Demodex Mange

[Gabejliserio]

Hello my name is Gabriel i have a 10 month old boxer who has this skin disorder which is hereditary. Well i came to know that all dogs have it hidden in them somewhere. It only breaks out if your immune system is really low and stressed out a lot. Well the reason she has it is because when she was born she had liquid in her lungs still from her mom. So she almost died but we perform cpr on her and got the liquid out. So out of 6 litter she was the littlest and tiniest. Well now she is the biggest out of the females of her litter. Well we cure her with her 1st break out. But now she went into heat she broke out again on her side of her face. Well i was thinking if i spayed she wont break out again and feed her vitamin b pills and give her some nutro to build her immune system. Does anyone have any tips or info on this type of disease?

[gmacleod]

Yes, there is a ton of information about demodectic mange on the forums. If you do a search, you'll find a great deal of advice and many others' experiences.

You're right that she should be spayed though. The additional stresses of the hormone surges are liable to bring on resurgences of mange at every cycle. One important thing though, is NOT to spay her until you've got the mange under control. As you're aware, this is an immune system problem - and excessive stresses to the immune system of a dog with a weak immune system is what results in mange. Sure, a heat cycle is such a stress. But so is surgery So don't do it until after the mange is controlled (you've got several months before another heat is due, after all).

[Gabejliserio]

Originally Posted by gmacleod

Yes, there is a ton of information about demodectic mange on the forums. If you do a search, you'll find a great deal of advice and many others' experiences.

You're right that she should be spayed though. The additional stresses of the hormone surges are liable to bring on resurgences of mange at every cycle. One important thing though, is NOT to spay her until you've got the mange under control. As you're aware, this is an immune system problem - and excessive stresses to the immune system of a dog with a weak immune system is what results in mange. Sure, a heat cycle is such a stress. But so is surgery So don't do it until after the mange is controlled (you've got several months before another heat is due, after all).

Thank you for the info. I came to report that that her battle wounds are closing up and growing hair on her cheeks. I changed her food to Ultra Nutro. Im bathing her everyday with some special shampoon. Letting her run around in our 1/2 acre backyard to get some exercise. She is also gaining some weight and eating her food. Another thing is its hard to find good large breed puppy food in San Antonio. I was looking in the doganalysis food website all the dog food except for 4 stars i cant find in san antonio except Blue Wilderness after she turns 1 i will feed her but until then i just stick to what she's eating. Just curious anyone is having a hard time like i am.

[bmwinter]

Hang in there! Our dog had mange as a youngster & we used to have to do the whole "puppy poison" thing every week (shampoo him etc) as a result he now hates baths. HOWEVER he came good. Its just a matter of time and being patient and hopefully he'll be fine soon. My dog gets skin complaints from time to time and is soo itchy I take him to the vet - I get paraniod its the dreaded mange again - but it never is - just something that passes. Good luck and im sure in time you'll be writing in to boxer world with "another problem" (as we do) LOL.

[gmacleod]

Originally Posted by Gabejliserio

Another thing is its hard to find good large breed puppy food in San Antonio.

Does the same apply to standard puppy formulas? Boxers don't need specific large breed foods (they're a medium breed). Or how about all-life-stages formulas? Those are very often better than the limited life stage options.

Still, a lot of what is "wrong" with the 4 star foods is simply a matter of meat content. If you can find some for which that is the sole complaint, then it's an easy matter to put right (you just add some real meat to the diet ).

[HurricaneBox]

I know that there are at least four pet stores in San Antonio that sell Canidae ALS. I know there as been a lot of talk lately about their formula change, but it stands to reason that if these pet supply stores carry Canidae they will likely carry other top quality brands. Go to the Canidae website and to a search in store locator, then you can call the stores and see what else they carry. I just did that search for my parents who live in SA (I was born and raised a San Antonio girl... go SPURS!) so I know there is at least one or two off of San Pedro Ave and I think one on Broadway.

[JonesNC]

You can also go to the wellness site and do a store search using your zip code. There are three sources within 20 miles of me so I'm sure there will be options for you.

[Gabejliserio]

Originally Posted by HurricaneBox

I know that there are at least four pet stores in San Antonio that sell Canidae ALS. I know there as been a lot of talk lately about their formula change, but it stands to reason that if these pet supply stores carry Canidae they will likely carry other top quality brands. Go to the Canidae website and to a search in store locator, then you can call the stores and see what else they carry. I just did that search for my parents who live in SA (I was born and raised a San Antonio girl... go SPURS!) so I know there is at least one or two off of San Pedro Ave and I think one on Broadway.

Originally Posted by JonesNC

You can also go to the wellness site and do a store search using your zip code. There are three sources within 20 miles of me so I'm sure there will be options for you.

Yea i have seen that but i was comparing that to blue wildernes and canidae. Do ya'll now how much that canidae is for like a 14 lb bag i checked the places tht sell but they wont answer the darn phone.