goldchow

Have been trialling Eagle Pack for the last six months for dogs with itch tendencies and am rapt in the results.

Well we learn something every day, thank you zayda_asher for that link, however perhaps Demodex can be spread to other dogs who also have low immune problems. My girl runs with all the others here without a problem however I have vivid recollections of my vet scrubbing his hands vigorously with antiseptic after handling my girl and stating that it was infectious and he did not want to run the risk of taking it home to his Doberman, who also had a demodex problem, which makes me wonder if it could be transmitted to others with low immunity.

Holly I have spent a fortune on skin scrappings, medication, washes and tried so many different diets for a girl I have here who developed an allergy to something in the environment here 2 years ago. She was almost furless and her scratching and chewing drove me mad, plus she was feeling pretty lousy too. She was being fed a BARF diet. Finished up doing a lengthy and strict process of elimination, diet and environmental wise, and chicken of any sort, and kikiyu grass, (compliments of a chance remark by Dr Harry) and which is everywhere here except the front yard. Juliet now resides permanently in the front yard and verandah, and diet is Eagle Pack Holistic Lamb with tinned whole fish (cat food) with vegies and yoghurt and she is looking beautiful. Just quietly she has the occasional turkey steak also. Good luck, I know how frustrating it can be.

This is a terribly frustrating condition RazzaMaTazz, I have similar problems with a chow bitch who is to be desexed due to the fluctuations in hormones causing a break out every time she comes into season. Demodex is basically an immune system problem and if you can build this up and try to keep your boys as stress free as possible, it can be a tremendous help. It is also highly infectious so could be transferring from one dog to the other, particularly if both immune systems are down. You yourself can also be unintentionally transferring the mite by patting one then the other. Unfortunately the Ivomectin injections and washes, although an evil necessity when the mites are really bad, actually lower the immune system even further. Once I have the problem here under reasonable control I have found the addition of sulpher powder, dolomite and kelp (about 1/4 teaspoon of each) to the diet every day, along with a good teaspoon of Missing Link seems to work really well. Much slower to get results but better for the dog in the long run. I gained this info from a vet who uses natural remedies wherever possible (totally against using Ivomectin) and it might pay you to discuss this with a "natural' vet in your area. Some will do phone consults, at a price.

I have used Allerseb-T with great success also, however as others have said, prolonged bathing in these products can be very drying. I have also used Pinetarsel in the rinse water which also seems to work well.