Dermodex

Basically I've had jasper for almost 2yrs now he's a rescue dog. When we got him they told us he had dermodex.

Weve been to the vet and tried so many different treatments and found using advocate 1 a month kept his skin is nice condition but now he's breaking out a lot and he straches all the time it also looks sore for him.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Or know anything i could put on?

Thank you x

My first suffered with it quite badly as a pup, we tried a whole host of treatments but she just appeared to grow out of it.

If its looking sore I would pop him to the vets.

Aparently theres an injection that clears it, check with your vet x

Has your vet done a proper skin scrape to confirm that it is Demodex?

Many years ago I had an English Bulldog that was found to have demodex not long after we bought him as a puppy and we later discovered this was a common problem with that particular breeder. She had it with her English Bull Terriers as well.

Initially we had to bath him every day in a rather horrible shampoo that he hated but over time he seemed to build up some sort of immunity and we were able to scale that back to about once a month. It never completely left him and I remember he suffered from side effects like terrible sores that emerged between the toes. They had to be punctured and cleaned to eliminate the blood and puss that would accumulate. This was painful for the old boy.

Despite it all he was a wonderful dog that managed to lead a full and happy life but demodex is no fun for sure. I remember at one point the vet wanted to put him on a life long course of some medicine but it would have knocked out his adrenal gland over time and we didn't go down that route in the end. One thing to bear in mind is that all of this was 30 years ago and I've no doubt that treatments have improved a great deal in that time.

Yeah they did in Battersea before we got him. I think i am going to go back to the vets this is happened before and we've tried so many different things but sometimes it makes it worse then we always end up back on advocate.

Oh ive never been told about that injection.

I've never heard of an injection for demodex. That doesn't mean there isn't one - just never heard of it!

I could be wrong but I believe the injection that kenny d referred to is actually used with dermatitis and the two are often confused. If I remember correctly dermatitis can be successfully treated with cortisone. I am not sure it works as a definitive cure for demodex.

I haven't heard of it either. Be nice if there is, jasper has suffered with this for aslong as we've had him and it must have been worse when he was younger because he was found abandoned with it badly so no one gave him the treatment he needed.

Id pay whatever it cost to clear it completely for him.
Thanks everyone x

And they told us when we went that they didn't think anyone would consider taking him because of the dermodex. They didn't even want the full 105pounds that they charge for a dog at battersea. But we gave them 150 as a donation they just were desperate to find him a home!

ashleyk wrote:I could be wrong but I believe the injection that kenny d referred to is actually used with dermatitis and the two are often confused. If I remember correctly dermatitis can be successfully treated with cortisone. I am not sure it works as a definitive cure for demodex.

That sounds more likely, although I would try exclusions for dermatitis before resorting to cortisone injections. Most dermatitis is caused by an allergy to one or more things, and sometimes by cutting out what they are allergic to you can control the problem without steroids.

When we first adopted Bailey they told us she had shown signs of dermatitis while at the RSPCA and I recall they said it had been treated with cortisone but might return. They also said it was most likely caused by stress at the time and we've never seen any reoccurrence.

ashleyk wrote:When we first adopted Bailey they told us she had shown signs of dermatitis while at the RSPCA and I recall they said it had been treated with cortisone but might return. They also said it was most likely caused by stress at the time and we've never seen any reoccurrence.

Cortisone's cheaper & quicker than trying to find out what is causing the dermatitis.

im not sure about the injection either, a friend said thats how their vet treated it, she proberly thought i ment deratitas ( excuse the spelling) i'll try and find out x

When Pippa went for her last injections, I mentioned her balding patches and asked if it could be from the Wandering Dew (which when I found it, I ripped what I could out and the hair was coming back) but they did a scrape and said it was Demodex. I have continued pulling out the Wandering Dew and her fur has grown back.. so I don't know what to think... I know the Wandering Dew can be horrible for Staffies (probably dogs in general, not sure). The vet didn't treat her either... looks like they won't have to now

Hi i am new too this and would like to know what would you recomend too put on dermodex, my 5 month old staffie was at the vets and they said that he may have dermodex but they were not sure they mentioned a skin scrape and blood tests which i would be happy too go ahead with but i have changed his food and he looks as if he is growing his coat back on his belly were it was missing, could somebody recomend what i should do for him should i see how he goes or do i take him for a skin scrape and blood tests i just dont want too see my little man in any pain. thanks

If his fur's growing back & his skin isn't sore or rough-looking/flaky then I'd wait and see. No point putting your pup through skin scrapes, blood tests & possiblt treatment if there's no need.

All pups are born with the Demodectic Mite - they get it from their mother. Generally speaking it causes no problems at all - occasionally you might get a little bald spot on the head or on the tail, quite high up usually. But it'll often go back to normal on its own.

If the baldness spreads or becomes sore or itchy in any way then by all means get the skin scrapes done. Otherwise, I'd leave well alone!

my pup had the scrapes and it has turned her off the vets.. no wonder though..

My dogs had dermodex since we got him (2 years ago) the vet said he's stuck with it what does the scrape do?

Loz&Dan wrote:My dogs had dermodex since we got him (2 years ago) the vet said he's stuck with it what does the scrape do?

As far as I remember its what a vet will do to determine how bad the condition is with mange.


I may be out of touch but when Scrumps was suffereing she had numerous scrapes.

Loz&Dan wrote:My dogs had dermodex since we got him (2 years ago) the vet said he's stuck with it what does the scrape do?

Have you been given special bath stuff for him? I can't remember the name of it offhand, but someone else on here probably will. Dempdectic Mange can't be diagnosed just by looking at the dog - you can't see the mites with the naked eye. They take a scrape of the skin surface & examine it under the microscope.

Yeah we got the bath stuff before but it didn't seem to do anything the only thing that keeps it manageable now is adovcate once a month. We've tried so many different things to completley clear it but doesn't look like thats gonna happen fortuantly he doesn't suffer that much although sometimes it can appear red and itchy.

I just wish there was something to get rid of it completley for him.

Samson also had Demodex. We were advised to use Advocate fortnightly till it cleared, this took 8 months, in which time, with the continued scratching he had 5-6 skin infections. It has cleared and his fur has grown back, but we have been advised to continue with monthly Advocate to ensure that no more problems begin again.

Not sure if I'm going to continue with this advise though, as applying the Advocate has been leaving Samson completely stressed out. Don't know if this is common after such a vigourous treatment, but thought I'd mention it.

it dosent seem fair to get a skin scrape as his fur is looking better by the the day it is starting too come thru on his belly and his fur on his head looks a bit thicker i dont think i could let the vet put him through a skin scrape if it isnt needed because hes my little man and cant see him in pain especially if he doesnt need it. thank you

Ellie had skin scrapes when she was a pup,she lost fur on both sides.The vet found eggs on the scrapes but no adult mites so prescribed advocate monthly and she soon grew her fur back.We now use advocate every 8weeks as she has to have the large dog pipettes as she is 21kg.

Just read this, it may help





demodex mites



i have a westie she is 1 year old she is being treated for demodex mites by the vet i have to bath her in aludex weekly and in hibiscrub twice a week.

we are getting another westie in the autumn can demodex mites be past on to the pup. i know it is past from a mother to her pups but can it be past to another dog in the house

From the topic:

02. Vet Chat

22 Jul 2008 21:58

Cat the Vet

Hi Denise,

I would definitely take Rosie back to the vets and have her skin re-examined, if all has gone well she should be free of the mites by now. As I said, the treatment should continue until 2 consecutive negative scrapings have been obtained. If she still has the mites then do persevere with the treatment.

She is still young enough to have the ´Juvenile Demodex´ which often clears by the time a dog reaches a year or so old, but if she still has it despite treatment there is a chance she has a problem with her immune system. Some dogs have an abnormality in their immune system which means they cannot keep the mite numbers in check. When you re-visit the vet, do ask their opinion on this.

If Rosie does have a weakness for the Demodex mite ( and please be aware it is too early to tell for sure, I am just concerned as the problem has been going on a long time.) then it is something which is genetic and can be passed down the line. If the new puppy is from the same breeding stock it would be prudent to discuss this problem with the breeder, as it would be unwise to take on another dog with similar problems.

Cat



Report



18 Jul 2008 12:36



rosie has been treated with aludex every sunday since febuary and had her last scraping in march and there was millions of mites on her so i guess she may be due for another scraping/plucking by now. thanks for your reply



Report



18 Jul 2008 12:30





Description



Report



17 Jul 2008 22:11



Cat the Vet

Hi Denise,

Demodex mites are found as a normal parasite on all dogs and most of the time don´t cause any problems at all. However, in some dogs their immune system is not strong enough to keep the mite´s numbers in check and they multiply. This causes hair loss (aloepicia) and sometimes sore skin. Demodectic mange ( to give the problem its proper name) is a relatively common problem in young dogs of less than a year. It can be treated and doesn´t often recur as their immune system strengthens to keep the mites in check.

Demodex mites live in the hair follicles and are very slow moving. They cannot jump and so very close contact is required between dogs in order for them to pass, which is why most dogs will get them from their mothers.

My advice is to ensure your dog is free of the mites before you introduce the new pup. The chances of the mites passing between them are low, but will be increased if your Westie still has them in large numbers. You should be fine if the new pup doesn´t arrive until the Autumn. It generally takes about 4 weeks of Aludex baths to clear the mites. In order to be sure your vet will want to see 2 negative hair pluck and skin scrape results 2 weeks apart to ensure the mites are gone.

Westies are a breed which is notorious for having skin problems. Ensure the line you are getting your pup from is free from skin problems and that the parents have never had Demodex mites as adults. Juvenile Demodectic mange is common and clears readily, adult onset Demodectic mange can indicate immune system disorders and affected dogs should never be bred from. I always advise insuring pets, but Westies are a breed which should always have cover. They do not all have problems, by any means, but skin sensitivities are one of the most frustrating diseases to diagnose and treat, which can be expensive. Also, always ensure you have life long cover, skin problems, if a dog has them, will never go away.

Cat



Report



Displaying 1 to 4 of 4 items 1







About

FAQ

Sitemap

Link to us

Directory

My last post needs to be read from the bottom up lol

Maisie had Demodex and got a weekly bath at the vets (Aludex) until they had 2 clear skin scrapes.

Demodex is common in puppies and supposedly (according to my Small Animal Medicine Professor) is something that Staffies (as pups) are predisposed too.

The scrape just confirms the presence of Demodex vs another common mange mite, Sarcoptes. If the vet does find Demodex (which looks like a little kind of insect crocodile) then its most likely Demodex causing the problem.

There are a variety of treatments for Demodex, unfortunately as I'm in SA, the trade names may differ. The treatment plan usually depends on how bad/how far along the mange is.

There is a shampoo you can use (here its called Ectodex - it contains Amitraz) that you use once a week for 3 weeks. Then there is an injectable ivermectin that can be given under the skin (usually one injection every week until one gets two consecutive clean scrapes. The injectable can also be given orally, usually a tapering dose that is given every day.

If a second bacterial skin infection occurs (usually if they scratch so much to create open wounds) then a vet will often prescribe a relatively long course of antibiotics to clear up the secondary infection.

And then, there are a variety of spot on treatments that work, Advocate being on, and I think Revolution also works.

Cortisone should really not be used for any skin condition, and if it is, as a last resort has it has a multitude of side effects. However, I know that sometimes its the only thing that works.