more information about demodectic mange
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The following is born of my experience and reading. It has worked for dogs
that have come to us.
DO NOT use any cortisones/steroids. This will only make the mange much
worse.
NOOOOOO dips.
The dips usually make it worse, especially in short haired dogs for some
reason. The dips are only effective with certain dogs and in certain cases.
When it is localized (in just a few spots) and there is no open sores or
skin irritation, the dips may be effective, but even then I do not go that
route. The pesticide route thinks "Hey, there are too many bugs. Poison
kills bugs. Lets give lotsa poison." This idea makes logical sense enough,
but there is really not much practical application with demodex - All dogs
have demodex mange mites on them. There is a balance, and things work out
just fine. However, some breeds, or more correctly, types of dogs seem more
predisposed to having mange mite infestations (out of balance) and the
resulting skin irritations and infections. Short haired dogs, dogs with
wrinkles, and some long hair double-coated dogs seem to get mange more than
other breed/types. Sadly, Pit Bull type dogs seem to have the perfect makeup
for those pesky lil mites.
It is a cycle - and the pesticides only perpetuate the cycle. It is somewhat
of a paradox - you administer the dips or ivermectin to kill the mites. It
does, but it also weakens the dog's immune system, thus making the dog more
likely for infection, over yeast production and - yep - demodex!
There is not one cause or one treatment, but rather a process, as it all
seems connected. It is not easy but it is simple, if that makes any sense.
First - Stop giving any chemical treatments. No ivermectin. No dips. Do not
apply any flea or tick preventative, and do not vaccinate. We are trying to
take these types of stresses as much away as possible. This many not be
needed for dogs with small, "localized", non-infected mange spots - but for
dogs that have red bumps, generalized thinning fur, and mange spots that are
larger than a sliver dollar, or mange on several parts of the body - please
ad hear to this suggestion.
Second - Diet. Mange mites feast and thrive on body yeast and unhealthy
skin. Also, the yeast overproduction with make for itchy skin that the dog
will scratch hoping for relief. Instead, it will only damage the skin
further and initiate infection - all things that make a great mite
neighborhood.
Get the dog on a simple raw meat diet. There are so many ingredients even in
the top of the line high-quality kibbles that, especially with a short
haired dog and even more so with a Pit Bull type - can perpetuated, if not
cause completely serious allergy and skin irritations. Kibble can cause or
contribute to the skin yeast over production, as well. One common sign of
yeast is a red or clay looking color on the dog's claws, usually with the
dogs chewing uncomfortably at their paws. Red areas around the eyes, lips,
nose, and ears can also be yeast and/or food allergy. Sometimes it is seen
around the genitalia, as well. The forehead seems a common first-sign area,
too. There can be a noticeable odor... and that is yeast.
So, cut out the kibble completely. There are many ways to make feeding raw
as cheap or even much less expensive than feeling dry kibble. Our diet
section of the forum has some great posts and information, and I am happy to
share my experiences or suggestions too... just ask!
With the raw as part of helping clear up mange, KEEP IT SIMPLE. No dairy at
all, please. The dairy, even in the forum of yogurt, can engender yeast
production. Just go with raw chicken/beef/lamb/fish - whichever you can get
the best deal on. Do NOT feed salmon or trout raw - it can make a dog very
seriously ill. I would avoid turkey, as in my experience is substantial
instances of dogs being allergic to it. It may be just great later, but
while trying to to an overhaul on the pup's immune system and treat the
mange, we are going to avoid the turkey. No pork, please. There are many
reasons I say this, and others disagree, but I will only give advice that I
would take. So, no pork. I will happily explain why I think this, but not
this time around, as I often digress when I start talking about the details
of feeding raw!
Give an egg a day - raw, and crumple up the shells with your fingers and
throw them into the mix. The calcium that the shells offer is great, but as
far as the yeast is concerned, the biotin in the shells is invaluable. It
will help to being the yeast balance back.
Olive and/or fish oil in the food, or as a capsule supplement. This helps
the skin and coat, but the fish oil also gives both omega 3 and 6 fatty
acids. (Which are good! The 6's can be overdone, but the oils contain less
of the 6's than the 3's. Both, in good moderation, are great for a dog.)
Give a clove of raw garlic a day - after feeding. The garlic will secrete
out of the dog's skin, and will act as a mild natural pesticide. This helps
with fleas, as well.
Third - Supplement. This is where I have read, reread, and experimented.
Here is what I have so far...
Give 500mg of vitamin C twice a day, after food. Give one ProBiotic capsule
a day, after the first meal (this is non dairy based, and has the goodies
that people generally use yogurt for). Give a vitamin B supplement as
directed on the bottle for a humans daily dose. A biotin supplement should
be given twice a day, after meals, as should spirulina, and a dog
multivitamin.
Offer a chewable calcium supplement with no sugar after both meals (like
TUMS - non flavored).
Get the dog on Benedryl. This will help stop the itching, which perpetuates
the yeast problem and can cause or contribute to skin infections.
Find a supplement of melotonin and valarian root. Give this at night, after
the night meal. The mel with bring down some adrenalin levels (which can
aggravate the mange) and will help encourage hair growth. The valarian will
cause a calming sensation, and helps to encourage a good slumber - instead
of pup being up itching. Good solid sleep without itching does pretty
remarkable things for healing a stressed immune system.
You can find supplements that have mel and valarian together. Use the human
dose, and follow the directions on the bottle.
Keep the pup on Cephelexin (antibiotic), 500mg twice a day. Do this until
every last bit of mange evidence is gone. Also, run out to your local feed
store and snag a bag of Terrmycine. It is a very mild antibiotic commonly
used as a preventative with livestock during travel or stress. Add a tea
spoon of the powder to a gallon of water and use this for the dog's water.
Keep these ratios, and continue for two weeks. This really seems to help.
Fourth - Topicals. This is where it gets a bit tricky and a bit fun. One
thing you may be battling in addition to the yeast is fungus. The treatments
that I explain here will help with that, as well. Something to know, though.
While you are out at the feed store picking up the Terrmycine, snag a bottle
of iodine shampoo. It will usually have a picture of a horse on it, and it
is rather inexpensive. Gather the essential oils (and I mean the REAL
thing - the perfumes are a totally different deal and will harm the dog. If
you would like for me to order and send you actual essential oils, just let
me know. The price is not very high) for lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, tea
tree, and peppermint. These are wonderful for the skin, but also act as
natural buggie killers. Also, get these fresh, if you can. Mix the essence
oils with either olive oil or caster oil. Apply topically several times a
day, and in liberal amounts. Be sure that the oil is making it to the skin,
and favor spots that are dry, flaky, sore, red, or bumpy. Make sure to get
in between the toes and under the base of the nails.
Get white vinegar - apple cider is the best. Cut it 50/50 and put it in a
spray bottle. Apply it topically, either with the spray bottle or on a rag,
to the dog twice a day. Yes, this is messy and involves a lot of work. Your
dog will smell interesting, what with all of the essential oils and vinegar,
but PLEASE know that this helps out amazingly. The vinegar kills yeast, and
does so rather effectively. If the ears are not healthy, vinegar and water
will help greatly.
If the yeast is super-bad: Monostat -7. Make sure that it is the "7", as I
have been told that it is milder. Administer on feet, ears, and 'hot spots'
where the mange seems the worst. follow the directions on the box for how
long to use the product. I do not have much experience with this part of it,
so this is pretty much all that I have to say about it.
Now, if you have the fresh herbal ingredients listed above, put a generous
amount into a small pot with clean water.Add a handful of (actual) sea salt.
PLEASE add comfry root or leaves, as it does nothing short of amazing with
healing the skin. Boil the water for 5 minutes, and then cover with a lid or
plate, and let sit. You are making a skin tea. After this brew is cooled off
enough to touch comfortably, but is still warm, apply it topically. Use a
clean rag to make a compress, and hold the tea rag up against some of the
worst spots. You will see remarkable improvement with just a few
administrations.
Fifth - BATH TIME! Once every few days, it is time for a warm bath. Add a
handful of sea salt to the bath, and feel free to add a few drops of your
above essential oils. Do not use any soaps. Use the iodine shampoo if there
is any red bumps, sores, or open spots on the skin. This will help treat
possible or existing skin infection. If not, then do not use it. Scrub well
with the warm bathwater to help rinse off the prior days' oils and vinegars,
and to clean off skin yeast, dead skin and follicles, and (hopefully) dead
mites. It also may stimulate some hair growth. Do a mild vinegar rinse
before getting out. Do not bathe more than once every three days, and later
make the time much longer. Over bathing can cause more damage than good, as
it dries out the skin and causes more oil production from pooch. Such a
cycle.
Sixth - Surroundings. Do not use wool bedding. Not sure why, but it seems to
cause harm. Do not use Fabreeze, Simple Green, or other good smellin'
chemicals. Stop using as many chemicals as possible - stick to good ole'
bleach. Use stainless steel food and water bowls, as the plastic can harbor
bacteria, engender allergic response, and hold fungus spores. SUN... get out
and in the sun and fresh air. This really helps. However, do not expose pup
to harsh sun or for long periods. Sensitive and healing skin needs not to
battle a sunburn, too!
Follow the above to the best of your ability. It is not an exact science,
and do not be scared to experiment a bit and find what works best for you
and the pup.
If ears are bad, have the vet give you Otibiotic or Genotic B-C ear drops.
Works really well.
If eyes are red, swollen, or have a discharge, snag a tube of the terrmycin
eye gel while at the feed store. Put a small ribbon in the eye twice a day.
Do NOT use any cortisones in the eyes without a vet administered "ink test".
If there is any scratching on the eye due to swelling and irritation, the
cortisone will cause serious harm.
You will see REMARKABLE difference within two weeks.... Sometimes the hair
loss/thinning will get worse before it gets better, but you will see that
the skin is healing and is less red.
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