Home Forums Birds & Dogs Hunting Dogs Demodectic mange

Well heck, that Heeler pup we bought has developed what looks like a classic episode of demodectic mange (see http://www.marvistavet.com/html/demodectic_mange.html)

Like sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange is caused by a mite, unlike the virulent other form however, demodectic is non-contagious. Most all dogs have these mites, in only a few do they multiply enough to cause mange. Apparently due to a deficiency in the dog's immune system. Neither parent had this condition, we just got lucky I guess <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.

Sooo.. a bald scaly spot on either side of top of the dog's head, a bit of bare skin around the eyes. The puppy is eleven weeks old, does not appear to be bothered by the mange.

I wasn't too impressed with the vet who gave the dog a brief once over and then prescribed irvermectin to kill the mites, an antibiotic to treat the minor skin irritation, and two different shampoos, one merely fancied-up regular shampoo, the other insecticidal.

The reason I wasn't too impressed was that she didn't mention this condition in puppies clears itself 90% of the time, might take a few months is all.

The dog does not appear distressed and frankly, I don't mind having an ugly dog, might cut down on those occasional idiots who allow their little kids to run up and manhandle my dogs in the park.

Plus I'd prefer to have the dog's own imune system handle this. Plus again it'd be helpful to know if the dog is one of those rare few totally susceptible such that they go bald over much of their body, which is generally a chronic, expensive and often fatal condition. The best way to judge this being to allow the original infestation to run its course. If the dog turns out to be chronic I will treat her once (not bad, only about $150) but have her put down should the condition return.

Oh yeah, yet another caution is that ivermectin can have adversive effects on the herding breeds (something else the vet didn't mention).

Sooo... for the moment I shall do nothing special beyond bathing the dog. Anyone have any thoughts on this issue?

The bare skin on the head probably is susceptible to sunburn, does anyone know how sunblock affects dogs? If it works on dogs too I could apply it in the field if necessary and then immediately wash it off with soap and water when we got back.

Birdwatcher

I'd avoid the ivermectin - too risky on a number of fronts.

The treatment I'd use is an insecticide ointment, an anti-bacterial ointment, and an iodine containing shampoo (for fungal infections). If the dog was inclinded to scratch the infected area, I would add in a topical painkiller.

Secondary bacterial/fungal infections are the main concern medically. If the dog is susceptible to a generalized mange problem you want to know that now - sad as it is.

Let the dog's immune system do its thing.

Well Jog, I went back to my old vet, previously we got sucked in to taking this one dog to a vet at the local "PetStupid" pet store chain outlet on account of they were open on Sundays and evenings.



Got an appointment tomorrow am, turns out what our vet does in such cases is mostly just prescribe a cleansing shampoo to wash the mites out, give an antibiotic ointment and have the dog wear a tick collar, the active ingredient amitraz also works on mites. An amitraz dip is a possibility too.



These measures should clear up demodectis in most puppies while not being aggressive enough to halt the spread in those dogs with little or no resistance. Treating but still testing for susceptibility so to speak.



Another method found browsing on the internet is to wash the bald spots with benzoic peroxide (??) shampoo to cut through the oil and flush out the mites and treat with tea tree oil to control staph infections.



A real pity, and just bad luck as far as I can tell, I dunno how the rest of the litter is working out. We are real pleased with the dog so far, I hope this works out.



Birdwatcher

Birdwatcher,



Your plan sounds good to me. If your dog spends a lot of time wet I would consider the Iodine shampoo on top of the rest. Skin problems/scabs and wet fur can really cause a fungal problem, which in turn can trigger an alergic reaction - not fun in the middle of a mange treatment. You won't know what's causing what.



I wouldn't worry about generalized mange. We only get high falutin' dogs from reknowned breeders and demodectic mange still happens. Groups of puppies get hauled from one place to the next for shows, sales, and fairs - it's impossible to avoid. Dog nurse each others puppies, even strangers. Worms rank high in the PITA department too.



That said, a good breeder will guarantee resistance to mange and all the other chronic nasties. My brother picked up a GSP puppy last fall that showed mange at about the same age as your dog. He treated the secondary possibilities and the mange went away by itself.

Thanks JOG... I will say that this case has progressed with bewildering speed, or maybe the hair falling out of the affected areas all at once makes it seem so. It went from "maybe it has a touch of mange" on Saturday to "oh gross!" just this past couple of days.

The dog is obviously listless and under the weather this evening, rectal temp only at 102 but warm body and nose saying otherwise. If she DOES have an immunodeficiency problem, I expect right about now is when it would make itself known, the antibodies from mom's milk just now wearing off.

...and here I was thinking Heelers were about the closest thing to an indestructible dog there is.

Anyhow, I'll keep ya posted.

Birdwatcher

Well, went to the vet today. The dog is on heavy duty antibiotics for the next ten days until she heals before she can be dipped. We gave a her a bath in benzoic peroxide shampoo (prescription) today to wash the oil, dead hair and mites off and she looks 100% less gross, albeit bald on top.

The bad news is she also has small patches of demodex in her armpits and crotch, not a good sign.

Grabbing at straws here; my wife, the heeler mix and this puppy were all out in a canoe on the coastal wetlands of Corpus Christi Bay for four hours this past Sunday (right before this condition took off). I'm wondering if the puppy didn't pick up one of those nasty coastal strains of staph from swimming in the water. Plus, come to think of it, we never did rinse the saltwater out of her fur afterwards.

Anyways.... ten infection-free days to see how she does, then we decide where we want to go from there based upon how the mange progresses.

Birdwatcher

I don't post much but do lurk on this forum quite a bit. I had a great Elhew pup with this type of mange. After several hundreds of dollars and un-told frustrations I had to return the pup to the breeder. I have since found/heard of several more Elhew dogs with problems. The pup wasn't put down and a season later he still has it on recurring basis - everytime he's stressed. I would suggest returning the dog to the breeder if it does not clear up right away. I replaced the pup with a started Miller/Elhew 18 month old dog and he's been great thus far. I am no dog expert but believe that some dogs have been line bred in such a manner that genetic problems are cropping up. There may be a case for ruthless culling in some of these lines but few breeders really cull - they just sell off the un-wanted or rejected puppies. Just my two cents worth to share some of your problems since I've been there. Best regards and have a great day.