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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Help - recurrent mange

34 replies

LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 21:09

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?

OP posts:
SpicyBear · 14/12/2014 21:21

Are you not using a preventative such as Advocate?

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 21:31

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

OP posts:
UpWithPup · 14/12/2014 21:34

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

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 21:38

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 ShockShock

OP posts:
FiveHoursSleep · 14/12/2014 21:42

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?

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 21:45

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.

OP posts:
FiveHoursSleep · 14/12/2014 21:45

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

FiveHoursSleep · 14/12/2014 21:46

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

SpicyBear · 14/12/2014 21:47

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

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 21:48

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 Confused

OP posts:
SpicyBear · 14/12/2014 21:49

My understanding is that advocate covers demodex mites as well

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 21:50

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 Hmm

He's a shih tzu by the way.

OP posts:
FiveHoursSleep · 14/12/2014 21:52

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.

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 21:54

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.

OP posts:
FiveHoursSleep · 14/12/2014 21:59

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

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 22:07

Thank you Smile
I will.

OP posts:
FiveHoursSleep · 14/12/2014 22:13

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!

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 22:29

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 Hmm

OP posts:
FiveHoursSleep · 14/12/2014 23:06

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.

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 14/12/2014 23:39

Thank you Smile

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

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 15/12/2014 07:49

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.

Original poster
LadyBlaBlah · 15/12/2014 10:17

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 Hmm
Thanks for all your help, I was slightly more informed today.

OP posts:
FiveHoursSleep · 15/12/2014 17:05

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

crapcrapcrapcrap · 15/12/2014 21:15

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.

MrsDeVere · 15/12/2014 21:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.