Mange

[DianeMcA]

I have an 11mth old GSP he had been treated for allergies his feet are red and itchy had skin scrapings no mites but that's not always positive I have changed his diet a on herbs and oils and vitamins no change in skin I noticed today he has white dandruff on neck and back , water seems to make his feet even redder as I wash his feet after walking incase it's a grass thing , my other dogs scratch and lick so maybe they all have it I treat them all with frontline and advocate last month I rang the breeder she says treat with ivermectin , has anyone had success with treating for mange , I really don't think it is allergy ad he had been itching since I got him at 11 seeks only since Christmas had it been bad mainly on his feet but I thought on the outer corner of his eyes the was hair loss, my shihtzu's get hotspots and one has a black baldy spot on her head which first was a crusty sore I can't see it hurting to try for eliminating mites I too am scratching and have a couple raw spots on my arm ( May be physiological but it's itchy) I have posted before about allergies but I believe it's mites I've got to get rid of Anyone had success with treatment that they can advise me on

[persephone]

You need to get a skin scraping from everyone first. Don't just add more chemicals to what they already have in there systems.

Ask a vet.

Have you totally eliminated the wandering dew yet? If not it still may be that causing problems.

Perhaps change vets ?

[Guest Ams]

I'd be asking for another skin scrape and looking very carefully for sarcoptic mange. They are really difficult to see under the microscope and are often difficult to find even with multiple skin scrapings as they are typically not in such high numbers as demodex mites. They are a zoonotic species so can and will transfer to people from dogs. The mites can't live on human skin but can make you very very itchy.

Info on Sarcoptic mange

Treatment is relatively easy using Malaseb or a spot on that covers sarcopsis but I would recommend total quarantine for 6 - 8 weeks otherwise your dogs will be sharing mites with other dogs in the neighbourhood.

Please don't start using ivermectin without a vet consult. I have used it many many times over the past five years in dog rescue howeveriIt is off label for dogs and whilst it is very effective I've had two dogs in a short space of time have reasonably serious neurological issues from its use. Ivermectin needs to be titrated up from a very low dose and you need to be very aware of the signs of neuro toxicity. It can send dogs blind.

You still need to look at other allergens as well. If your dog's feet are constantly irritated then environmental factors are still a high candidate.

It may be expensive to do but I'd also recommend asking for a dermatologist appointment. It will be much better to know what the triggers and causes are now rather than muck around with adding chemicals or dietary changes ad hoc. Spend some money now and save a heap down the track.

Oh and for the itches. Calendular tea..

[DianeMcA]

As in the article you sent me on sarcopic mange a skin scraping shows mites in less than 50% since he had been scratching since I got him at 11 weeks but of course not as bad and now when I wipe my hands over him hair comes out and he has white pinhead size flakes over his back and his hair is thining out I have been to 2 vets 1st put him on very high doses of cortisone 1mg/kg if body wright and he was only 7 mths old and his skin was no where near as bad as this so I went to a homeopathic vet and 2 more scrapings more cortisone and a vitamins oils ect no better 1 mth later back on cortisone still red and itchy today it really flares up when I wash his feet in water I have rang both vets today and waiting to hear I have advocate here he is due for that but I thought ivemecton was better and with that article it is the first thing they say in the treatment and his breeder said that also I just don't want to muck around with allergy stuff if he's being nibbled away at by mites I am spending days researching and wasting so much time , even now no washing up done nothing and still I am trying to sort it out , I think all my dogs and cats need treating and throw their old beds out, even yesterday I took Rslph for a walk and met up with friends said we can't go down the river cause of wandering jew washed his legs down back at the car they went bright red he is not licking now but he was this morning he is now asleep and he has had a run up the paddock and I didn't wash him down also have you used Maliceep think that's how you spell it

[tdierikx]

FFS please stop Googling for all the treatments for all the possible (and as yet undiagnosed) problems your dog may be having.

Just take him to the vet (or skin specialist) and get him properly diagnosed by a professional in the field. Until you have a definitive diagnosis, you may be making things worse!

Get rid of any/all Wandering Jew from your own yard - and make sure the dog doesn't run in long seeding grass, or freshly cut grass, if that is what is upsetting his feet.

Do NOT give him ivermectin unless advised of correct dosage rates by a qualified professional... ie. a VET.

T.

[DianeMcA]

Ok thanks, just been to vet , going on her advice , ivermectin and maliceb wash

[tdierikx]

... and what did the vet say was the cause of the problem? Did they run any tests, do any scrapings, etc?

Mange may be secondary to the original problem - as you have been bombarding the poor dog with all manner of things of late, and his immune system may be completely stuffed at this point of the game.

Maybe investing in a set of boots for your dog for use whenever he has to walk in grass or the like may be a good start - see if the contact allergy reaction on his feet slows or stops when he's wearing the boots when going outside. It's the least damaging to his system, and will soon let you know if you are looking at more than a contact allergy.

T.

[_PL_]

No more cortisone, he's still young and it's not a great idea to do two courses on a young dog in the space of a year. It relieves the immediate symptoms but does not give you a diagnosis.

I'd recommend you be patient. If you bombard him with everything you'll never know exactly what causes his skin to be the way it is.

[JaneH]

Diane - have you been in contact with your dog's breeder at all through all of this ?

[~Anne~]

If the irritation is on his paws and lower legs I'd suggest a contact allergy.

Demodectic mange normally shows around the muzzle, eyes and chest to start with.

Sarcoptic mange generally will start around the underside of the chest, legs and neck.

Contact allergens are usually on the feet, legs and abdomen.

Flea allergies are usually on the back at the base of the tail.

Food allergies can often show through generalised itching, ear problems and eye problems as well as hotspots.

Your dog needs professional help. He needs a specialist or, at the very least, a vet who has more than average knowledge on skin problems and allergic reactions. He needs to have tests to rule out certain conditions and mites. You may also need to put him on an elimination diet to determine if and what foods affect him.

It will be more expensive to go to a specialist, but think of all what you have gone through so far and the cost. Going to a specialist who will guide you through the process to determine what is causing his problems is well worth any money spent. Think of the long term.

[DianeMcA]

I have been in contact with the breeder, she said no allergies in her lines, and been breeding 35 yrs, she said give ivermectin and put him on basic food , chicken or turkey and country cobber dog biscuits , I can't get skin tests till 6 weeks off cortisone , his feet are really red tonight, I rubbed hemp seed oil on them , i live hours away from skin specialist and we discussed it with the vet today , we are going to look at blood tests if it soon doesn't get better, but I am willing to travel to Canberra or Sydney if need be Canberra is 3 hrs, Sydney is 5 hrs still have to wait 5 more weeks for cortisone to get out of system , and I took him to the first vet in December and she put him on high doses of cortisone, it helped while he was on it but back yo problem when finished , I then tried a holistic vet , he changed his diet and again put him on cortisone and advocate spot treatment , and gave acidophilus ,VC omega oil mix and metagenics anti inflamatory , he has been on the best diet for 4 weeks , and the redness has never gone away except when on cortisone , I will not be giving him cortisone again , I am trying to support and build up his immune system , I don't think it has been bombarded , except the cortisone , I never wanted him to be on it but I listened to the vet , he has boots but they are not proper ones ,!i just got kids non slip and put velcrow around the top, I will have to look online for water proof ones

[~Anne~]

Malaseb is I think what you were referring to earlier. Yes, it will help.

It's seems to my uneducated way of thinking that it might very well be a contact allergy. You said he was worse after running in the paddock. What's in the paddock that may be affecting him? He could be allergic to grass as well. It may not be something sinister like wandering dew.

I'd be buying a decent set of boots for him ASAP and see of that helps. Put them on every time he goes out side. Watch and see if there is any improvement.

Boots and Malaseb can be ordered online as you probably know.

[persephone]

if it is mange , and has been present since December --- from my experience ...you would probably have a bald or dead dog by now

I have seen many dogs with both types of mange - sarcoptic, and demodectic ....and treated lots of them myself , too.

The scurf (dandruff) in his coat is not terribly concerning ...

4 weeks isn't a great deal of time - and if the scurf has developed over that time , then perhaps the diet is not what his body does well on?

Skin problems are terribly tricky ..

the breeder recommended Cobber?

Hmmm ..if he were mine he would be having NO grain at all ..just lots of good meat(with fat on /bone and a little veg/fruit , eggs ..and plain yoghurt) NO treats, biscuits or human food .

I had a dog who was teribly allergic to food colourings /grass/and some pollens . It was horrible.

have you cleared that wandering Dew yet ?

[Steve]

Have you removed the wandering Dew ?

Edited April 2, 2014 by Steve

[DianeMcA]

I have moved the WJew from my front yard but when he goes up the horse yards with hubby when I'm at work , you wouldn't know what was about , I've just gotten home now and his feet look a lot better than last night , though he is scratching his belly and having a lick of his feet, but they are not as red,

my vet did talk about a blood test for checking allergies , but I think I would rather take him to see someone, I just want his body to sort this allergy out, and what about the mange that only affects the feet? As he only has hair off and red on his feet and back of his legs , I brought some kids anti slip slippers from BigW and put velcrow around them , but they are not water proof , the good tracker proper dog boots are about $90 sent

[Steve]

Doesnt sound like mange to me = sounds like he is walking on and over wandering Dew.

[Guest Ams]

Doesnt sound like mange to me = sounds like he is walking on and over wandering Dew.

I agree with Steve. He has contact allergies.

[tdierikx]

You need to waterproof (and everything-else-proof) his feet... or completely restrict his wanderings about your house and horse paddock/yard until you know what he's allergic to.

The fact that he's getting the rash on his belly as well indicates that he's laid down in whatever it is he's allergic to, and that's why he's now itchy there also.

Hubby may need to take the mower/whipper snipper to the horse yard to reduce whatever it is that upsetting the dog - or stop taking the dog out there - it really is that simple at this point.

Until you get a specialist to do a bunch of tests to find out exactly what the dog is allergic to, you will just be running around in circles - and it won't help the dog (or you) any...

T.

[DianeMcA]

I rang a dermatologist clinic in Sydney today, but it's $320 consultation and then more $100's for the testing on top, plus driving 10 hrs up and back to Sydney, I'll search on line for boots tonight , will at least start as a cheaper option, he's having mashed pumpkin, lentils and raw lamb for tea , as well as his omega's +++

[persephone]

I have never seen mange just on feet like that ..not to say it is impossible ..

if/when you start a new diet ..it will need to be done consistently for some time . Chopping & changing foods/medications will not be helping at all he could be allergic to absolutely anything.

be very careful with the boots, too ..if his feet get damp/warm/hot you will find they itch /hurt more!!

skin problems are something which need to be diagnosed and managed/treated with thoroughness, consistency and patience .

best of luck :)