Demodectic mange in a senior dog

[longtail]

owl said:

Thanks for the comment about dry and flaky, cos that's what Polly's muzzle is like, also one of her ear tips. It is rough and I think rather sore.

Any ideas on anything I can use to soothe and moisturise her skin in those places?

Not heard of Cortex Dictamni, but interested in alternatives.

We did have a great homeopathic vet in Pembs, but he moved away. I'm thinking of going down that route if I can find one within reasonable distance.

I got it from a Chinese Herbalist in the shopping mall. I can't tell if it is getting better but certainly no worse and isn't itching nearly as much. I had considered Tea Tree but they said it isn't strong enough.

[owl]

I have started rubbing olive oil into the affected parts, after meeting a lovely old newfie fellow-sufferer and his person. His vet had recommended this for the nasty flaky patches and it had worked well for him. It seems to be working well for Polly too.

[Lisa]

Phebe it really depends on how bad the demodex is to the treatment you use. If its only slight you can usually get away with a dose of advocate, a couple of weeks of malaseb baths and ecchinacea from boots to boost the immune system.

Rodney is chronic. He landed with it four years ago we got him fit and healthy but sadly as he has crept towards older age from 8 years plus his condition has re appeared but this time quite seriously and sinsister. We have been battling for two years now to get on top of it. At worst he is nearly bald with red raw weeping skin, we had no choice at one point but to use the aludex to try and get on top of it but after one bath he reacted horribly. We have used advocate the last 12mnths to control it but all its done at best is keep it at bay.

Today we start another course of treatment that im not particularly happy with but his weight is dropping again and his skin is sore. Myself and my vet have spent hours researching and it seems like Rodneys best chance. There is a product called ivermetcin that they use to control it in rats and sheep via injection. Rodney has to take it orally every day for 8 weeks. My vet is convinced that as long as he handles the drug this is what will be his saving grace. He is also now given the all clear to start the malaseb baths again twice a week after we were stopped from using it for a few months and already with those im seeing improvement to the flakey dander of his skin.

Hopefully Pollys is only mild and you will get it under control quickly but god forbid if it does progress ring me as I can take you through each step of where to try next.

Make sure also that the vet does full blood work panels, demodex is usually a sign of something else underlying. In older dogs its Cushings so keep an eye out for increased drinking and hunger.

[spiritwell]

admin said:

Make sure also that the vet does full blood work panels, demodex is usually a sign of something else underlying. In older dogs its Cushings so keep an eye out for increased drinking and hunger.

I agree with Lisa. My old greyhound Nobby, developed Demodex and I took him to the vet. Sadly, the blood tests showed he had a tumour. It doesn't mean that something that serious is going on but as my vet told me, Demodex can be indicative of a compromised immune system so it is worth checking out.

[owl]

Thank you Lisa and spiritwell.

Polly shows no other symptoms and her eating and drinking are normal. If anything she is more fit and active than she has been in a long time. She has lost a bit of weight now that we are doing the more energetic walks along the coast path which we couldn't do with Humphrey. I'm afraid she was a bit podgy before, as she always slowed her pace to his. I never realised how fast she could scuttle along until now!


However, she went through a very low patch and got depressed and hid under the bed most of the time after he went over the Bridge. Then came the scary attack by 3 corgis, and she lost every bit of confidence. Unusually for a puli, she never fights back, just tries to get away. She never had to worry about other dogs while Humph was around, as even when he was really decrepit no dog dared even to look at him or his lady the wrong way. Since then she has had to learn how to socialise with other dogs from the beginning, and she is doing well. That trauma alone is surely enough to bring the immune system down a bit, but I will ask vet to do some bloods.

She also worries a lot about my OH who is now severely disabled and very frail and poorly. She is his special dog as Humph was mine, and she tries so hard to comfort him.

The coat is growing back fast on her muzzle and front paws and around her eyes, the areas which were first affected. It seems to be coming back in exactly the same order as it went.

I am familiar with ivermectin, and the vet did think about it, but she decided on Advocate as a first step and see what happens.

I will keep you posted, and I'm grateful to have your advice.

[owl]

Hi again folks,

It would seem that the demodex strikes whenever Polly is really stressed and low. She recovered from attack number 1 but got a recurrence after her dad, my OH, went over the Bridge in May. We got it under control fairly quickly, but a puli with fur loss looks very tatty and motheaten and it's taken her a while to fluff up again. I found sweet almond oil even better than olive oil for the dry skin.

Vet has been monitoring and is happy with her. No other conditions have been found, but sadly Polly is now deaf and is losing her sight. She seems to function very well with what she has, she is very active and fit for a 13 yr old and enjoys life. She is like a pup when she plays with new dog Wispa ;D

[Flaperoo]

Gosh you have all had a hard time lately

Glad Polly has bounced back and feeling better. Long may it continue ;D

Mxx