Help - recurrent mange

[LadyBlaBlah]

I have a fantastic little dog, and for most of this year he keeps getting mange in his feet. It is so painful for him...he won't go for walks, constantly biting his paws.

I've spent hundreds on this potion that is like a sheep dip thing but everytime I finish the treatment, it's back in a few weeks.

I'm at my wits end with it.
He's so sad.

Anyone have any experience of this?

[SpicyBear]

Are you not using a preventative such as Advocate?

[LadyBlaBlah]

He has advantix but I'm pretty sure that just does fleas and ticks?

[UpWithPup]

Our pup had manage when he was very small. Advocate worked a treat and we've had no problems since.

[LadyBlaBlah]

I just googled advocate and it says mange treatment.
I don't understand why my vet hasn't recommended this...I've spent £600 on this other stuff - aludex - and nothing has improved.
I'll try advocate - £14

[FiveHoursSleep]

It sounds like your dog has a different kind of mange to the one that Advocate treats successfully.
Has he been tested for other conditions that might lower his immune system? Has he had antibiotics, as some of these dogs have deep skin infections as well?
Do you have insurance? Would you consider being referred?

[LadyBlaBlah]

I'm starting to think there is an immune problem.

Each time he has the 4 weekly aludex treatment he also has antibiotics and he's fine after a week of starting the treatment. Then as soon as the ab's stop, he's back to being bad again after 2 weeks.

[FiveHoursSleep]

Advocate treats sarcoptic mange.
From what you describe, your dog has demodectic pododermatitis caused by demodectic mange. Unfortunately, Advocate doesn't treat this :(

[FiveHoursSleep]

How old is he? Is he in good health otherwise?

[SpicyBear]

It might also be looking at diet - what does he eat?

[LadyBlaBlah]

I'm taking him to the vet again tomorrow because he's been limping all weekend....but I'm thinking they'll just prescribe the same...but that would be the 4th time on the same treatment.

So surely this is just not working

[SpicyBear]

My understanding is that advocate covers demodex mites as well

[LadyBlaBlah]

He seems to be in great health otherwise. He's only just 3.

I have my suspicions on where I got him from...long story...but I don't think they were nice breeders. More puppy farm

He's a shih tzu by the way.

[FiveHoursSleep]

You poor thing. These kind of problems can be infuriating and so painful for the dog. It would probably be worth investigating his problems more thoroughly with biopsies and blood tests, if this hasn't been done already.

[LadyBlaBlah]

I think you are right.
There's something else going on here...that I don't know about!

I've had to give him painkillers all weekend (from my very full dog medicine cabinet) because he's in such pain.

Hate it.

[FiveHoursSleep]

I hope you manage to get something sorted for him. Please let us know what happens.

[LadyBlaBlah]

Thank you
I will.

[FiveHoursSleep]

Sorry, I meant Advocate will treat cases of demodex where there is nothing else going on, but the type of thing you are describing suggests that the demodex is a symptom, not a cause.
Sorry about the confusion, am trying to deal with a leaking water tank as well!

[LadyBlaBlah]

What do you mean by symptom rather than cause?
Are you thinking lowered immune system so not fighting it off?

Thank you
And leaky boiler - Officially Not Great Timing

[FiveHoursSleep]

Yes, that there is something else going on that is allowing the demodex mites ( which live on healthy dogs too) to cause a problem.

Leak coming through the ceiling right in the middle of our bed. Nice.

[LadyBlaBlah]

Thank you

I hope you get some (dry) sleep. Sounds horrendous

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Whilst advocate has a licence for demodex field use has shown that it is not an effective treatment, but can help to prevent recurrence.
Most dogs with severe demodectic pododermatitis have other underlying disease such atopy that needs investigating.

[LadyBlaBlah]

Well he's gone in for some biopsies and skin scrapes for the day.
He has for inter digital cysts and the vet said it is unclear whether this is being caused by the démodéctic mange.
The plot thickens.
And the reach in pockets gets deeper
Thanks for all your help, I was slightly more informed today.

[FiveHoursSleep]

At least something is being done. I hope it's more straightforward from here.

[crapcrapcrapcrap]

What lonecat said. In these intransigent cases I've had success with oral ivermectin but I would want thorough investigations first to rule out underlying conditions.