Red Mange

[Canesmom]

Had anyone else had any experience with this? I found out that Cane has it. He started losing hair around his eye so I took him to the vet immediately and they diagnosed him with it. We have to keep him on Ivomec for 2 MONTHS!!! They also told me that it is hereditary. I will do whatever it takes to get him well and to make this go away. Poor thing, I feel so bad for him. As soon as he is over this we are going to have him neutered.

I called the BYB that we got him from and they (of course) said that they didn't know anything about it and that neither of their dogs have it. This just makes me soooo mad. I want to call the AKC and tell them that they are breeding these dogs knowing that there is something wrong. Is there something that can be done? Also if anyone else knows anything that may be helpful with his red mange, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Sherri

[delila]

"Red Mange" is Demodectic Mange (Demodex).

I have had 1 dog who has had this. My dog had it around her muzzle, tips of her ears, and around her eyes. She has it as a young puppy.

We did a series of mitoban dips for treatment. They worked just fine and she now is without it :)

From what I understand, localized (i.e. only around eyes, or other localized areas) mange is very treatable. The only troubles I have heard of with this type of mange is when it is generalized - meaning that the mange is taking over and spreading everywhere.

I also beleive that this type of mange is due to a compromised or not fully developed immune system. It is transmitted from mother to pup. It is NOT CONTAGIOUS from dog to human or dog to dog for that matter.

I know there is more I would like to write - but I am having a complete brain burp right now.

I will chime in as memory is restored!;)

[chivas]

My Chivas had parvo for 10 days, got better and then developed demodex, which is not unusual after a serious illness. I dipped her in Mitaban every 2 weeks for 6 weeks and she completely recovered.
All dogs have the mite on their bodies and some actually aquire demodex after a serious illness like parvo but it can also pop up w/o any preceding illness. Your dog's immune system is probably a bit weak, you may want to look into supplements (like vitamin c) to help strengthen it since you know it is compromised.
It can be cured and your dog should have no long lasting effects, but keep on top of it, it can spread all over the body and then is MUCH harder to cure.
Good luck! :)
Kim

[Lorrie]

The condition “mange” isn’t hereditary, but the predisposition to be over sensitive to the mites and the predisposition to an inferior immune system surely is!

Most all puppies have the demodex mite since it’s naturally transmitted from the mother during her care of the puppies. It’s just not problematic with most of them. Rather, the thing that causes demodectic mange to become evident is that certain conditions or “triggers” cause a breakdown of the immune system and the body can’t tolerate the toxins from the mite any longer and skin eruptions then occur.

To treat Demodex actually requires a two-pronged type of treatment that strives to treat A) right now and then B) to be proactive by keeping mites at bay, making the dog less attractive and also building the immunity. Antibiotic therapy may be needed if the irritation of the skin has caused secondary skin infections to set in. Demodectic mange can be most frustrating to treat for many reasons. Because it is stress induced and immune-related, it can recur again and again, and in some dogs it may be a life-long condition.

You first have to kill the mites with a mitacide like amitraz (brand name Mitaban) in a series of dips (usually 3 or 4) done over a period of weeks. You can also give diphenhydramine (that's the generic name of good old "Benedryl" to cool off the itchy skin .. ask the vet for dosage. Using a good benzoyl peroxide shampoo before dipping AND in between times it opens the pores and "flushes" them out.

Once the mites are under control you can look into a number of different things to boost the immune system . . something necessary to prevent re-occurance. Supplements like Echinacea, Colosturm, Astralgus, Vits C, A D and E which are anti-oxidants and Omega 3 for example.

Hope this helps!