demodex : what i have learnt

DEMODEX is the hardest form of mange to get rid of.the best? treatment is with invermicin or pancur liquid (both the same)the lifecycle of the demodex mite is between 24 and 35 days . this treatment will not kill the eggs so treatment is for between 6/8 weeks. while treatment is ongoing your pet can continue to lose fur , this is due to the eggs hatching, to get the all clear from demodex you need 2 or 3 clear skin scrapes . .I hate this mite and the way it can cause so much stress ,on the plus side i have just dropped Diesel off at the vets for his 2nd scrape ,and even though i and the vet can see a thin patch in another place she want overly concerned ,but will scrape it just to make sure that the mites are DEAD lol    

Fingers crosseed its clear x

omg really worried now ,just phoned vet to see if diesel is ready to come home ,no not till 16.40 and the vet wants to spk to me ,this next hr is going to seem like a lifetime

well after that scare ,Diesel,s 2nd scrape is again clear,and all the vet wonted to spk to me about was whether she could use his case in her case studies, she is currently doing a in depth  study of demodex, she had told the assitant  to explain that there was nothing to wrong about,      

Excuse my ignorance but how do they get the nite in the first place? Is it in grass etc?

All dogs (humans to) have demodex mites usually they can fight them off but sometimes if poorly etc the mite can over run or sometimes it can be because they have an immature imunme system ie a puppy or have a weak immune system in most dogs they live under the skin and cause no problems

Glad it was OK   

Our vet took pictures of Daisy for his book!

Sazzle I was so worried I was sick ,it was the worst 90mins waiting to 1pick him up and2 find out what the vet wanted

I'm not surprised, bless you xx

Thistle has been on advocate for her Demodex for 4 months now, it appeared to go, but then returned after her season, the vet said that having them neutered can sometimes help, (I think vets will say anything to make you neuter your dog) not saying this isn't the case, it just seems to me that the treatment for Demodex is so different judging by the anecdotal evidence on this forum.

Having a season can be a trigger for demodex prone dogs, But yes I agree the treatment offered by vets does vary   

Sorry to hear it came back! Hopefully it will be taken care of quickly. I haven't had to deal with it myself luckily but big hugs to you both!

Rocky had Demodex and its almost cleared up now. He's six months old.
He started with it at about 14 weeks and at first I didnt think it was a problem but as the patch of hair loss worsened I took him to the vets and he just gave Advocate.
I took Rocky back to the vets at about 20 weeks and he took a scrape and informed me that there were only a few mites and that they were dead.
He just advised to continue with Advocate unless things got any worse.
Now most of the hair has grown back although not quite as thick as the rest of his fur.
Hopefully he will return to 100% normal soon.

Glad to hear Rocky is recovering well   

got to admit i was baffled by the amount of different treatments for demodex .goggle it and u get all sorts .my vet was very good in explaining why it can occur and the different treatment available .even to the point of printing out a fact sheet for me to read.this is start of week 7 and we have had 2 clear scrapes with a 3rd to be certain in 10 days then it is 2more wks on treatment just to make sure , got to admit diesel hate me at the moment lol. he knows when we r giving him his meds and mention shower and he runs

good to here Rocky is recovering well. Diesel fur is starting to regrow or was till this last scrape ,vet did say it can take about 10/12 wks for it to work and he,s start with just a small bald patch as well

I really struggle giving Thistle her Advocate, she hates it, which isn't surprising given it melted the paint off the kitchen cupboards, she always tries to have a snap at me, so I'm tense when I administer it, so of course she is. I try to sneak up on her and take her by surprise   

Nuala wrote:I really struggle giving Thistle her Advocate, she hates it, which isn't surprising given it melted the paint off the kitchen cupboards, she always tries to have a snap at me, so I'm tense when I administer it, so of course she is. I try to sneak up on her and take her by surprise   

My vet advised to put Advocate on at night when he's sleeping which also prevents us getting it on our hands.
He doesnt seem to mind it tho.

might try that, she's asleep most of the time :-)

update Diesel has now had a 3rd clear skin scrape ,demodex is all gone ,his fur is starting regrowth ,he will been on the meds for another two weeks just to make sure they are all dead but will not need a further scrape, i think he will miss going to the vets as they make such a fuss of him, but i cant wait    
   

Woooo hooooo, that's fantasic news    

Sazzle , i am so relieved , thought this would never go away and Diesel was starting to stress because he doesnt like the meds (though he taking it mixed with tuna)and he hates water so when we bathed him in the med shampoo he would shake and looks so upset,

So pleased for you both x

update on Diesel, he has now been discharged from the vets ,fur has all grown back , hopefully this is the end of the demodex mites for good   

Fantastic news

Aww that's great news lets hope that's the end of it now

Fingers crossed for Diesel and you, it sounds an awful condition   

Yayyy, let's hope so xx

Poor Diesel, glad he is on the mend now   

bluediesel wrote:update on Diesel, he has now been discharged from the vets ,fur has all grown back , hopefully this is the end of the demodex mites for good   

That must be such a relief, very pleased to hear all is well now   

Good news, Thistle is still on Advocate, into her 5 month now, seems to look like the Demodex is clearing up but then it's back again, she doesn't have it bad though, as far as getting the drops on her, I have worked out a way now, because she hates it so much, I put it on when I take her for a walk, I take her by surprise :-) I don't understand why your vet kept Diesel in for the scrape, they do it on the spot and check it with the microscope there and then, no need to stay in........

Glad Thistle is doing OK hun xxx