My 6 month old puppy was diagnosed with Demodicosis Mange, she got it at birth, it's hereditary. She only losing tiny wincy hair on one of her back legs that is it. My vet prescribed Ivermectin for her to us. The liquid form, where you give it to the puppy in the mouth. I really hesistant to give this to her, as I read that it is not good for this breed. I payed 40 bucks for this, and I am thinking of calling my vet tomorrow, to let her know that I am uneasy in giving this to her.
If she does have a reaction to this, I don't even have the prednisolone to give her for the side affects to recover.
I don't know what to do really, give me some advice. She is a Australian Shepard Mix, so because she is a mix, you think she will have hardly any affects by giving her the Ivermectin?

thanks
calista

It is hereditay in the same way as worms are. All dogs have the mite but in those with a low immunity it will flare up. There is a problem with the drug you have been given with Collies, sorry don't know if it affects a Australian or not. There are other treatments available I would ask for one of them to be safe.

Hi Calista,
I take it from what you have wrote that you are American?? Try and get on some of the ''aussie lists'', eg aussie-L.
Yes, Ivermectin is very dangerous to aussies, it is a big killer of aussies in the U.S.A, and is recommended not to be given to aussies or collie type breeds at all over there....
I don't know whether it is used over here, but I certainly wouldn't let my aussies use it if it was....
I would go back and ask your vet for something completely different..
Good Luck, let us know how you get on.
Gabrielle

Gabrielle (or other Aussie owners)

Slightly off-topic - as we will be having Tara spayed in a couple of months - is there anything that she should NOT be given by the vet, in the way of anaesthetic, painkillers etc. I don't think that my vet has any other Aussies on his books :)

Thanks

Daisy

Hi Daisy....
Nothing that I know about, but I will check with Applethorn, as she is a mind of information.....
I just asked what type of anaesthetic they were going to use, and they also gave her antibiotics afterwards becuase she had a bladder infection, so I asked for amoxycillin to be used.....
I just tend to stay away from drugs that may do harm to collie like breeds eg Ivermectin... your vet will obviously have dealt with collies, so he/she should have a pretty good understanding of what to steer clear of.....
Gabrielle x

Thanks :)

Daisy

Hi Daisy,
Just been chatting and yes, there are a couple of things that have proved dangerous to aussies in this country and in America.....
1) Ivermectin - this is a big killer in aussies so should obvioulsy not be used or any other drug with strains or traces of Ivermectin in them.
2) Rimadyl - an anti-inflammatory. Can be used occasionally, but not recommended for any long term use.
3) The old style anaesthetic - apparently most vets now use a new style anaesthetic for animals, it is much lighter and the dog comes round quicker from the anaesthetic. Here in the U.K. there have been a couple of aussies who have had very bad reactions to the older style anaesthetic, not sure of the reason why, but check with your vet which he uses.
My vet has just used the new style anaesthetic on Gabby and she came round a lot quicker than when my rescue aussie had the old style one. She was up and about quicker, and eating and drinking and was more like her old self.
Her stitches are out now and the lump of fluid she had is going down slowly. I dreaded getting her spayed, but now when I see her racing about and back to her usual mad self, I know it was the best thing for her.......
Good Luck with Tara, she will be fine, let me know how she is doing:-)
Gabrielle and the gang x

Gabrielle

Thanks - I will we going to get Tara's boosters done in a week or so, so will ask them then about what they use. Haven't had anything major done with my two fortunately (Bramble was neutered nearly 4 years ago, but with a different vet), so have no experience of a major op. Luckily our vet is only a mile from home and is open 7 days a week so we should have good service if there are any complications (hopefully not). Glad that Gabby is doing well, I know that I will be worried when Tara is done, but it won't be until September (we are hoping to fit a holiday in first).

Thanks for all the advice :)

Daisy