Found out it wasn't allergies, but Demodectic Mange - YorkieTalk.com Forums

I am spoiled · 07-19-2008, 01:24 PM

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.

tjdmom · 07-19-2008, 01:42 PM

My yorkie does not have it but about 6 months ago, my collie had a bought of demodetic mange. Just a small area. It started clearing up on it's own. Collie's can't have the normal medications to treat it so I did nothing. I recently put her on a prey model raw diet and am hoping that has boosted her immune system. We have seen no reaccurance and she is doing better than ever for an 11 year old dog with arthritis.

I would research that alternative. You probably won't get an ok from your vet as many vets are still leary about a raw diet but I would research it and see where that leads you. Good luck!

I am spoiled · 07-19-2008, 02:22 PM

Actually the vet I went to suggested that I put him on a raw diet. He said it was okay to let him have the california natural as well but 1/2 off it instead of the normal amount. What do you all think? I bought the Nature's Variety: Chicken Medallions. Good choice?

I am spoiled · 07-19-2008, 02:26 PM

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.

YorkichonBella · 07-19-2008, 02:33 PM

Wow.....that sounds like alot to do. I hope it helps. I would be worried too about the dip. I am bumping so that someone else with experience can join in here. This is very interesting. Bella has itching probs that we've not been able to find the cause of? Will be checking on this. Pls keep us updated. Wishing the best for him!!

Lisa and Pic · 07-19-2008, 02:45 PM

I am so sorry it took 4 1/2 years to get a diagnosis. Your poor furbaby. Glad to hear it is controllable. Also, thanks for posting, so that we can all learn something.

tanksmom · 07-19-2008, 07:29 PM

My furbaby shih tzu had this as a puppy too. We put her on Raw NV and it did clear up BUT her immune system has never really bounced back. She also has never grown pretty hair in the once infected areas. The hair always looks damaged.

Wylie's Mom · 07-19-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am spoiled

Actually the vet I went to suggested that I put him on a raw diet. He said it was okay to let him have the california natural as well but 1/2 off it instead of the normal amount. What do you all think? I bought the Nature's Variety: Chicken Medallions. Good choice?

Wow - I am SO sorry for all your baby has been through. It's odd, but I'm hearing more and MORE diagnoses of Demo. mange and I'm really starting to wonder why. And, like in your case - it's taking forever to diagnose, sadly.

Yes, the Organic Chicken Medallions are a great choice. I feed NV Raw and cannot say enough of how highly I like it for my guys. Please keep up posted on how your baby does...

I am spoiled · 07-20-2008, 09:02 AM

Yay, my baby gobbled up the NV chicken medallions. I think I am a new raw feeder if this all works out. How many do you all feed a day?

Wylie's Mom · 07-20-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am spoiled

Yay, my baby gobbled up the NV chicken medallions. I think I am a new raw feeder if this all works out. How many do you all feed a day?

If you go on their website, you can enter in your baby's weight and activity and it tells you the amount to feed - it's great. Naturesvariety.com

chachi · 07-20-2008, 09:38 AM

MY chachi had it and he had the dips too treat it. The vet for a long whle thought he had allergies also. The dips wee very hard on him he had to have 6. At the end he was getting so stressed by them that he got diahrea. Since he had the treatment he has been mite free and he had it bad. All the hair on his back was gone. I woried about his lower immune system also but he hasnt been sick or had any problems since. I hope my story gives you hope for your baby

I am spoiled · 07-20-2008, 08:35 PM

Thank you for everyone that has posted. I gave Dax his first dip this afternoon and he seemed to tolerate it fairly well. I put petroleum jelly around his eyes to prevent the dip from entering, but I don't know if the jelly or the TikTac toxicities caused his eyes to become glass and watery. Right now Dax is so sad because of all the medicines I have given him. He just cringes when I go to pick him up because he thinks I'm hurting him when I give him the medicine. It just breaks my heart. I hate to see him suffering like this. However, I am pleased that he didn't become lethargic with the dip. I let his toes soak in the dip for awhile, while I took a washcloth and squeezed the excess dip around his armpits and ears. Then I let him run free in the hot sun to dry him off. His toes are so swollen, red, and bloody that I can't understand how he can walk. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get him to stop licking and gnawing at his bloody feet?

Wylie's Mom · 07-20-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am spoiled

Thank you for everyone that has posted. I gave Dax his first dip this afternoon and he seemed to tolerate it fairly well. I put petroleum jelly around his eyes to prevent the dip from entering, but I don't know if the jelly or the TikTac toxicities caused his eyes to become glass and watery. Right now Dax is so sad because of all the medicines I have given him. He just cringes when I go to pick him up because he thinks I'm hurting him when I give him the medicine. It just breaks my heart. I hate to see him suffering like this. However, I am pleased that he didn't become lethargic with the dip. I let his toes soak in the dip for awhile, while I took a washcloth and squeezed the excess dip around his armpits and ears. Then I let him run free in the hot sun to dry him off. His toes are so swollen, red, and bloody that I can't understand how he can walk. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get him to stop licking and gnawing at his bloody feet?

OMG, I just teared up reading this - I feel so bad. Poor guy. Try not beat yourself up over the treatments, bc you're doing a good thing here - but I know it just kills you to have to do it. Maybe hold a chew for him with your hand and hold him - that might help him "not" relate the picking him up with treatments all the time.

As for the feet, you could try booties - but most dogs just hate them and it's such an added stress, it doesn't sound like he needs it right now. I wouldn't recommend anything like bitter apple bc it would sting. What about infant socks with tape around the upper sock? He'd probably get those off?

Gosh, I just don't know....

kismet · 07-20-2008, 09:02 PM

Don't forget that dogs can pick up our mood very quickly. If you feel sad and unhappy and are in a depressed mood while handling them they will in effect "feel" that mood and become anxious or depressed as well. Try to do everything as normal as you can and provide an "unsick" routine and that also might help. I am quite sorry how stressful this has been for you and wish you strength. Things will get better now that you know what is going on. What a great "parent" you are.

BamaFan121s · 07-21-2008, 09:08 AM

For what it's worth, this was not something that could have been cured earlier if it had been diagnosed at an earlier age. So please don't blame yourself for that as there is nothing that could have been done differently. Yes, Demodetric Mange is passed down from Dam to offspring, ALWAYS only by the mother. However, this was not a 'mite' that was passed down to your furball, it was an immunodefeciency that was passed down which prevents the dog's immune system from fighting off the mites that cause this type of mange. (Which is very common in Greyhounds.) It's not something that was made worse becuase it went diagnosed for any amount of time or something that could have ever been prevented or cured--it's a condition your little one will have had since birth.

One bit of good news is that it cannot be passed on to any other pets/dogs. Also, it is possible to alleviate your dog's discomfort and side effects with careful diet and certain shampoos.

Sadly, there are many breeders out there who give little regard to the offspring they allow their dogs to produce and to testing females pre-breeding to prevent this from being passed on to future generations.

07-19-2008, 01:24 PM	#1
I am spoiled Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McLoud, OK USA Posts: 14	Found out it wasn't allergies, but Demodectic Mange 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.

07-19-2008, 02:33 PM	#5
YorkichonBella Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,568	Wow.....that sounds like alot to do. I hope it helps. I would be worried too about the dip. I am bumping so that someone else with experience can join in here. This is very interesting. Bella has itching probs that we've not been able to find the cause of? Will be checking on this. Pls keep us updated. Wishing the best for him!! __________________ (Mommy's little babyBella) (Granma-ma's sweet boyCole & brave boy Noah)

07-19-2008, 02:45 PM	#6
Lisa and Pic So Happy Together... Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ft. Mitchell, Ky. Posts: 873	I am so sorry it took 4 1/2 years to get a diagnosis. Your poor furbaby. Glad to hear it is controllable. Also, thanks for posting, so that we can all learn something. __________________ Lisa and Piccolo

07-20-2008, 09:38 AM	#11
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 23,257	MY chachi had it and he had the dips too treat it. The vet for a long whle thought he had allergies also. The dips wee very hard on him he had to have 6. At the end he was getting so stressed by them that he got diahrea. Since he had the treatment he has been mite free and he had it bad. All the hair on his back was gone. I woried about his lower immune system also but he hasnt been sick or had any problems since. I hope my story gives you hope for your baby __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

07-20-2008, 09:02 PM	#14
kismet Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tool Texas USA Posts: 33	idea to help Don't forget that dogs can pick up our mood very quickly. If you feel sad and unhappy and are in a depressed mood while handling them they will in effect "feel" that mood and become anxious or depressed as well. Try to do everything as normal as you can and provide an "unsick" routine and that also might help. I am quite sorry how stressful this has been for you and wish you strength. Things will get better now that you know what is going on. What a great "parent" you are.

07-19-2008, 01:42 PM	#2
tjdmom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: upstate ny Posts: 3,060	My yorkie does not have it but about 6 months ago, my collie had a bought of demodetic mange. Just a small area. It started clearing up on it's own. Collie's can't have the normal medications to treat it so I did nothing. I recently put her on a prey model raw diet and am hoping that has boosted her immune system. We have seen no reaccurance and she is doing better than ever for an 11 year old dog with arthritis. I would research that alternative. You probably won't get an ok from your vet as many vets are still leary about a raw diet but I would research it and see where that leads you. Good luck!

07-19-2008, 02:22 PM	#3
I am spoiled Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McLoud, OK USA Posts: 14	Actually the vet I went to suggested that I put him on a raw diet. He said it was okay to let him have the california natural as well but 1/2 off it instead of the normal amount. What do you all think? I bought the Nature's Variety: Chicken Medallions. Good choice?

07-19-2008, 02:26 PM	#4
I am spoiled Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McLoud, OK USA Posts: 14	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.

07-19-2008, 07:29 PM	#7
tanksmom YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: texas Posts: 492	My furbaby shih tzu had this as a puppy too. We put her on Raw NV and it did clear up BUT her immune system has never really bounced back. She also has never grown pretty hair in the once infected areas. The hair always looks damaged.

07-20-2008, 09:02 AM	#9
I am spoiled Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McLoud, OK USA Posts: 14	Yay, my baby gobbled up the NV chicken medallions. I think I am a new raw feeder if this all works out. How many do you all feed a day?

07-20-2008, 08:35 PM	#12
I am spoiled Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McLoud, OK USA Posts: 14	Thank you for everyone that has posted. I gave Dax his first dip this afternoon and he seemed to tolerate it fairly well. I put petroleum jelly around his eyes to prevent the dip from entering, but I don't know if the jelly or the TikTac toxicities caused his eyes to become glass and watery. Right now Dax is so sad because of all the medicines I have given him. He just cringes when I go to pick him up because he thinks I'm hurting him when I give him the medicine. It just breaks my heart. I hate to see him suffering like this. However, I am pleased that he didn't become lethargic with the dip. I let his toes soak in the dip for awhile, while I took a washcloth and squeezed the excess dip around his armpits and ears. Then I let him run free in the hot sun to dry him off. His toes are so swollen, red, and bloody that I can't understand how he can walk. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get him to stop licking and gnawing at his bloody feet?

07-21-2008, 09:08 AM	#15
BamaFan121s YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,078	For what it's worth, this was not something that could have been cured earlier if it had been diagnosed at an earlier age. So please don't blame yourself for that as there is nothing that could have been done differently. Yes, Demodetric Mange is passed down from Dam to offspring, ALWAYS only by the mother. However, this was not a 'mite' that was passed down to your furball, it was an immunodefeciency that was passed down which prevents the dog's immune system from fighting off the mites that cause this type of mange. (Which is very common in Greyhounds.) It's not something that was made worse becuase it went diagnosed for any amount of time or something that could have ever been prevented or cured--it's a condition your little one will have had since birth. One bit of good news is that it cannot be passed on to any other pets/dogs. Also, it is possible to alleviate your dog's discomfort and side effects with careful diet and certain shampoos. Sadly, there are many breeders out there who give little regard to the offspring they allow their dogs to produce and to testing females pre-breeding to prevent this from being passed on to future generations. __________________ ...........Misty........... Trixie * Lexi * Chipsie Last edited by BamaFan121s; 07-21-2008 at 09:11 AM.