Horrible time lately :( Update! :)

Hi everyone!

Well Rocky's demodex seems to be getting worse again, bleeding a lot and scabbing as well as a lot of fur lost around his eyes now as well as the lost fur from previously (neck front and back, complete loss under front paw, and rear leg)
He is on anti biotics, the first night we gave them to him he vomited straight after dinner, so we kept an eye on this, and has been on the tablets for roughly 2 weeks now and he has been fine until 2 days ago, he hasn't been himself at all, after he eats he walks around head and tail down whimpering and heaving wanting to throw up, I've stopped the tablet to see how he went but he was still a bit funny so back to the vet tomorrow :(Any idea what this could be? Just so worried there is an underlying issue, not sure if I should go to a different vet now either.

I'm at my wits end with this demodex he really hasn't been himself and im just so worried.

Awe Maria, poor you & rocky sounds like your going through a really rough time, definitely best to get him checked over at the vets, if your not happy with your vet is there not another vet in the area you could ring for some advice.

Aww poor Rocky, I know how horrible it can be. Just remind me, what is the treatment he is on for the mites?

Hayley, I think I might call another vet tomorrow there are quite a few around me, so might be best just to make sure.

Saz he is getting fortnightly advocate as well as a fortnightly medicated wash just to help extract the dead mites the vet said. So just really frustrated I feel like it's not working and I don't know what's going on with my boy

It doesn't sound like it's working, and if it's spreading it may be becoming generalised, I would take him back to the vets before it gets any worse.

Ask them about 'Ivermectin', Daisy was not on this at first but once she started on it, recovered really quickly. It is given as an oral liquid medication.

I will definitely ask, thank you so much Saz x Hopefully we can get him on a better treatment and start to see improvements

I know you were trying to boost his immune system too, which will help. To keep the mites away and try to boost Daisy's immune system I give her Apple Cider Vinegar daily, neem powder a few days a week, vitamin B complex daily and echinachea powder daily, but only every other month  

Poor Rocky   I would be tempted to get a second opinion from another vet.

I have given Rocky the apple cider vinegar every few days or so, and im in the process of researching feeding raw, so trying to gather as much info before I make the switch. But will take the other products in mind and introduce them also, thank you so much Saz.

Kathy, you are definitely right, I'm going to give another few local vets a ring tomorrow before I visit my normal vet and see how it goes. x

Try not to worry, you will get him sorted hun, honestly if you saw the pics of Daisy then and now you wouldn't beleive it!

I am also planning to go 'raw', starting with fozen complete in the next few weeks  

Poor Daisy, glad she is all sorted now

Ohh frozen starts like a good way to start! Good luck with it Saz, im sure Daisy will love it!

Aww Maria, poor Rocky sounds like he is having a really rough time. Sending big hugs for both of you xx

Chiquito has been tested for this more times than I can remember, touch wood all negative results .. this has led to lots of discussions re treatments for it though. In regards to the treatments available, my vet (and my breeders vet) advocates the drenching method for the treatment of mange and those I know who have used it have been happy with the results. In saying that, all of the people I know who have had dogs treated have noted the symptoms got worse before they got better - not a side effect of the treatment but rather a sign that it is being effective.

Rocky will be sorted soon as well

Yes that's right, any hair with a mite in it will fall out so it looks worse.

I think by the drenching method you mean the mitaban/Amitraz (I think that's right) dips. Daisy started with those and then moved on to Ivermectin as well. The dips made her very poorly which is why I would prefer the Ivermectin.

Thanks Kell xx My vet did say that also, but have there has been discussion of starting him on an 'off label' treatment which can be risky, and I'd rather avoid that avenue by all means possible.
I knew it would get worse, but it's just been really bad for so long, and with all else that is going on with him It's stressing me out! missed out on uni a few days just to stay home with him in case of anything!

Thank you so much for the reassurance everyone  

Yea, poor Rocky is starting to look like a old baldy poor little boy

When Vinny had mites our vet told us about a course of weekly injections that are more effective than the fortnightly dips. We opted for those and I think Vin had about 8 - they really did work quicker and the best part was that after every shot he had so much energy, so there was no getting worse but only getting better and boosting his immune system. Perhaps you could find out if you get anything like that over there.

I haven't heard of the injections Lisa but will definitely ask thank you x

Have you had chance to get back to the vets yet hun?

I did Saz, walked out in tears. I went to my normal vet and had asked if there is anything else we could do, or should be doing, and also explained the other symptoms, the vet said to me that i should stop worrying so much there is nothing wrong with him and that he has more serious cases to deal with right now. I was furious, and so upset at the same time.
Booked another appt with a new vet on Monday, after ringing 13 more vets to ask for advice, one came highly recommended as she seems lovely too, so fingers crossed I can get some idea of what is going on, he seem to be getting very very off, he will only go on 1 or 2 walks, 3rd walk he wont even let me put the lead on now, just so stressed!

Aww no poor rocky & you what a horrible vet hopefully Mondays visits gets rocky the help he needs

Awww hun, what a horrible vet :-( they need to do another scrape and if there are mites consider other treatments! Glad you've made an appointment some where else, hope it goes ok, try not to worry xxxx

Thank you both, the vet im going to see said thats the first thing we are going to do, another scrape, so hopefully all goes well Will update on Monday, xxx

Some dogs are very sensitive to the medication and it can knock them sick  Hope he feels better soon.

Thanks Claire, weird thing is I stopped the meds just in case, and he is just the same if not worse the past few days!

Glad you have made the decision to see another vet .. even if they are only able to assure you that you are doing the right thing, at least you will be seeing someone who is more understanding and willing you give you the information you need!

Let us know how he gets on Maria x

Sorry Maria only just caught up on this, I hope you get some answers soon  

Poor Rocky!

Maria90 wrote:I did Saz, walked out in tears. I went to my normal vet and had asked if there is anything else we could do, or should be doing, and also explained the other symptoms, the vet said to me that i should stop worrying so much there is nothing wrong with him and that he has more serious cases to deal with right now. I was furious, and so upset at the same time.
Booked another appt with a new vet on Monday, after ringing 13 more vets to ask for advice, one came highly recommended as she seems lovely too, so fingers crossed I can get some idea of what is going on, he seem to be getting very very off, he will only go on 1 or 2 walks, 3rd walk he wont even let me put the lead on now, :(just so stressed!

That vet sounds like an absolute pig!  Every animal that goes in there with a problem, no matter what the problem is, should be treated seriously. And he should have more compassion for the owners as well, considering it's their animal that's suffering.

I hope the new vet can work something out with you!  

Glad to hear you ditched that arrogant vet, Maria. He needs to learn some manners as well as realise where his bread and butter is coming from  

I do hope that your new vet is much more satisfactory, and that poor Rocky recovers very soon    

Thanks Kell, so so true, I don't think how worried I am should ever stop even in the smallest of cases, I'm a caring owner and there should be more people that care about their pets just like us!

Thanks Janey  

Thanks Eleanor Very true, couldn't believe how rude and disgusting he was, made a complaint as soon as I got home!

Thanks Lynda, I hope he recovers soon too, at least just some answers or reassurance, can't stand to see my little boy like this  

Will keep you all updated x

Well I was meant to go to the new vet today with Rocky but their receptionist called me to let me know that the vet had an emergency operation to attend to and we had to reschedule which was fine. Rescheduled for tomorrow to get him looked at.

But what I was completely shocked at, was this afternoon the vet called me to apologise for the short notice on cancellation and asked me to explain what was going on and then let me know some possible treatments that we could look at after she checks him out tomorrow. I was so shocked she personally called and took the time out to apologise let alone spend a bit of time asking me what is wrong even though I'm in there tomorrow!!! I think I have found my new vet yay! She seems lovely!

Nice! That sounds like a brilliant vet!

Pleased she sounds nice and I hope you get some answers tomorrow

That vet sounds like one I would try my best to hang onto. The animals health and wellfare coming first, good for them, well done a great find.

Wow that's brilliant, sounds like a good vet, hope is goes well tomorrow, you must feel much more positive now xx

Now that sounds like some kind of vet - she's got manners too!

Here's hoping she nails this thing and Rocky recovers very quickly  

She sounds lovely & like this is going to be a positive move

Sounds like you have a decent vet at last! Hold on to this one - a good vet is worth their weight in gold! 

Let us know how you get on tomorrow.

How did rocky get on at the vets Maria?

I hope the vets went well you always feel so helpless when your dog is poorly Molly had demodex and suffered badly when treated with the shampoos. She was so depressed and even growled at Watson once. Our vet took her off them as she was progressively getting worse each week. It's a horrible condition.

Big hugs to you both Xx

Any news on Rocky's demodex Maria?

Great to hear you have found a decent vet, poor Rocky hope something is sorted soon xx Only just caught up with this thread also x

Thanks everyone.

The vet was an absolute gem, never walked out feeling so happy and confident with the advice given. She had gave him an overall check, and said other than the demodex and feeling poorly he is in good health so she has put his odd behaviour down to feeling a bit irritated by it all. Also the vomiting and odd behaviour with his food was most likely due to the anti-biotics! She has asked we stop them and we are now on Ivermectin. So hopefully we can see some improvement.

Just so happy that I have found a vet that is so good with Rocky, as well as overall in her general practice. She gave Rocky lots of fuss and kisses so he walked in an walked out just as happy as he is when he sees me! Yay

Thanks everyone for your support, it means so much!

That's great, I'm sure he'll be all well in no time :-) xx

That's fab news Maria

Very pleased to read you found such a great vet, they are well worth hanging on to. Hoping Rocky is soon feeling better  

Thank you lovely ladies! xx  

Aww, I'm really glad you've found a good vet! Best of luck to Rocky!

That's great news - so glad you found a good 'un!

Ain't nothing better! Thank you! xx