Discoloured bald patches on puppy

Hi everybody, I'm a new Staffy owner (having previously had Labs) .... and very grateful that I've found this site!

Has anybody come across the following: two patches have appeared on my 6 month old female Staffy puppy's chest. One is about the size of a 10 pence piece, the other about half that size. They are hairless, started out pink, but the bigger patch has turned very dark - like a blue/black bruise. The smaller patch looks like it may also be changing colour. They don't seem to bother the pup at all, but I took her to the vet just over a week ago, and he thought they might be bruises. He didn't rule out mites/flea bites (she has been chewing at the inside of her 'ankle' on one of her rear legs). I've dosed her with Advocate, on his advice, but as the patches are not improving, I doubt that they are bruises. Does anybody have any idea what this could be?

Hi and welcome, do come and say hi when you get chance  

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Is it possible rubbing from a harness?

Not sure about the discolouration but small patches of hair loss could be demodex, the vet would need to do a scrape to determine. I;m suprised they didn't do one before advising advocate though?

Thanks Sazzle - I think I need to pop her back to the vet and ask about demodex!

Definitely best to get it checked, let us know how it goes at the vets

What colour is your puppy?

Hope you get on OK at the vets, let us know x

Any chance you could put a couple of pics of the spots on here?

Hayley wrote:What colour is your puppy?

She's red.

Hi everybody - thanks for your responses.

Caryll, I'll take some pics with my phone tomorrow and see if I can upload them. Many thanks!

This should help with posting pics  

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12017-how-to-post-a-photos-onto-the-forum

Thanks again, Sazzle!

Hi everybody,

Took poppy to the vet today. A skin scraping confirmed localised demodex (she has 3 visible lesions (2 on torso, one on rear 'ankle) and a couple of tiny spots that look like they could develop further). I'm relieved that the problem has been diagnosed, but it doesn't seem very easy to treat. Internet research tells me that juvenile dogs sometimes grow out of the mite allergy as their immune systems mature. I've also read that it should be treated with Aludex washes (but the chemicals involved sound very scary). I really don't know what's best! Does anybody else have any experience/wisdom to pass on, please?

Sorry I cannot help personally but there are members here who have had dealings with Demodex, I'm sure one will be along shortly to advise you from here.

Well I'm glad you got a diagnosis at least.

I rescued Daisy last year and shortly after she developed Demodex (generalised), she had the Aludex washes which to be honest are pretty horrible but do work, Later we also used Ivermectin which is given orally and is fantastic much easier than the dips, did your vet mention that?

Like you say pups can sometimes recover from localised demodex naturally but if she already has several patches I'd say treatment is needed.

Poor poppy, hope she's on the mend soon

Many thanks for your replies, lovely people.

The vet did mention something that could be given orally, but I think she also said that it wasn't licensed in the UK. Could that have been Ivermectin? I don't much fancy the Aludex - it just seems a rather harsh solution (and not easy to administer by all accounts). However, the vet said I should ring them on Monday, when she will have consulted their 'skin specialist' and will be able to advise on treatment.

I'm reassured that Daisy recovered from her Demodex, Sazzle. I really hope Poppy grows out of it, as I'd hate to think she'll have itchy skin all her life, poor little mite;)!

Have a lovely weekend, Staffy lovers x

You could also look at Camrosa Ointment, but it's fairly messy.

As with Daisy (Sazzle's girl above) My Rocky also had generalised Demodex, and has only just recovered with a 2nd negative skin scraping this past week! It was a lengthy and stressful process for us due to a bit of a careless vet, but after switching to another vet, we were on Ivermectin orally, and on the mend!

I hope Poppy recovers quickly!

Thanks Maria - so pleased that gorgeous Rocky is now clear of the dreaded demodex! I think I'll enquire about the Ivermectin when I speak to the vet on Monday.

Thanks Lorraine! Let us know how you get on x

I think in the UK Ivermextin is licenced for the treatment of something else, but it can be used for Demodex, we certainly did!

Thanks Sazzle -will talk to the vet tomorrow. It looks like it's the most effective treatment. Really grateful for everybody's help!

It's so much easier than the dips, and they made Daisy quite poorly, its such a strong pesticide.

That was my feeling exactly! The dips sound really brutal - I don't want to subject my little one to that kind of experience! Thanks again