Demodex Mange ??

[bellareea320]

I took Luna to the Vet because she has a bald spot on the top of her head that keeps getting bigger. The Vet did a scrap and said it was Demodex Mange. She also said it was very common in Mastiff breeds. I have a topical ointment to put on it and she said it should take 4-6 weeks to get better. Does anyone have any experience with this type of mange? She said it happens when the immune system is compromised and Luna had a UTI a few weeks ago!

 

[Marrowshard]

I've never had it happen personally, but it's one of those things that is always on the dog anyway but will "flare up" on occasion. It sounds pretty typical according to what I've read: topical cream and no itching allowed and it should clear straight up. I wouldn't know about mastiffs being more susceptible though, I always thought it was dog in general.

~Marrow

 

[bellareea320]

Thats what I thought too and then she said in mastiffs so i was wondering if these flair ups were something she would deal with forever. It is common and she doesnt itch it. Thank God

 

[DennasMom]

PetMD says the demodex mites are basically everywhere, but suggests that some dogs have a genetic pre-disposition to 'flair-ups':

"...there are certain dogs that, because of genetic programming, do not produce the specific immune factors that will target the mites for destruction. That specific lack of adequate immune defense against the mites is a hereditary aspect of the disease that can predispose an infested dog to a severe, unresponsive case of demodex."
From: http://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/evr_dg_demodectic_mange_in_dogs

I guess that's where the 'common in the breed' part comes in. That's the first I've heard of that one for mastiffs, though (or any breed, really). Sounds like Luna's issue was more that her immune system was already busy with the UTI, not any genetic issue. And, sounds like you caught it good and early.

The same article also says, that once your dog has them, and fights them off... a reoccurrance is not likely, since the body is "primed" to deal with them again, if it has to.

Glad she doesn't itch! Hope she's back to 100% soon!

 

[masteneo]

we used a dip that had pamethrian in it. pyrethrian is the other dip u see alot but not as affective. pardon my spelling

 

[angelbears]

I would avoid the dip unless it gets really bad. Like everyone else says, "all dogs carry around the mite". I wouldn't let it worry me. Try to keep her from scratching it.

Big hugs to Luna!

 

[Robtouw]

Demodex is a mite that is naturally found in their skin, all dogs have the mite but not all have a severe reaction or overpopulation of them. An over population of the mites can be transmitted from the mother. This is how my vet described them. Supposidly as the pup matures his or her reaction to the mite become less severe as his immune system strengthens. Cruiser at about age 3 months started scratching like crazy and his coat was thin on his head, sides and behind the ears. His skin scraping was negative but we used revolution every two weeks for three months to treat the demodex. It did seem to work, the majority of thin areas have filled in with the exception of one place on his side. I am also told that ivermectin helps keep it under control.

 

[masteneo]

usually the dip is only a one time thing, only after vet confirms test. otherwise this can irritate the heck out of the ole pups skin more. some country folk use the same dip as a flea dip. i dont recomend doing this. personally for fleas i like comfortis. just a side note

 

[Aplatitsin]

Can you post a pic of that bald spot

 

[bellareea320]

Its on the top of her head. I am using goodwinol ointment once a day. She said it should take 4-6 weeks to improve. I take her back wed for a check up. she also said that if it gets worse we could do a dip or an oral regimen but she wanted to start with this because it is relatively small

 

[bellareea320]

<img id="vbattach_12246" class="previewthumb" alt="" src="http://www.mastiff-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12246&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="12246">&nbsp; Its on the top of her head.&nbsp; I am using goodwinol ointment once a day. She said it should take 4-6 weeks to improve. I take her back wed for a check up.&nbsp; she also said that if it gets worse we could do a dip or an oral regimen but she wanted to start with this because it is relatively small

 

[masteneo]

wow you caught that one early, that is very small compared to many i have seen. Just keep working with the vet and you will be a ok

 

[bellareea320]

I saw it when it was peas size and monitored it from there. Then I saw it was getting bigger and I knew something was up becuase there was no bump like a bite and Im really obsessed about her and notice anything different. I know how bad it could have been so Im lucky thst it was caught early

 

[musicdeb]

Keep us posted on Luna's progress. It can be a slow process so hang in there. Thank goodness you caught it early.

 

[Brutus' mom]

I dealt with demodex mange with Brutus from the time he was a puppy, until he was about a year old or so. I refused to do the dips, so I used a sulfur based shampoo once a week to try to keep things under control. It seemed to definitely help keep the hair follicles flushed out. Once Brutus got past the mange, he then got into skin infections, requiring antibiotics, and had those 2-3 times a year, until we switched him over to a raw diet. It took almost a year after switching to raw, but he did stop getting the skin infections. I was told by other French Mastiff breeders that skin problems can be common but they all recommended the raw diet. It seemed that Brutus outgrew the mange issue after about a year or so. I just kept doing the once a week sulfur shampoo baths, leaving the shampoo on him for about 15 min before rinsing.

 

[musicdeb]

Yes, it appears raw diet is the only solution to skin allergies/conditions in DDB's. Titan skin is about 98% cleared. No more antibiotics or steroids because of skin allergies/conditions. He used to get ear infections every other week. He hasn't had one in a long time, can't even remember the last one.

 

[Robtouw]

I wanted to add to my posting. I finally got Cruiser's food issues sorted out and he is on a constant diet. We are now only applying the Revolution once monthly. After his surgery he was on an antibiotic for three weeks. I am not sure if its maturity, food, or the antibiotics, but his demodex is finally under control. At its worst, his sides and rear were pretty bare and he was scratching like nuts! His coat has filled in, no more spots, no more itching. His surgeon had said that as he matures the demodex would begin to subside as his immune system strengthened. We battled it in excessive form from age 3 months to 5 months and it was a nightmare!

 

[masteneo]

i hate the ole mange with a passion.

 

[bellareea320]

She was very itchy yesterday for the first time. Today it looks so much better. Everyday it changes a little. Def looking a little better but I was told its going to take some time

 

[tchvt]

I am currently fostering a Cane Corso that is recovering from an extreme case of demodex. Most of the time if a dog is under stress the demodex will break out. Ivermectin is the best way to treat this. Give it orally and it will kill off the mites. Otis my foster had sat in a shelter and "rotted" for 2 months before rescue stepped in. the shelter was treating it as a food allergy? anyways, he was a total mess almost bald, feet and face severly swollen couldn't walk and barely see. From his chin to his chest was raw like hamburger and dripping blood along with his groin and arm pits. He was also very under weight. It take time to kill off the mites, using a Ketachlor shampoo helps with the smell. attached are pictures of Otis from day one and today/