Vitamins and mange

[bentleyjy]

I have been doing alot of reading on this board but still have a few questions, sometimes I feel overwhelmed and just want to make sure I'm doing what is best for my precious pup. My 5 month old pup has generalized mange. We are using ivermectin (a chemical I know, but I just don't know what else to do and know I don't want the mitaban dips) but I would like to boost his immune system with some holistic options. I just don't know if what I am thinking about is too much. I'm thinking about: (proper doses of course)
Fish oil
Vitamin e
Vitamin ester c
Aloe vera juice
Coconut oil
Ocassional egg
5 star dog food

I also am going to mix some neem with the shampoo for our occasional baths.

Any help is welcome, thank you sooooo much!

 

[Caney Creek]

I'm sorry your pup is dealing with mange :( A high quality food is a MUST for a healthy immune system, and the supplements you mentioned might be worth trying as well.

I have been giving my dogs B-Complex for the past couple of months after reading an article about vitamin B deficiencies in dogs, and I have noticed a drastic change in one of the two. Caney has been less itchy, more active, more playful, and overall seemed happier since I've been giving her vitamin B-complex.

Here's some good info on vitamins for dogs:
Dog Tip: Dog Tip: Vitamins
Vitamin B Complex For Dogs (Dosage Conversion Chart)

 

[Cami]

When my first girl had d-mange at 6 months of age I gave her:
Fish Oil--2 1000mg capsules a day split between meals. She continued this for her entire life.
Vitamin C--250mgs twice a day split between meals and also continued for the rest of her life. They were chewable wafers and easily split in half.
Vitamin E (can't remember the dose).
Apple Cider Vinegar "Braggs" brand. Cap full added to water daily (two bowls of water/morning and night).
The Missing Link--nutritional supplement comes in a powder form. The original version not the one for joint health. Followed dosing instructions on the bag.
It was also at this time that I started supplementing her diet with whatever fruits and veggies she wanted and were safe for dogs. Dogs don't NEED these but she liked them and they worked for her. Bananas were her favorite followed by apple slices, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, low sodium green beans, etc...
Again she didn't need these but she was a treat hound and these were a sure fire way to make sure she didn't gain weight eating treats all day! She continued to be a fan of fruits and veggies her whole life.
From the first sign of hair loss and diagnosis until all the hair was grown back in and she was free of d-mange it was just shy of 4 months. She had the localized version and no more than 7-10 areas of missing hair in total.
We tried the Goodwin Oil topical treatment for less than 2 days (she wanted to lick it off). We also tried Ivermectin for just ONE day. I mixed it with honey due to the HORRIFIC taste. She developed hives and it was determined she was allergic to honey (and would stay that way her entire life). I discontinued the Ivermectin as soon as I read about the potential side effects and that d-mange was able to self resolve on its own in many cases.

 

[lspirit]

You've had some good advice from others who responded. I'll add some things that I have had good luck with in treating both pups and adult dogs that have had demodex mange.

I have had good success in using Immugen (by Thorne), which is an immune system support supplement. Don't know if I'm allowed to supply links, so check Google for availability and info. I have used this on many d-mange dogs. Like another respondent stated, I have used coconut oil. I've used it as a supplement to food and used it topically on any dry, scaly or open sores. When used topically, I would blend together the coconut oil, a little lavender oil and some neem oil. Speaking of neem oil, I have found this to be an essential part of treating d-mange. In bathing, I would use a neem oil shampoo or add neem oil to a natural based shampoo (not oatmeal, though). Neem oil is thought to kill the mites and/or to act as a contraceptive, meaning it keeps the mites from reproducing. I have had such success with this bathing method that my conventional, non holistic rescue vet began recommending it to her other clients with great success.

I, personally, feel that with a d-mange dog, a grain free diet is best. Depending on the dog, the age, the severity of the d-mange, I have used Orijen, Honest Kitchen and a raw diet or a combination of all the above.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[bentleyjy]

Thanks for your responses. You have been so helpful. Obie hasn't had any side effects from the Ivermectin and takes it straight with just a squirt in his mouth, but I just hate giving it to him if I don't have too. I'm seriously considering stopping it. I'm going to increase my safe fruits and vegetable too since he also likes these as treats. Didn't know that about oatmeal shampoo so good to know. It's great to hear I'm right on track with the vitamins and I'll check out the missing link and other supplement listed. I think it's time for the neem bath mixture, I had been putting it off since I know your not supposed to bathe boxers very often. How often do you bathe your boxer that has mange with a neem oil shampoo? Thanks again!!!!

 

[markanthony]

mange

Our little guy finally kicked demodex this past month. We struggled for 3 months dealing with treatment options. He was born 4/23/11 and the demodex started around the beginning of September, 2011. We believe it manifested due to two bouts with pneumonia and also our vet's aggressive vaccination schedule (this is our first dog and we had no idea - we just trusted our vet - also, we got him from a pet store, which was mistake number 1....live and learn). Anyways, the vet first gave us mitaban. We used it once (not really knowing what it does to the dogs, and again, relying on and trusting our vet). The poor guy was lethargic for days, aside from the risk to him, the product is a pure chemical pesticide and I wish I never exposed me and my family to it.

Anyways, we tried most of what was suggested in the prior posts, and with time, it just got better. I think the recovery is contingent upon the dog's immune system getting stronger on its on (as the dog gets older) and definitely with the help of these supplements and routines.

After using the mitaban once, we tried a more holistic approach in October, 2011 and did the following:

(1) raw diet -- this is the best food possible for them. After educating ourselves on most kibble out there and the benefits of raw -- it was a no brainer (if you can afford it, this is without a doubt the best change you can implement to deal with mange and your dog's overall health).

(2) nustock - we used nustock on the spots every three or four days.

(3) 2 baths a week with a benzol peroxide shampoo -- Davis® Sulfur Benz Shampoo It is important to shampoo the dog at least once a week.

(4) omega supplements - i think the vet recommended 300 mg a day of both omega 6 and 9.

(4) it was difficult but we gave in and used ivermectin, administered orally daily (.1 ml per 10 pounds of dog weight). We tried the above remedies and the mange wasn't getting better, so we gave in and used the ivermectin. we changed vets and started going to a homeopathic vet, who told us that ivermectin is really the only thing that will work.

All in all, we do not know what got our little guy better, but we are so happy that he is better now, and would not wish this experience on anyone.

Good luck! Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Mark.