Found out it wasn't allergies, but Demodectic Mange

[I am spoiled]

So I went to the vet on Saturday for Dax's checkup for his mange as well as a chest x-ray. A couple of weeks ago, Dax went in for his teeth check. If you read at the front of this thread, you will know that the previous vet that I took Dax to, supposenly cleaned his teeth. I just had his teeth cleaned in February by the previous vet, however, I started taking Dax to this new vet (whom I like very much). Well, the new vet had to end up pulling 8 teeth because the previous vet thought they looked okay enough not to be pulled. Also, the new vet became suspicious of "something" so he ordered a chest x-ray on my next visit. Well, the x-ray indiciated a collasped trachea, pulmonary hypertension, and a dislocated disk as well as the mange he is dealing with. I just want to go to my previous vet and ask him what he had been doing for 4 years whenever I took my dog in for checkups, cleanings, and x-rays. Granted I have taken Dax to at least 6 other vets for help in aleviating his itching, but no one but this new vet has ever taken a compassionate attitude in helping Dax get better. If anyone lives in the Shawnee, Ok area and is looking for a great vet, pm me. I am also mad at my own studipity and reliance on a vet, whom I thought was taking care of my baby. I relied on my previous vet's knowledge too much to care for my yorkie, boy was I fooled in thinking he knew how to properly care for a yorkie, much less anything. However, the main thing is: It has taken Dax
4 1/2 years to enjoy life finally. No more itching like crazy and smelling like rotten eggs. He now is running and jumping and smells like roses. You can tell that he is finally happy!!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by I am spoiled

However, the main thing is: It has taken Dax
4 1/2 years to enjoy life finally. No more itching like crazy and smelling like rotten eggs. He now is running and jumping and smells like roses. You can tell that he is finally happy!!!

Oh my gosh! I want to thank you for sharing this - it is a lesson for me, and for all of us - bc sometimes we blindly trust someone just bc they have DVM behind their name and we should not. Thank you.

MORE IMPORTANTLY - GO DAX! I am truly thrilled for your little man AND you!

[SophieRose]

Originally Posted by I am spoiled

My vet has prescribed him: Bac-pak plus (probiotic & digestive enzyme blend), homotoxicology remedy, omega 3, SP canine immune system support, clavamox drops, nature's variety chicken medallion, biweekly benzoyl-plus bath, and a Tak Tic Dip. Sound like a lot for a 4.8lb yorkie. I'm not anxious about the Tak Tic Dip because it is so toxic.

I adopted Charlie at 10 with demodex which he apparently had since he was four. He was never treated properly, and then diagnosed with allergies. Poor pup didn't have allergies but mites.

However, I wouldn't advise a dip because if you do reading, the dip is dangerous to their genitals. Charlie took IVERMECTIN, fish oil capsules and specialized shampoo. He was scraped every few weeks until they no longer appeared.

Something you need to watch: Once a pup has demodex, they should never be given prednisone or any cortisone medication because the meds actives the mites.

Even the bi-weekly bath sounds strong for such a small dog. He may also have yeast (diagnosed with a simple swab) and that also causes intense itching on their paws. Charlie is bathed in Malaseb with thorough rinsing.

Demodectic Mange

Definitely follow your "gut" about the dips. Warmly, Deborah

[roxies_mom]

I've learned something new by reading these posts. It's always good to know of these things in case something arises. That way you know of something to look for or ask the vet about. Knowing nothing of this condition myself but finding out that it comes from the dam has me curious to weather or not anyone has contacted the breeders to inform them of the condition? If so also wondering what the response was from them? Hope your baby has a speedy recovery and will feel so much better then ever that he won't dwell on having to be dipped and take so much medication. My guess is he'll love you even that much more for fixing the problem for him!

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by roxies_mom

Knowing nothing of this condition myself but finding out that it comes from the dam has me curious to weather or not anyone has contacted the breeders to inform them of the condition? If so also wondering what the response was from them?

Very good question! I'm interested to hear feed back on that one as well.

I would think that either the breeder knew and didn't care, didn't know as the dog was in early stages and didn't show any sypmtoms, or that they were not well informed regarding the condition and assumed it to be allergies or cosmetic and not something that could be genetically passed down.

I would be interested to know what the response would be if it was reported back that they'd produced this in their offspring.

[YorkichonBella]

Originally Posted by I am spoiled

So I went to the vet on Saturday for Dax's checkup for his mange as well as a chest x-ray. A couple of weeks ago, Dax went in for his teeth check. If you read at the front of this thread, you will know that the previous vet that I took Dax to, supposenly cleaned his teeth. I just had his teeth cleaned in February by the previous vet, however, I started taking Dax to this new vet (whom I like very much). Well, the new vet had to end up pulling 8 teeth because the previous vet thought they looked okay enough not to be pulled. Also, the new vet became suspicious of "something" so he ordered a chest x-ray on my next visit. Well, the x-ray indiciated a collasped trachea, pulmonary hypertension, and a dislocated disk as well as the mange he is dealing with. I just want to go to my previous vet and ask him what he had been doing for 4 years whenever I took my dog in for checkups, cleanings, and x-rays. Granted I have taken Dax to at least 6 other vets for help in aleviating his itching, but no one but this new vet has ever taken a compassionate attitude in helping Dax get better. If anyone lives in the Shawnee, Ok area and is looking for a great vet, pm me. I am also mad at my own studipity and reliance on a vet, whom I thought was taking care of my baby. I relied on my previous vet's knowledge too much to care for my yorkie, boy was I fooled in thinking he knew how to properly care for a yorkie, much less anything. However, the main thing is: It has taken Dax
4 1/2 years to enjoy life finally. No more itching like crazy and smelling like rotten eggs. He now is running and jumping and smells like roses. You can tell that he is finally happy!!!

I am so happy that Dax is finally feeling better!! YAY! What a time you & yr baby have been through. We are struggling w/Bella's itchies too & I thank you for posting this. How young was Dax when all this started? The reason I ask is Bella's problems didn't start until she was 9 months old?

[ARCHIE]

I just read threw all of these posts and had tears in my eyes for your Dax.
Four years of scratching. My heart broke because it brought back memories
of my Teddy. He did not have manage but sores that no vet could figure
out the cause or even what they were. He scratched for years as they
just kept multiplying. I am so excited for Dax to finally feel so happy and
relieved. For you too. Honey you did everthing you could for him. What
a wonderful Mommy you are. It's time to enjoy life Dax. Go get em.

[mel Vincente]

Try looking at earthclinic.com there is a home remedy there for this type of mange and it works. Its less harmful and you can do it yourself. mange often comes out when the immune system is compromised and you may be able to think back and see if you remember if your problems occurred after vaccinations... It can be cured but takes a lot of time and patience. Good Luck and hang in there Thank God you found out now rather than never.

[tjdmom]

My collie had a bought with demodetic mange. My understanding is that it is an immune problem that could be genetic or some other kind of immune problem for instance cancer can cause it. So while it can be an inherited problem, it is not necessarily. Maybe the breeder just did not know? Anyways, that's my understanding of it....

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

My collie had a bought with demodetic mange. My understanding is that it is an immune problem that could be genetic or some other kind of immune problem for instance cancer can cause it. So while it can be an inherited problem, it is not necessarily.

Dogs that develop illnesses such as cancer, adrenal gland diseases or hypothyroidism where the immune system is compromised can have complications from it too. The mange itself is present on most dogs (and humans! ), so it's not the actual mange that is passed on genetically, it's the compromised immune system. Dogs that don't possess the genetic mutation that makes them succeptable can also experience problems with it, but it will clear up, either on it's own or with treatment, not making it something that would be passed on. In those cases, it's treatable--something caused environmentally. Not something that will be passed on to future generations. (Now of course, the diseases themselves can be passed on...)
However, when it is developed in completely healthy dogs, that it when you have an issue. The dog's cells lack the ability to produce specific T-cells that keep the mange (again, found on all dogs) at a healthy level. This is due to a mutation in the mRNA, which can't be cured, but can certainly be passed on as an incurable ailment, but only through the dam.

[princess d]

Our sheltie had 2 outbreaks with demodectic mange 2 years ago and because of her breed she was limited to the types of meds she could be treated with, so instead we changed her food to Solid Gold sardine formula and gave her supplements of echinecea, vitamin e, fish oil, and vitamin c and we were able to get her itching under control and her fur grew back. She had it pretty bad though, lost hair around her eyes and on her muzzle and her poor feet were a mess (red & swollen even the pads were terrible). We also treated her feet because they were so red and infected from the licking and itching by spot washing her with antibacterial soap (just on the affected areas) and peroxide at least once a day. Finally it cleared up and knock on wood we haven't had another flare up. We think that her flare up was caused by a combination of the stress from getting her vaccinations and then staying with a friend of mine while we were on vacation for 10 days. The vet agreed and says a flare up can be induced by stress. Good Luck

[darnlora]

Originally Posted by I am spoiled

After 4 1/2years of comprising my yorkie's immune system because the vets kept thinking it was allergies. I don't know how many vets I took him to, but they all agreed on allergies. So, I tried my luck for the last time and we got a diagnosis: Demodectic Mange. It is not curable, but controlable. If it was caught earlier, then my baby's immune system would have killed it, but now his immune system is so comprised that it's gonna be hard to do. Apparently, this is a mite that is passed from the dam to her puppies. Diagnosis is confirmed by skin scraping. If I were you and were thinking it is allergies, first ask for a skin scraping. No one told us about that before or even suggested it except this vet that I took him to today. So now, I am working at getting it under control. If anyone has a yorkie with demodectic mange, I would love to hear what you have to say.

what were the symptoms that she exhibited did she itch her skin and loose her har? what is the treatment for this?