Hello! I just returned from the vet this afternoon and it turns out that my 4 month old mini doxi has Demodex mites :( Her whole body is covered. The vet has put her on an oral treatment called Decomax. I have to take her in every 2 weeks for the Decomax and a skin scraping. However the vet is not sure how long the 2 wk treatment will have to continue. She was speaking in terms of months,... like 3 to 6 or maybe even longer depending on Isabelle's (puppy) progress. She opted not to do the Dip because she felt it would be too toxic for this small puppy. I guess my question is,... has anyone ever dealt with this kind of situation before, and if so was there a full recovery?? I know I shouldn't worry cuz I trust my vet but still,... this stuff does not sound very nice or easy to kill. If anyone has any information I would be greatful. Thank you!

Chrystal

Hi.
It takes time to clear demodectic mange up, be patient and eventually she will come right. It can be re-activated in times of stress or illness. Most dogs carry the mite, its given to them at birth by their mothers, but some matings seem to "produce" the problem. You should tell the breeder of your puppy, any responsible one, will not breed from either parent again. This is the recommendation of all veterinary sources too.
Dawn.

I was told by a vet who is in dogs that if the parents of the affected animal should not be mated together again, and only removed from breeding if they had produced other cases in this litter or previous or future litters.

An affected individual should not be bred from ,as they have an immune system that is not up to snuff for some reason.

Nearly all dogs have the mite, but it is only those with a compromised immune system where the numbers increase to cause a problem. some things that compromise the immune system may be environmental.

Hi Chrystal,
Most dogs carry Demodex mites all their lives (they get it from their mothers while suckling) without having any problems. It only really becomes a problem when the dog's immune system is compromised or deficient in some way.

My book says that in these cases where the mites have taken a firm hold treatment can involve thrice-weekly dips for 10 - 12 weeks, but may also 'self-cure' when the immune system strengthens.

Be guided by your vet - she knows the latest treatments; it may be necessary to do the dipping in a few weeks when the puppy is older.

It is likely that the immunodeficiency involved is hereditary, and therefore owners should not breed from recovered animals. It would be worth telling the pup's breeder about this problem, as other's in the litter may be affected.

Hope she recovers soon.

Hi J/Genie
Would you mind telling me which book this is on the book thread Please!!!;)

Alison

I was able to contact the breeder last nite and come to find out,... my pup's mother was a first time "mom". The breeder was shocked to say the least at all of the problems I have encountered with this pup since the date of arrival. 1st Bordetella 2nd Giardia and 3rd Demodex mange, and horriable amounts of yeast in her ears!! The poor pup arrived with all three. It is no wonder the mites took over her wee body. Her immune system had an awful lot to fight. She is going to have my pup's mother tested for demodex mange, and then we will go from there. The breeder did offer to replace the puppy, but it has been a little over a month since she arrived and I am already too attached. Besides,... i've already put almost $300.00 into her,... and I don't know what kind of bugs the rest of her pups have. I am glad I did not get her for breeding purposes,... cuz I know that is out for her. Neways,.. yesterday was her first oral treatment of Decomax and she seems a bit more comfortable today :) Patience is a virtue I know :p

Hi

I can't tell you much more than everyone else has but I just thought that I would reassure you. My pup had Dermodectic (sp?) mange when he was about 12 weeks old and had awful sore patches around his snout and eyes where the vet was taking scrapings etc.

He is now 18 months and is totally fine, you would never know. We were advised to bath him in the solution once a week and also rub cream into the very sore bits which we did for about 4 weeks and it totaly cleared up.

Hope this helps!
Jayne

Hi Jayne,
Good news of a successful outcome always helps!!! Well done! :)

Jayne bless you!! That is good to hear :) My vet did tell me that my pups chances of a full recovery are very good. I know it is going to be a very slow process because she is covered from nose to tail. She is looking better to me, but then again i am "mom" :p The oatmeal spray stuff has really improved her skin,.. it is not nearly as inflamed, flaky, scaby, ect. And she is barely itchin anymore. With any luck at all she will be all healed before long. Thank you to everyone who replied,... your words of encouragement and otherwise are greatly appreciated. :)

If pup is no longer itching then it sounds like the mite is under control, and it just needs the skin and coat to recover :D

Hi

Glad to help! Just another quick tip to add - we give Ossie one garlic tablet every morning with his breakfast to help with his coat condition and to keep fleas at bay. I know that this won't directly help with the mange mite but it may be worth checking with your vet next time you see him whether it is okay to start doing this with your pup.

Os' coat is in fantastic condition and we always get compliments as to how sleek and shiny he looks, which is amazing considering what he used to look like!!!!

Thanks
Jayne

Jayne, I think I know exactly what you mean! Isabelle's hair has come back like she is on RowGain :P She just went into the vet right before Easter for her second dose of Dectomax and my vet was floored! No one can believe it is the same dog, and it has only been 3wks since the begining of her oral treatment (which is only once every two weeks). As for her skin and coat,.. she is on Omega 3 fatty acids twice a day, and once the mites are completely under control she will go on "Super 14" which is the best of the best for the skin and coat for dogs, cats, and horses.

I do have one other concern though,.. my vet has recomended that I spay Isabelle. But I don't want to :( Not that I have any intention of breeding her. She has not yet reached her first heat cycle and she is 5 months old. My vet doesn't want her heat cycle to bring on another on set of the mange, which i can understand. From what I have read and researched,.. that only happens with some females, and more commonly the ones diagnosed with the (severe) Generalized mange. Is that wrong?? I would like to just sit tight and see what happens with her first heat cycle and go from there. I can always spay her if the mites pose a problem,.. but from the looks of my puppy I seriously doubt that will happen. She grows bigger and stronger everyday :) Neways if I am out in left field here, somebody plz let me know.

Thank you,.. ICY

Hi

Just thought that I would say congratulations as to Isabelle's improvement. In terms of the spaying I can't give you much advice as I have never heard of it before...

Os has not had any problems since the original mange was cleared up and it was my understanding that the dog will develop a natural immunity to the mite so that there won't be any future problems, so I am not too sure about your vet's advice.

Someone else may be able to help though....

Jayne

Jayne, ty for ur reply. Today was Isabelle's third treatment, and first skin scrapes, since the initial one. She was scraped in 3 places and only ONE mite was seen under the microscope!!! Ok ok, so ask me if i'm a happy "momma"?? *LOL* As far as the spaying goes,.. I did opt to go ahead and do it. I was told it is something in the female hormones during the heat cycle that can bring on another onset of the mites. How this whole thing works,.. I have no clue. But if there is ANY possibility of these nasty little critters comin back,.. then to me it is worth spaying her just to be on the safe side. So she will be re evaluated and spayed on 5/15. Thanks again for ur posts. You and everyone else have been most helpful. Your success story of Os definatly boosted my hopes for Isabelle. After 6 long wks it finally looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thanx again,.. Icy :)

The following is taken from 'MY' website so is ok to cross post, see my profile for other problems that are listed or contact me direct.

Demodex mites are believed to be normal commensal organisms of most canines. The immune system keeps the mites in check allowing them to live on the animal without causing disease. If the immune system has an inherent inability to control the mites OR if the immune system is compromised for any reason, the mites can get out of control and cause clinical signs. These signs include alopecia (loss of hair), inflamed skin, pruritus (itchiness), and secondary skin infections. If untreated, mild cases may resolve once the immune system starts functioning optimally again (this if often seen in pups). Severe cases will usually require 4-6 weeks minimum of therapy which involves either dips in amitraz (Mitaban) or oral ivermectin at high doses. These products only inhibit and control the mite. The immune system MUST become functional or the Demodectic mange will NEVER clear up.

Due to the immune systems critical role in Demodectic mange, animals with severe cases are usually suspected to have either a genetic immune defect OR a serious metabolic/hormonal condition such as hypothyroidism or Cushings Disease that suppresses the immune system. In either case, these animals are not considered of sufficient genetic health to breed and should be spayed or neutered.

Rex, ty for the info. I have spent hours upon hours researching Demodex. My pup has the juvenille onset. She has been recieving 2wk treatments and scrapings since April. She has no redness, no oozing spots on her skin, and she is not bald. The worst she has right now is the dark pigmented skin especially on her back. She just got dipped about 2wks ago and now her skin in turning a white color, and the little blackheads are going away. She does shed a lot and her coat is sparce in some areas, but nothing major. I am about to try a new product called Nu-Stock. I have heard good things about it and I figure it is worth a try.

hi guys...as far as i know treatment of choice for generalized demodex is ivomec,orally...though you can topically apply it in localized cases............supplement with fatty acids and use frontline for fleas