My Shelter Puppy has Sarcoptic Mange, Please Help?
Hi Everyone, I have been on the internet for about four hours now reading about this condition. After weeks of trying to figure out what was causing his itching with my vet, I finally called the rescue league where I had adopted him from. I knew this puppy’s mom, dad and littermates were all surrendered and they were all adopted prior to us adopting Milo (he was the last one and oh so cute)!! The shelter had him as a German Shepherd,Rottweiller, Collie mix, however, he does look a lot like an Aussie, so either way he is a herding dog. Anyway, when I called the rescue league they had gotten one of the puppies back a couple of weeks ago with a skin condition and the people who had adopted him couldn’t afford him. Since then, the shelter had done skin scrapings on him and couldn’t find anything but had given him Ivermectin injections and is doing considerably better. With this new information and talking to my vet and a dog dermatologist we are going to treat my pup with Revolution. My vet and the other doctor do not feel comfortable as do I to give him Ivermectin as he is a herding dog of some sort. I know the shelter had used it on the other pup, but I don’t want to take that chance. I have found comments both ways on the effectiveness of Revolution. Since this to me seems like the most obvious choice at this point, I have given both of my dogs the first treatment of Revolution this evening. (I have an eight year old beagle I had adopted six years ago and has never even had so much as a flea so this is all new for me). Has anyone had success using Revolution for treating Sarcoptic Mange? And if so, how long did it take for the itching to somewhat subside? Also, my beagle who just appeared with symptoms two days ago seems really out of sorts and is yelping when you touch her, is there anything anyone has used that I could mention to my vet to help relieve them? My vet hasn’t had many cases of this and I just want to be as informed as possible. Also, any suggestions on when I should disinfect my home? Both myself and my husband have broken out with a severe rash as well. As I had mentioned we were dealing with his itching for a few weeks and were treating him for dry skin. We had done skin scrapings and had found nothing. Once I had talked to the shelter and from the information I had gotten from them yesterday have we put the entire puzzle together. I had started with a rash roughly two weeks ago but I had started some new medication and I had also used some new fabric softener so I was in the process of ruling those things out as well, which now I know was not the issue as it didn’t clear up anyway. As soon as I found out yesterday, I got the premetherin cream and myself, husband and child have used it. I was able to get the Revolution for the dogs today and have applied it. For the humans, we have been more itchy today too, so if anyone had to be treated themselves, I would love to know how they made out on the premetherin and how quickly they felt relief. Funny thing, my son has not presented any symptoms at all, but he is being treated as a precaution. Thank you all for any input you will be able to provide.
This is my first post ever to any discussion forum. Found this one with the most intelligent responses, so thank you!
I just want to say thank you all for your input! Is there a way I can respond to your answers?
Long story…
Short answer…
There’s a test your vet can do for the MDR1 gene to see if your dog can safely be given ivermectin.
My Aussie is a “collie breed” and I didn’t know that when I gave him Ivermectin. Since it didn’t kill him when I first gave it to him, he’s safe to receive Ivermectin as he doesn’t have the gene that would cause him to die from the Ivermectin.
Since your dog’s sibling tolerated Ivermectin, your dog probably can be treated with it as well, but the test from healthgene will prove if your dog can be given Ivermectin. Good Luck with your challenges.
oh… if your dog can tolerate Ivermectin, then you can use that to treat it monthly to prevent heartworms. I can tell you how and it saves lots of money. -!-
sarcoptic mange mites?
My friends dog has sarcoptic mange Mites but he can’t afford a vet. The dog looks bad. I can’t afford one either… Is there something I can use to help this dog? We know its mange mites we have been looking at all the systems online. There are allot of products out there but what one will work… Motor oil didn’t. Help me help this dog please?!!!
Yes I was told that Motor oil will kill them… I can’t shave the hair off because she doesn’t have any. Mange mites lay eggs under the skin anyways. Shaving her would do no good. I have asked a vet and they want to charge me to come in for testing other wise they do not want to help. Local store do not carry anything for mange mites.
I think I will try more vets and see if there is a payment plan… I can’t see this dog in anymore pain. Thank you all for your help!
Topical treatments DO NOT work for mange mites as the mites live right down in the hair follicles. Some of the spot on treatments (that are absorbed through the skin) such as Revolution will help with scabies.
Ivermectin also is a recognised treatment but shouldn’t be used on collie breeds.
The dog really needs to see a vet as skin scrapings should be done to check whether it is sarcoptic or demodectic mange mites that are on the dog.
I have 2 dogs and one has demodectic mange, how can I stop the spread?
My 7 month old Dandie has just been diagnosed with demodectic mange and will soon be under the vet’s care. Now, I just read online that it can be contagious, how can I stop it from getting on my Chad? What can I buy? Please help.
TREATING DEMODECTIC MANGE NATURALLY
Demodectic Mange (Demodex canis), also called Red Mange, is a non-contagious skin disease caused by a tiny, eight-legged parasitic mite that lives in the hair follicles and skin glands of dogs. Puppies are infected with mites from contact with the skin of their mother while nursing. The disease is seen in two forms:
· Localized mange, which is confined to a few small areas such as the face or front feet,
and is relatively easy to treat, occurs in puppies under one year of age.
· Generalized mange is much more severe, and treatment is not always successful.
Most dogs have a microscopic mite population hitching a ride on their body, but the dog’s immune system handles it all very nicely. When the immune system is no longer able to control the mites, they begin multiplying, then attacking. It is thought that dogs infected with demodectic mange are immunodeficient. In other words, they are not able to fight off the mites like a healthy dog would. Heredity is believed to play a part in dogs that show signs of demodectic mange so it is strongly recommended that infected dogs be spayed or neutered. Signs of disease appear only when mites reproduce unchecked and occur in unnaturally high numbers. Outbreaks are seen around the eyes, lips and/or lower limbs when the numbers of these mites increase.
Because the immune system does not mature until 12-18 months of age, a dog with demodectic mange may have relapses until that age. It is important for treatment to begin promptly to minimize the possibility of developing uncontrollable problems. Demodectic mange in dogs over 2 years of age is classified as adult-onset, and usually occurs secondary to an underlying cause. Successful treatment of adult-onset mange relies upon identifying and correcting the underlying cause. Dogs with immune suppression due to illnesses like hypothyroid disease, and Cushing’s disease, are also candidates for demodectic mange. Demodectic mange may also occur in very old dogs because function of the immune system often declines with age.
Some dogs infected with demodectic mange may have secondary skin infections. The skin becomes dry, crusty, and brittle, it will ooze serum, blood or pus. A strong, offensive skin odor may be present due to a bacterial infection. The secondary infection responds to antibiotics like cephalexin or clavamox.
Conventional treatment depends upon the severity of the disease. Generally, veterinarians recommend treatment with a dip containing Amitraz. The dip is repeated every 7-10 days. Although the dog may respond well to the dip and look normal, dipping must be continued until negative skin scrapings are found consistently for a few weeks. The dipping may have side effects. Sleepiness and itching are common for 24 hours after the dip. Some dogs many experience decreased body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite, excitability, staggering, or other personality changes. If any of these side effects occur you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Amitraz can reduce the function of the hypothalamus, which helps regulate the body’s metabolism by controlling hormone release in the body. In animal studies, amitraz caused episodes of increased aggression, as well as some central nervous system depression. In addition to the dip, to treat more generalized cases of mange, many veterinarians are now prescribing daily doses of Eqvalan, which is liquid ivermectin. Dr. Jean Dodds has written extensively about ivermectin as a trigger for immune-mediated diseases. Ivermectin should not be used in combination with Amitraz dip nor with Amitraz tick prevention collars. These medicines are all members of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor group; when they are used together their effects combine together creating sedation and adverse neurologic effects.
Conventional treatments do work but at what expense to your dog’s health? Since conventional veterinary medicine relies heavily on a highly toxic method of treatment, and suppressed immune function is the cause of demodectic outbreaks, you should consider an alternative. Using a combination of natural diet, vitamins, minerals and herbs, you support the immune system while treating the skin.
Food selection:
Immune suppressed dogs require a high quality, all natural food. Select a raw food diet, a cooked diet, or an ultra premium dry food with lots of raw pulverized vegetables. Select organically grown vegetables or use one of the pesticide cleaners available in supermarkets for use on fruits and vegetables. Add leafy dark green vegetables, cruciferous vegetables — broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, watercress, bok choy, and carrots (carrots should be blanched one minute to release the carotenes). If you feed raw foods, increase the veggies.
To each meal: sprinkle a teaspoon of sesame seed oil–on the food. This is an important oil for immune function and skin repair. Also add a variety of dried sea vegetables like wakami, nori, dulce and kelp. The sea vegetables should be offered at least 4-5 days a week or even every day if your Akita likes it. Feed fish, boneless poached or canned fish. Do not use tuna, tuna and swordfish are laden with mercury; sardines, salmon, mackerel or fresh water fish are good choices. When giving fish, cook some white rice and mix with the fish. Avoid grains like wheat or rye–rice, barley and oats are okay.
NO VACCINES. Not even one. The immune system in these dogs is already severely stressed; they do not need additional viral components circulating in the blood. Stop using all chemicals including dips, flea/tick spot-ons, pills, or flea collars. You are attempting to reinstate immune function not add to the collective damage.
The following supplements are for the immune system and should be given daily. If you find a product that combines these antioxidants in one capsule, use it:
· Zinc: 50mg (chelated type)
· Selenium: 200mcg (There is a product called Selene E from Twinlabs. It contains
the right amount of selenium and Vitamin E)
· Vitamin E: 400 IU twice daily
· Cod liver oil capsules: 3 gel caps twice daily
· One gel cap daily: 25,000 IU of Marine carotene (it is available in health food
stores—another Twinlabs product.
· Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: start at 500mg and work up to 3,000mg by increasing in
increments of 500mg weekly. If your dog develops a loose stool, back off by 500mg
and maintain the level.
· Nutritional yeast: one tablespoon daily
· Lecithin granules: one teaspoon daily
· Milk thistle: follow directions on bottle for an adult human.
· One-half teaspoon of bee pollen (optional but great nutrients)
· Hokamix 30, a vitamin/mineral/herbal supplement: follow directions on container
The following herbs are to boost her immune system and fight bacterial infections. Wherever possible purchase organic herbs that are "Standardized."
· Olive Leaf Extract: Follow directions on bottle.
· Astragulus: Follow directions on bottle.
· Cat’s Claw: Follow directions on bottle.
· Kyolic garlic: Follow directions on bottle.
· Pau d’Arco: 4 capsules twice daily.
· Grapefruit Seed Extract Capsules or tablets: 225mg daily.
· Flax seed oil (organic) gel caps: one twice daily.
· Plant based digestive enzymes available at health food stores. Give two
capsules per meal.
Add a few tablespoons of plain yogurt to each meal or give acidophilus supplements. It is very important to maintain good intestinal bacteria when fighting parasites.
