Mites or Mange

Hi. Does anyone have experience with mites or mange.

I am really discouraged in our vets at the moment. Storm has been to them 4 times now (1 to be desexed), and I mentioned her losing hair under her chin and lower. They told me the collars she was wearing were too rough. I went through 6 collars till she started losing hair around one eye and when she had a bath on monday I noticed her ear lobe was red and bumpy.

Vets have now given me steroid cream, flea treatment and antibiotics. I am also washing all hers and our bedding etc.

Is there anything else I can do to help her? I keep feeling this is my fault even though they said she could have picked it up anywhere. The kennels we got her from said to use garlic powder instead of commercial flea treatment and the vet said that was not good.

Any help will be appreciated

In your shoes, I think I'd be looking for another vet. A good relationship with a vet, where you can trust them, is so important.

Mange is also caused by mites. If there is any concern over mites/mange, you need to get a skin scrape done. A sample is taken for analysis so they can see exactly what you're dealing with and treat accordingly. Or have they done this already?

Garlic won't, in my opinion, deal with it. There are loads of opinions on how effective garlic is for various things - I know there is a school of thought that it can be an insect repellant. I don't think, though, that it will kill mites, which is what you need if that's the problem. Natural is great if it works, but for things like this I think you need to go down the proven chemical route.

Poor little Storm, I hope she's not too uncomfortable and that you get this sorted out quickly.

no, garluc doesn't get rid of mites.

95% of puppies are born with (and carry for life) demodectic mites - the ones that cause mange. most never suffer ill effects from them & even those that do often grow out of it as their immune system strengthens & reduces tge amount of mites to a manageable number!

if her skin is becoming red, sore & 'bumpy', though, she needs treatment.

i would definitely seek another vet & ask them if they would do a skin scrape to test for mites. it's very simple proceedure (although it's a little uncomfortable for the dog) & the results will tell the vet what treatment is necessary.

Aludex will cure the dermodex mite but you need to get it from the vet's but be warned it does really put the dog on a downer. you need to get it sorted sooner rather than later cos if it is the dermodex mite it' a b*****d to get rid of hope you get it sorted soon

channi wrote:you need to get it sorted sooner rather than later cos if it is the dermodex mite it' a b*****d to get rid of hope you get it sorted soon

not always. as already said, some puppies actually do grow out of it (if it isn't too bad).

sarcoptic mange, however, really IS a bugga to get rid of!

I spoke with my usual vet today, and expressed my concern. She assured me that they do not think it is mange, but the cream and medication she was given would help even if it was. Storm goes back on friday for a check up and if there is no improvement they will do a skin scrape. I am happy that the red lumps on her ears are gone and she isn't scratching as much either. Hopefully it was just an infection and we are on the right road to recovery. I will find another vet if I am not assured on friday

that sounds a bit more reassuring, doesn't it?

It does. My husband also thinks I am paranoid haha. I have never had such a clever dog (or such an expensive one) so I think I do tend to over worry about her, and that I am not doing enough for her

gillybrent wrote:

channi wrote:you need to get it sorted sooner rather than later cos if it is the dermodex mite it' a b*****d to get rid of hope you get it sorted soon

not always. as already said, some puppies actually do grow out of it (if it isn't too bad).

sarcoptic mange, however, really IS a bugga to get rid of!

im no vet but having seen first hand what max went through i wouldnt wait for him to grow out of it i think he would deserve more than that, its all hard to get rid of but if your dog has a low immune system he needs all the help he can get to fight if off surely