Have any of you had any experience with your furbaby having mange?

[BethS0103]

Frank (our pug) was diagnosed with mange the day he went in to be neutered. We noticed a few red spots on his face that it looked like the hair was thinning and we asked the vet about it. He asked to do a skin scraping to test for mange and sure enough, it came back positive.

So we now have to put ointment on all the "infected" spots and bathe him with a special shampoo once a week. Even though we're using this ointment, it seems to be getting worse and I'm starting to get worried. I keep finding more spots that pop up and I'm afraid my dog is going to look like a walking scab before this is all over. I'm hoping that it's one of those things that has to get worse before it gets better but I feel so bad for the little guy.

I was reading on the internet that mange is more common in puppies because their immune systems aren't fully developed yet so they have a harder time fighting off the mites that have burrowed under the skin and that once their immune system matures, it often goes away on its own.

Have any of you had any experience with this and your furbabies? Did it go away on its own or did it take a lot of ointment applications and weekly baths like we have to do?

[Belm]

Yes, Moxie had mange as a puppy. Her mange was pretty bad and we actually took her to the vet every week for a special dip (I can't remeber the name of it now ~ it was about 4 years ago). It took about 2 months of visits for it to go away. Of course in the mean time, she looked liked pretty bad. She is now perfectly fine!

[BethS0103]

Belm, oh I'm so glad to hear that Moxie came out of it OK. I've been so worried that Frank isn't going to get better over this.

Hmm... you had to go to the vet once a week for the dipping? I almost wish that we could do that instead of bathing him ourselves. It's very difficult to do it because the ointment and shampoo we have to use is poisonous for the eyes and it's extremely stressful for me to try to get all the "hot spots" without getting it in his eyes considering how close they all are to them. And I don't know about you, but getting a 5-month old puppy to sit still while you put ointment near his eyes isn't the easiest thing in the world to do either. I just wish the vet would do it and I wouldn't have to worry about blnding my little guy. :(

[Nigellas]

I fostered a mange dog- She had sarcoptic mange which was treated with injections. I believe that demodectic mange is treated with dips. Good luck!

[jesvet]

I'm assuming it was demodectic mange? Is he itchy at all?

If the skin is red and inflamed, or there's any discharge, a secondary infection could be setting in. If it's spreading, you can continue the ointment or ask your vet about Mitaban dips (which they can do in the office). The dips are every two weeks, often for a series of 3-4 times. They work very well. If it were my dog that is what I would do simply because it's so much easier to have the vet do it! We have clients bathe the dog at home once a week with a shampoo to flush the follicles, but it isn't poisonous.

Once they are gone, the skin should clear up nicely. Are you planning on neutering your pug? Susceptibility to mange is thought to be genetic so you should not breed him. I would call your vet and just let them know he's getting worse, they might want to recheck.

[BethS0103]

I'm assuming it was demodectic mange? Is he itchy at all?Yes, it's demodectic mange and he has been itching lately but not a whole lot.

We already got him neutered. We found out the day we had him neutered that he had mange. Hmmm... interesting that you said that shampoo was not poisonous because the vet specifically told me not to get either the shampoo or the ointment in his eyes because it is poisonous to the eyes. He's Indian though so maybe he meant to say painful or something else? I don't know.

[EJM]

I would use a dip as a last resort, especially since the spots are on his face. The dip the vet uses is like a poison. What type of ointment are you using, there is a brand called Goodwinol (sp?) that is supposed to be great. You might also consider adding a supplement like Missing Link or 3V to his daily diet, there is also another product you get through a dealer called FastTrack. One of the FastTrack products is supposed to help. Mange can take months to heal so don't give up hope. You want to do things to boost his immunity, then his body can fit the overproduction of the mange mites on his own.

[Jazz]

Our dog has/had a small (2cm x 1cm) patch of demodectic mange on her head, but has been on a medication (ivermectin) instead of the baths. She started the meds at the end of April, and was found mite-free three weeks ago. She's on one last bottle of the meds, just to help see her through until the hair is finally grown in & everything else is all set. Hope your pooch is better soon!

[BethS0103]

EJM, I was wondering if there was anything out there I could buy that would help boost his immunity. Where can I get those things you mentioned?

Yes, Goodwinol is the ointment we are using for the spots on his face and the other parts of his body we've noticed spots starting to form

[BethS0103]

Hmmm... I might wanna ask the vet about putting Frank on medication instead of the baths Jazz. They're so trying on both of us. :p

[EJM]

Where can I get those things you mentioned?

I order 3V on the internet from any major pet website, just depends on who is having free shipping or specials. I searched for Missing Link and it is available at the same stores. I think some vets sell Missing Link at their office too.

It may be getting worse because the baths are stressing him out. Increased stress is what will trigger mange in many dogs.

[jesvet]

The shampoo *I* use isn't poisonous. I don't know what you have, so I can't speak to it. It is a separate item from the dip.

We have used ivermectin with a lot of success for the most part, but it can cause neurologic signs in certain dogs so we prefer Mitaban dip. Ivermectin has to be used carefully. Mitaban was off the market for a while but is now back.

Missing Link is a nice product, and I know it's at Petsmart.

[Jazz]

Doh, Beth, I meant to include what jesvet mentioned about side effects (our dog isn't on the list of breeds known to have trouble in the past):

We have used ivermectin with a lot of success for the most part, but it can cause neurologic signs in certain dogs so we prefer Mitaban dip. Ivermectin has to be used carefully. Mitaban was off the market for a while but is now back.

It did mean lots of extra office visits (we have one of the banfield plans, so this was fortunately not another expense, but it does take time).

Plus, with meds, its dog torture every day. Ours comes in what smells like super sweet cherry syrup, and though it was okay at first in smaller doses, she has now had enough. If she hears me open the fridge door and shake it, she heads to her crate and curls up in the back. Then, I'm all sad about having to pry her mouth open in her safe space.

Did that talk you out of it?? May still be worth mentioning to your vet, but the paperwork from our vet from back in April also says she'd prefer Mitaban but that it was off the market.

Good luck to Frank! :)