 10 to 15 bare spots). I have read several articles both on the internet and here on boxer world but I still seem to be fighting a loosing battle. It is breaking my heart to see Roxie so eat up in this mange. I feel like I'm not doing enough for her being as we have had her on medicine for almost a month and there has been NO improvement there is also a tremendous fear that if we can't beat it and it continues to get worse that we may have to put her down, I know that option would only be for the utter most extreme case but I can't help but worry. If anyone out there has any advise I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[BeckyNC]

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble with this. Tae had 7-8 hairless patches when we began to treat with ivermectin last summer (we waited to see if it would go away on its own first). I know how you feel. I was frustrated, too.

What has your vet said? Has he suggested continued treatment with ivermectin? They say the mange usually gets worse before it gets better. If the ivermectin does not work, your other options are boosting the immune system--which I'd be doing right now. Be sure Roxy is on a high quality kibble. Supplement with some fresh fruits (apple, banana, etc.) and give her some Missing Link. Missing Link is good stuff. They sell it at Petsmart and most online catalogue companies carry it (Drs. Foster and Smith, etc.).

Another option is mitaban dips. This is probably a last resort, though plenty of vets do the dips from day one. Also, you may have read that in extreme cases a dog will be given heartworm medication every day. Tae takes Interceptor once a month for heartworm prevention, but I know it can be given every day to treat mange.

I wish you and Roxy the best!!

Missing Link (1 lb will go really far): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1615&N=2001+113500+2146959217

Info re different treatments:
http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/ddemotreat.html#Demodectic Mange Treatments

 

[lillys7]

We have been through it too... we actually did not treat it except with a cream and solid gold seameal. Guinness mange went away, but it seems he is developing a few new spots (months later) we'r enot sure if it's the demodex again but it does get better. His got so much worse before it got better but his coat looked so good with the seameal we still use it.

 

[Stephj]

Hang in there

When Capone came into rescue he didn't have spots of mange....he had spots where he didn't have it. :( He had less than 10% of his overall body hair left. I had to give him ivermectin every day for several months. After about 4 months all his hair had grown back, and you would not even believe he was the same dog. I know how hard it is to see them suffer, but hang in there....it does get better.

 

[Foxy Roxy]

thanks

Thanks to everyone for the advise. I have been reading even more about demodex today and now my problem is I'm so scared that there is some underlying illness causing her immune system to decline. I have decided to purchase the supplement "missing link" I have heard many good things posted about it and maybe it will help Roxie to become stronger and battle whatever illnesses she may encounter. Also, thanks Stephj for your encouraging post. It really does help to hear that Capone had it much worse than Roxie and it only took 4 months to cure him maybe we will see some improvement in Roxie soon...I sure hope so.

 

[Draymia]

Hang in there. Demodex does take some time to clear up. Besides being an immune problem, it is also worsened by stress. At 10 months, your girl is still undergoing the stress of growing. To me 10-15 bare spots does not sound like a hopeless case. You might also talk to your vet about getting some Goodwinol Ointment and applying to just the bare spots. I used it years ago with some very good results.

Demodex is frustrating and time consuming but you just have to keep up the treatment. Once you get it cleared up and get her spayed, you shouldn't have any more problems.

 

[crazychopper]

demodex

demodex can take up to 3 months to get rid of. you may want to ask your vet about some immunostimlants to help boost her immune system. hope everything works out for you

 

[BeckyNC]

Foxy Roxy--it might not be that your girl has an underlying health issue, but rather that she simply has a weak immune system. All of Tae's scrapings showed a few dead adult mange mites. This was a good sign in that her immune system was killing them, but, as my vet said, her immune system needed a little extra help. I should add that Tae has had no other issues related to the fact her immune system is clearly not as stong as it should be. Granted, she was only cured of mange 7 mos ago, but she has not had ay infections, etc. I understand your concern--I felt the same way.

It sounds as if you are being very diligent and educating yourself, which is will probably help your crazy girl in the long run. Keep us posted on her progress.

 

[Jan]

Hang in there. It will get better, but as others have said it it will get worse before it gets better. Avoid all stress to her system. Do not spay her and do not give vaccinations and do everything you can to boost the immune system.

Good luck!

 

[3BoxerMom]

One of my boys had demodex and it took him a good six months of Ivermectin shots to clear it up we also used a preventic collar for up to a year and this really seemed to help. Good luck, I hope Roxie gets better!