New Foster Has Demodex Mange...

[jessicacrompton]

Hello everyone! I'm brand new here (registered about 5 minutes ago) and will be picking up a surrendered dog tomorrow. I read through a number of the forums and was so touched by the level of sincerity and true concern for the welfare of these animals.

It's for this reason I figured I'd touch base early so I can make things as easy for this pup as I can.

The story: I noticed a posting on craigslist by a woman pleading for someone to help her neighbor's dog as they said they were going to put him down. Apparently the dog has demodex mange on his face and head and they either didn't feel like treating it or were financially unable to do so...

The puppy is only 6 or 7 months old so I doubt anyone would actually euthanize the dog for them but I was worried about what measures they might take if the dog became too much.

Anyway, I contacted the woman and with the support of the rescue I work with (Paws of Tomorrow) I'll be heading to Baltimore MD tomorrow afternoon to get the little guy.

The challenge: I've never dealt with an animal with mange before and really don't want to screw this up. I've done some reading and know there are treatments and suppliments and medications available. I also know I should make sure he gets healthy nutritionally to help his body fight the infection/mites. Lastly I know I have to work to keep his environment as stress free as possible... yeah, we'll see how well that works out
with three other dogs, a cat, and a work schedule even I can't figure out it's tough.

To make a long story... well long, I'm reaching out for any suggestions or ideas you might have to help me get this little guy back in good health so he can be adopted by his furever family.

Pictures to follow soon!

[Rgeurts]

Welcome jessicacrompton! I don't have any advice for you as I have (fortunately!) not had to deal with mange. I just wanted to welcome you to the board

There are many people here who will, I'm sure, have a lot of suggestions and advice for you! You're an for taking this little guy in and getting him ready for his furever home!

[jessicacrompton]

[jessicacrompton]

[BMDLuver]

oh dear, he looks very much like Sam I Am did. If you are able to do so, look through the archives and you will see Sam's story. Basically he will need antibiotics, most likely Cephalexin, a medicated bath weekly or more, treatments of advantage multi bi-monthly, and atopica. That was Sam's regime. He had the mange but he also had seasonal allergies so we battled on and off depending on what was growing. I hope this little guy does well and thanks for giving him a chance, he will repay you with love and gratitude that will amaze you

[totallyhip]

Bless you for taking this dog into your care. I find alot of people who don't want to deal with DMange.

We have had so many cases of DManage in our rescue this past year. close to 30 last year ranging from 5 weeks old to well in to adulthood. Its terrible how people let their babies get like this. Recently we rescued a dog from Seattle that had the worst case we had ever seen. His name is Dexter. You can actually read about him on our blog. http://www.wbbr.ca/wbbr-blog/


The positive side of your dog's mange is the age. Puppies and young dogs often develop mange due to immature immune systems. As the immune systems mature (around 18-24 mnths) the concerns of mange re-occurring are few. When mange happens in older dogs it is often the signs of a compromised immune system.

We have treated many dogs with mange, Our routine is the same for all of them (changing slightly with each case and as we learn of new tricks). We feel that it's very important to deal not only with the mange mite itself but also the cause of the infestation, the immune system. The demodex or mange mite is carried by all dogs (why it is not contagious). It's up to the immune system of the dog to control the mite and in those who have an immature or compromised immune system it is unable to do so and the mite is able to take over.

For the mange itself we treat with one of two options.

We prefer to use Promeris. This is a monthly topical flea treatment which is also used in the control of demodex. We follow the regime of 1st dose, 2nd dose 2 weeks later and then further doses 30 days apart. (this medication is only available in the US)

We don't bother to do the skin scraping for 3 months from
Initially starting the treatment as you are not going to get a negative test before that time.

In severe cases we use ivomec. Dosing is key and is best given daily orally. This medication is so toxic and works against us in boosting the immune system that we prefer to use it only when the Promeris does not work.

For secondary skin infections we pull out the big guns and use keflex. 3 pills a day and will give 14-21 days depending on the severity of the secondary infections.

For comfort measures and to help promote healing. We bath the dogs every second day. We don't use pyoban or any vet product. We use Aveno Oatmeal baby shampoo. This shampoo is soothing to the skin. We scrub and we scrub hard (using a rubber wash mitt). The skin will flake off, the scabs peel off and the sores open up but we need to get through it all to find healthy skin. After the bath we use a couple of different products. Vetrycine is one of our go to sprays. This is an antibacterial, promotes healing and is soothing. We also use Aloe juice or gel. (I'll talk about it below in supplements). We will once every few days rub this in to the skin for it's comforting and healing properties. If this skin appears to be burning we use this to sooth the skin. This is pure aloe purchased from the health food store. NOT an aloe jel for sunburns etc.

Now on to supplements and food. We feel you can't treat mange if you don't treat the route cause of it which is the immune system. Help build the immune system up so it's able to kick in and maintain what all the medicines are helping it do.

Feed a high quality food low in grains or without. Raw food is optimal but not required. If switching to raw we recommend using meats only for the first while (no fruits or veggies). Mites feed on the yeast in the body and grains, fruit and veggies can help to increase the yeast levels.

Supplements that we add to help boost the immune system:
Missing Link
Edible Aloe (we purchase this from the health food store. Here the brand is Lily of the Dessert, not sure if they have that there). This comes as a concentrate, a gel and a juice. Doesn't matter which one.
Pure plain (unflavoured) yogurt.
Manuka honey. http://www.manukaonline.com/

For the open sores:
The vetrycine does a
Wonderful job in helping to heal them.
With Dexter and another boxer Mugsy we have just learned of the healing qualities of Manuka honey and have been using it to help heal the badly infected areas. You may have seen the pictures of Dexter with his head and feet wrapped. Under those wraps are gauze pads covered in honey, placed on the sores and then wrapped to keep them in place. This helps to pull the infection out and heal the skin. We have been amazed at how well it has worked and have only needed to wrap them for 4-7 days. We leave the wraps on for approx 12 hours at a time (if we are able to). Usually overnight and then let it air during the day. Usually wrapping once dry after a bath. It is also important to remove any stress from your dog. Stress during healing will often flair the mange up and slow healing.

Hope these tips helps you

Please let us know how it works for you. There's other creams etc that we have tried as well but this is currently our main regime and it seems to work wonders!

Good luck

[chico2]

Jessica,I just wanted to say Thank You,for helping this little sweetheart and I with lots of love and meds,he'll soon be as good as new