Stronghold contains a form of ivermectin, and is licensed for dogs in the UK. In theory, it should be effective for Decoden. mange. Depending on your breed you may be able to get Ivomec. injections for the dog, however, it is not licensed for use on dogs in the UK, and if you vet will use it you may have to sign a waiver. It can be lethal to any dog carrying the blue merle gene, so should not be used on collies, shelties etc. Have used ivomec. in the past on American Cockers without problem, and it is used routinely in other countries, including the USA.

Thank you for the information Gwen. I have German Pointers and Bracco. I will make some enquiries when I see my vet later this week :-)

Thanks Leigh,
I was getting Demodectic and Sarcoptic mange confused with one another. My mom warned me off of a couple of mangey dogs when I was around 5 years old saying that I could "lose" my hair if I petted them. That's what's stuck in my memory :) Still :( :( for the poor pups.

Horrors--- People actually dipped their dogs in motor oil!!!!! Doesn't this make the cure worse than the problem??????
I'm relieved that there's a warning on the website not to do this.

There's been a couple of young children/babies in the US who have recently died because they accidently ingested baby oil after becoming coated when grabbing the non-child proof bottles. The drs. didn't even know this was possible. No way would I dip any animal into oil. I guess I grew up too much with images of oil disasters like Valdez and others to think it would be healthy :(
toodles

Unfortunately this practice still goes on in some parts of the world :(
I was horrified, just a couple of years ago, when my brother-in-law (who lives in the Philippines) told me he soaked his dogs with used engine oil as a treatment against fleas. Apparently it's common practice out there, can't understand why an *educated* person from the UK would think it's ok though
I'll never forget one poor little beach puppy (at least I think it was a pup, it was difficult to tell :( ) that I saw when I was out there. He had such a sad little face and was absolutely riddled with mange, no hair at all and very thickened black skin :(

Leigh I was told that Stronghold would not do the job - I can't find where on this site it says it will - shall I look again. Jackie

Just re-read your post and you say 'preventative' I have been told that all dogs carry the mite so how can it be preventative. Have just gone through a very worring time with my dog and now from what you say it was not needed and I could have used Stronghold - if what you say is correct I will have my vets guts for garters!!!!!!!!!!!

Jackie, do you remember when I had sick foxes in my garden? They were treated (not for mange I hasten to add) by the Fox Project. It was the lady from the FP that told me all about Stronghold. She said it was the only thing on the market that covered mange and that it would be wise to treat my dogs, as I have a fox problem. She told me they use it! :-)

NB: I note on their site that they recommend a homeopathic remedy for mange, and have a mange helpline

Hi Leigh, My vet lives again, Stronghold is fine for Sarcoptic Mange and Cheyletiellosis but not for Demodectic as this type of mange is only apparent when it is out of control and would therefor need a stronger and more concerntrated approach. I was concerened because from Leigh's post it appeared that she had read that Stronghold was a cure for an outbreak of Demodectic Mange. See post under Ivermectin and you will see the good news that we have just managed to get control of this, my poor old boy has had a very bad attack and I'm pleased to say he is now a good deal better. Jackie

Hi Jackie, thank you for the clarification :-) No, I was told that it was the only thing on the market that *prevented* your dogs getting mange.

Don't think you can *prevent* unless you sprayed a pup at birth before it could feed or the dam cleaned it, which would not be possible I don't think. All dogs have the mite but it only runs riot when the dogs immune system is not working as it should, and pups who develop lesions should not be used for breeding because it is thought to be hereditary. My dog had it as a puppy and it was cured with out much trouble although it took a while. He is now approching 13 and has had another outbreak and we think the lowered immunity may have been caused by some hormone tablets he was taking because of another problem. Still we are back on a even keel now and he is beginning to grow hair back which will be a blessing as he has is completle naked from the mid line down apart from a little tuft on his manhood. Jackie

Jackie I am glad your oldy is getting better. What a nightmare for you and him :-( Again, thank you for the information. It helps to know all the ins and outs on these things doesn't it.

Thanks Leigh, must admit a couple of months ago I was preparing myself and the family to say goodbye to him, he was so depressed I had said only 4 more days and we must let him go. Now he is running around the field not like a 2 year old, but the best he can, as on one front leg the pasten is completely on the ground, so the run is a bit lopsided to say the least, still he does not care. When one of mine gets a problem with their health I do all I can to learn as much as I can about it, that way I can question the vet and keep up with what they are doing. Hence the enthusiastic repling to some posts if I think I have a reasonable knowledge of the particular problem. Only wish I could spell some of the words involved, still people seem to manage.
Ja:)kie

I know what you mean Jackie. I'm the same :-)
Ask me anything about diarrhoea/bowels/intestine etc, and I will tell you all I know .. LOL

I'd make a great after dinner speaker :D

LOL Leigh, me too :)
Christine2

Hi Leigh, I'm not too sure that I would want you talking on that particular subject after my dinner thanks, else you may get an unwanted demo. Ja:Dkie

Leigh I think you will find that Stronghold is recomended and effective against Sarcoptic mange, the catching sort, that is picked up usually from foxes, and can be passed on to humans. Demodex is on most dogs at manageable levels, and seems to flare up when the immune system is compromised, hence the advice not to breed from an affected dog.

Hi Jackie, Stronghold contains much lower doses or ivermectin than ivomec, so takes much longer to cure the problem, and in realy bad cases may struggle to work (info from my VET). Ivomec should be problem free for all dogs other than those carrying the Blue Merle gene. What breed do you have? As far as my vet can find out from the manufactureres Stronghold should be universally safe, but as she is not 100% sure about the claims, she does not prescribe it for collies etc until futrther research data is published. The advantage of Stronghold is that it is effective for prevention of almost all forms of parasites, but is mild enough for regular use. So. regular use of Stronghold should make it impossible for the mange to return. Have been using it since January last year, and have not had one spot of itching on any of the dogs.
Gwen

I thought I was right about stronghold as I remember a breeder saying she always used it for they reasons

Pam

Sorry Pam but I think the breeder was confused. Ja:)kie

Hi Jackie you are right off course :-) it was the Sarcoptic type caught from foxes I was thinking about. I am sure it was WL that posted about it but not had time to look.

Pam

Hi,
I have Bull Terriers but luckily have never had demodectic mange, however I know a few people who have.
First of all all dogs have demodective mites but the 'mange' is actually caused when these mites get out of control i.e they are often the symptom of another underlying problem.
Wrong diet can cause a flare up, flea bites, hormones, even uknown causes, etc. There is currently a survey being undertaken by Gaynor Richardson on skin Health in Bull Terriers. I will shortly be posting a copy to www.bullterriernpbtc.homestead.com/ , hope anyone with skin problems in BTs will fill this in and send it off to Gaynor.

Freinds of ours with a mild case of demodective mites had it diagonosed by the Vet (very important as it could just be an allergy) and treated successfully with Aludex.

Hope this is of help.
Sharon
Bullywood Bull Terriers

I understand that a shampoo will help to clear it up
with other medication. Called Maliseb I think!
Years ago I was told when I owned a horse that if
ever a horse gets mange, is to get some bran mash
pee in it and then add put on the mange. As my
daughter would say . OHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! YUK
Of course I dont know if it would work on a dog, this
is an old wives tale about horses.
Nutkin

Nutkin there are different sorts of mange, this one can not be cleared with Maliseb. Jackie

We had a Doberman pup years ago who arrived with demodectic mange, we had to bathe her with a revolting green oily shampoo and leave it on for a while (can't remember length of time) it took a while to clear it but think (?) it was called demodex. We were told by the vet not to use her for breeding.

Lorraine