Possible mites...best treatment, help please?

[Jenna AK]

My Jenna will be going in to see her vet tomorrow for ongoing itching issues. She a little over 3 years old, has had some digestive problems this month and we thought this might be her problem, but I'm finding little brown things at the base of her hair shafts on her neck, chin, tail/anal area, plus some just showed up last night on the outside of her vulva (?). She scratching or nipping herself just about everywhere. I'm concerned about the horror stories I've read about ivermectin and fungal agents (not sure if the itching isn't a bad yeast infection, she's had those before and this all started with ears/facial scratching) and I want to be sure the vet doesn't try to throw too much at her at once.
She's going in for other things too, she's had runny nose/sneezing/coughing (she also reverse sneezes) and I'm concerned about her breathing/heartbeat while at rest. Her heartbeat isn't always regular and she seems to breathe too heavily when laying down sometimes. She also has a strange squeaking noise she makes occasionally that's like hiccups but rapid fire ones...sounds like someone wiping a window with a wet cloth. I posted about this a few days ago, but didn't get a response.
Jenna has also had a reaction to the dental injection (porymorphous?) before so I am leery of medicating her. She also has reactions to chlorhexidine chews and she had amoxicillin for a UTI earlier this year that I'm not sure was agreeing with her by the end of the round.

I'd really appreciate some advice for my baby. We go in at 11 a.m. Alaska time tomorrow. My girl is very uncomfortable and I'm worried because she sleeps on my bed and I also have three house rabbits and three cats that I'm terrified I'm going to have to treat as well. Could we please have some vibes for Jenna and all my assorted furbutts?
If it turns out to be mites, I don't know how we're going to get rid of them properly, as my house has old carpet we can't afford to replace and the clutter here is probably harboring dozens of the little nasties. Ugh...my flesh is crawling just thinking of it.
Please, please help...I am sick with worry over all this. Thank you for reading.

[ladyjane]

First of all, I would not do that dental injection again...my vet does not offer it because of issues with it.

What you are describing does not sound like mites to me...of course I could be dead wrong and she definitely does need to see a vet. As for anti fungals, I once had a foster with a fungal infection on his skin and my vet suggested warm water/vinegar (50/50)rinses following baths....3 times per week. Worked like a charm! If it turns out to be fungal, you might want to ask about that.

I really don't know what to say about the sounds she is making...or her heartbeat. Definitely something to discuss with her vet. The reverse sneezing might be exacerbated by allergies. It does sound like she might have them.

Good luck at the vet tomorrow! Let us know how it turns out.

[Jenna AK]

Thank you so much for answering! I've been sitting here in tears, seeing the poor thing scratch herself silly. Odd, I thought one bath a week was too much and would be drying out her skin. I usually use the apple cider vinegar wash, but feared that was what was irritating her skin, so decided to use the creme rinse that matches her shampoo (earthbath) since she's never had trouble with the shampoo. I don't use a lot of the rinse and always wash her thoroughly with water afterwards and air/towel dry. I did wonder if it was laundry soap residue.
Why does it not sound like mites? Hubby looked at the brown stuff on her fur and seems to think these are eggs of some kind. Just curious.

Thanks for the well wishes. I am a wreck right now and of course poor Jenna is picking up on it. She's very attuned to me.

[ladyjane]

I just have never heard of mites described like that. Can you take a picture of them? Is it possible she has fleas and that is flea dirt?

The pup I had with the fungal infection had soothing shampoo baths followed by that rinse....and no other rinse! He needed more frequent bathing until cleared.

I am certainly no vet or anything...and don't know what this is....I am just saying that it does not sound like mites based on the fact that the mites they usually get on their skin cause mange...and you are not describing mange.

[OwnedByJezebel]

What do you mean about an irregular heartbeat? Could you be detecting a sinus rhythm? It is perfectly normal for a dog's heartbeat to increase when they inhale, and decrease when they exhale.

Dog?s Sinus Arrhythmia Heart Rhythm Is Normal

If that is what you are describing, you are very perceptive, most people don't notice.

[Jenna AK]

Well she does have thinning hair, but I can't tell if it's from scratching or from increased heat/dryness in the house due to winter coming on.
We don't have fleas here in Alaska.
I tried to get pix, and I can see light brown spots on her skin, but I can't edit the pix on my phone and unless you zoom in to the affected area you can't make them out. It's stressing her to try to take the pix. Sorry.
I've looked up images of mange and I don't think that's it either. I do wonder if it's demodex or even dog lice. But this itching all started a few weeks ago when she'd had some boiled beef roast that wound up making us both sick. I have kept her on her Ultra Premium Natural Balance ever since to try to keep her tummy under control. So I'm praying it's just an allergic reaction or fungal infection.


Thanks again for your help.

[Jenna AK]

Hi OBJ, yes I'd read about the increase/decrease of the beat with breath, but even that beat sequence is faltering a bit. I'm going to be sure the vet gives her a good listen anyway. The combo of that and her coughing is just bugging me.

[OwnedByJezebel]

Let us know how it turns out.

[Jenna AK]

Thanks, I'll do that.
But can someone answer my original question please? If she does have mites, what would be the best medicine? And would an antifungal be contraindicated for use with an antiparasitic?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Jenna AK

Thanks, I'll do that.
But can someone answer my original question please? If she does have mites, what would be the best medicine? And would an antifungal be contraindicated for use with an antiparasitic?

You have to know what she has in order to discuss treatment plans. No one could guess all of this.
Just go to the vet and find out what it is....and discuss these things with him!

[Jenna AK]

Okay, sorry. I just have seen threads in this forum that caution using things like ivermectin because it's dangerous for Yorkies. I guess I was hoping to find out perhaps what she should NOT be prescribed.

Thanks anyway.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Jenna AK

Okay, sorry. I just have seen threads in this forum that caution using things like ivermectin because it's dangerous for Yorkies. I guess I was hoping to find out perhaps what she should NOT be prescribed.

Thanks anyway.

Ivermectin is not dangerous for yorkies if used properly. If you have so little confidence in your vet, might be time for a new one. You can also get a second opinion. Certainly come here if you have questions about something prescribed....but definitely question your vet!

[ladyjane]

Plus, you are worrying about something that may not happen!! Some of the things I have spent worrying about in my lifetime never came to pass....just wasted energy and stress!
Try to think positive! Hopefully it will be something simple!

[Jenna AK]

Thanks ladyjane, and forgive me please for getting angry. I was just really worried for Jenna. She is my baby and I feared making a wrong decision for her treatment. I do have a good vet, but the decision how to treat ultimately rests in my hands and I like to come to the exam table well briefed.
You were right however. The brown spots turned out to be yeast dermatitis. No mites (thank God!) but it's all over her, not just what I could see. So we have a soothing shampoo to use. No food allergy either. Sinus arrythmia normal. Even the hiccupping and reverse sneezing has been attributed to the air quality in our house. I guess all her symptoms can be traced back to how Alaskan winter causes us to have to seal our homes up like tupperware and all these allergens gather. We're going to have to get some air purifiers and set them up around the house.

I'm just so relieved to have a solution. Thanks again for answering my posts.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Jenna AK

Thanks ladyjane, and forgive me please for getting angry. I was just really worried for Jenna. She is my baby and I feared making a wrong decision for her treatment. I do have a good vet, but the decision how to treat ultimately rests in my hands and I like to come to the exam table well briefed.
You were right however. The brown spots turned out to be yeast dermatitis. No mites (thank God!) but it's all over her, not just what I could see. So we have a soothing shampoo to use. No food allergy either. Sinus arrythmia normal. Even the hiccupping and reverse sneezing has been attributed to the air quality in our house. I guess all her symptoms can be traced back to how Alaskan winter causes us to have to seal our homes up like tupperware and all these allergens gather. We're going to have to get some air purifiers and set them up around the house.

I'm just so relieved to have a solution. Thanks again for answering my posts.

Great news!!! I am happy to hear that it all worked out well.