Hi Pam! Actually I thought he looked a lot better then you previously posted. He is thin, but not starved. He has a tenderness about him, which is so cute! I would suggest a good natural kibble with a high protein and fat content for a month or so, just to get the weight on him and build up his immunity system. Also, strongly recommend Lipiderm (omega fatty acids) in his food once per day. You know he must be a strong little fellow to have survived all that has been done to him so far, so personally.......I have a good feeling about him and think that he will bounce right back within a couple of months. He does have a long way to go for that. Besides, too many good prayers have been said by so many of us in agreement and I believe that God has been answering these prayers and will continue to do so.....have faith my friend and believe with no doubt that God can and does perform miracles. That good positive energy will be picked up by Valentino and that will help him to keep on fighting.
It's good to know that this is not contagious to other dogs (unless their immune system is weak) or people......but If it were me, I would still keep him quarantined until you see a noticeable difference that the mange is finally disappearing on him. Here's what I found on the subject, and it does state that there is a special shampoo that can be used to help him, as well as other treatments once his immune system is built up. Which type of demodectic mange did the Vet say he has?? Did he do a skin scrapping to be positive that he diagnosed it properly?? Only a microscope can make a positive ID of which type of mites he has. This is well worth the reading! http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/mange-dogs-canine-scabies (I removed any info on scaroptic mange, since he doesn't have that) Mange is a skin disease caused by several species of tiny mites, common external parasites found in companion canines. Some mange mites are normal residents of your dog’s skin and hair follicles, while others are not. All mites can cause mild to severe skin infections if they proliferate. What Causes Mange in Dogs? All dogs raised normally by their mothers possess demodectic mange mites (Demodex canis), which are transferred from mother to pup via cuddling during the first few days of life. Most dogs live in harmony with their mites, never suffering any consequences. There are three types of demodectic mange that affect canines. (Scroll Below for better explanation) Localized cases occur when these mites proliferate in one or two small, confined areas. This results in isolated scaly bald patches-usually on the dog's face-creating a polka-dot appearance. Localized demodicosis is considered a common ailment of puppyhood, and approximately 90% of cases resolve with no treatment of any kind. Generalized demodectic mange, in contrast, affects larger areas of skin or a dog’s entire body. Secondary bacterial infections make this a very itchy and often smelly skin disease. This form of mange could also be a sign of a compromised immune system, hereditary problem, endocrine problem or other underlying health issue. Treatment depends on the age at which the dog developed the disease. One of the most resistant forms of mange, demodectic pododermatitis is confined to the foot and accompanied by bacterial infections. Deep biopsies are often required to locate these mites and make a proper diagnosis. Is Demodectic Mange Contagious? Current thinking is that Demodex mites can be transferred from one dog to another-but as long as the dog is healthy, the mites simply add to the dog's natural mite population and no skin disease results. Isolation of dogs with even the most severe cases is still felt to be unnecessary-though in rare circumstances, contagion is possible. While there are still different theories about dog-to-dog transmission of Demodex mites, it is accepted that mites cannot be transmitted to humans or to cats. What Are the General Symptoms of Mange in Dogs? The symptoms of mange depend on which type of mite is present. Demodectic mange tends to cause hair loss, bald spots, scabbing and sores. Secondary bacterial infections can make demodectic mange an itchy and uncomfortable disease. .What Should I Do If I Think My Dog Has Mange? Take your dog to a veterinarian, who will perform a physical exam, analyze skin scrapings and try to confirm the presence of mange mites with a microscope. It can be difficult to identify mange mites if they’re buried deep in a dog’s skin, so your vet may rely on clinical signs or your pet’s history to make a final diagnosis. Are Certain Dogs Prone to Mange? Puppies and dogs less than 18 months old are especially prone to developing localizeddemodectic mange, which often clears up on its own. Generalized demodectic mange, the more serious, pervasive kind, can be hereditary in dogs. Old English sheepdogs and shar peis are prone to a severe form of demodectic mange affecting the feet. Older dogs who have an underlying illness may also be more prone. How Is Mange Treated? Depending on the type of mange and the breed of your dog, medication may be given orally or applied topically, by injection, or via shampoo and dip. Medications and managing physiological stress are essential when treating demodectic mange. Some infected dogs may also require special treatment-such as medicated shampoos-for secondary skin infections. Please note, many skin treatments can be toxic to dogs and should not be repeated frequently, so check with your vet before beginning any treatment program for mange. Is There a Cure for Mange? Younger dogs often recover fully from mange, but adult dogs often require long-term therapy to control the disease. Dogs with demodectic mange should not be bred, as this condition is thought to be hereditary. Treatment, no matter which option is chosen, should be accompanied by skin scrapes every two weeks. After two consecutive scrapes are negative, medication is discontinued, but a final scrape should be performed one month after treatment to ensure there isn’t a recurrence. How Can I Prevent a Recurrence of Mange? If you suspect a neighbor’s dog may be infected, keep your pets away to keep the disease at bay. Bring your dog to the vet periodically as recommended for recheck skin scrapes to ensure the mites have been eradicated. _____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________ http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/demodectic-mange-dogs Demodectic Mange in Dogs Demodectic mange is caused by a tiny mite, Demodex canis, too small to be seen with the naked eye. Nearly all dogs acquire mange mites from their mother during the first few days of life. These mites are considered normal skin fauna when present in small numbers. They produce disease only when an abnormal immune system allows their numbers to get out of control. This occurs primarily in puppies and in adult dogs with lowered immunity. A high incidence of mange in certain bloodlines suggests that some purebred dogs are born with an inherited immune susceptibility. Demodectic mange occurs in localized and generalized forms. The diagnosis is made by taking multiple skin scrapings and looking for the mites. Demodectic mites are usually easy to find. Localized Demodectic Mange This disease occurs in dogs under 1 year of age. The appearance of the skin is similar to that of ringworm. The principal sign is thinning hair around the eyelids, lips, and corners of the mouth, and occasionally on the trunk, the legs, and the feet. The thinning progresses to patches of ragged hair loss about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. In some cases the skin becomes red, scaly, and infected. Localized mange usually heals spontaneously in six to eight weeks, but may wax and wane for several months. If more than five patches are present, the disease could be progressing to the generalized form. This occurs in approximately 10 percent of cases. Treatment: A topical ointment containing either benzoyl peroxide gel (OxyDex or Pyoben), or a mild topical preparation used to treat ear mites can be massaged into affected areas once a day. This may shorten the course of the disease. The medication should be rubbed with the lay of the hair to minimize further hair loss. Treatment may cause the area to look worse for the first two to three weeks. There is no evidence that treating localized mange prevents the disease from becoming generalized. The dog should be checked again in four weeks. Generalized Demodectic Mange Dogs with the generalized disease develop patches of hair loss on the head, legs, and trunk. These patches coalesce to form large areas of hair loss. The hair follicles become plugged with mites and skin scales. The skin breaks down to form sores, crusts, and draining tracts, presenting a most disabling problem. Some cases are a continuation of localized mange; others develop spontaneously in older dogs. When generalized demodectic mange develops in dogs under 1 year of age, there is a 30 to 50 percent chance that the puppy will recover spontaneously It is uncertain whether medical treatment accelerates this recovery. In dogs older than 1 year, a spontaneous cure is unlikely but the outlook for improvement with medical treatment has increased dramatically in recent decades. Most dogs can be cured with intense therapy. Most of the remaining cases can be controlled if the owner is willing to commit the necessary time and expense. Treatment: Generalized demodectic mange must be treated under close veterinary supervision. Therapy involves the use of medicated shampoos and dips to remove surface scales and kill mites. Shave or clip hair from all affected areas to facilitate access to the skin. The FDA protocol involves first bathing the dog with a medicated benzoyl peroxide shampoo (OxyDex or Pyoben) to remove skin scales. Allow the shampoo to remain on the dog for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Completely dry the dog. Amitraz (brand name Mitaban) currently is the only miticide approved by the FDA for use on dogs. Make up an amitraz dip by adding Mitaban to water, according to the directions on the label. Be sure to treat the dog in a well-ventilated area and wear rubber or plastic gloves to keep the chemical off your skin. Sponge on the dip over a 10-minute period, allowing the dog’s feet to soak in the rinse. Allow the dip to dry on the dog. Repeat every two weeks, or as directed by your veterinarian. Try to keep the dog from getting her coat and feet wet between dips. Continue this protocol for 60 days beyond the day when skin scrapings first became negative. Side effects of Mitaban include drowsiness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and a staggering gait. Puppies are more susceptible than adults to these effects. If such a reaction occurs, immediately remove the miticide by thoroughly rinsing the coat and skin. If the FDA protocol is not completely effective, your veterinarian may suggest an alternative treatment. Oral milbemycin and ivermectin have been used as off-label treatments, and require close cooperation between your veterinarian and you since they are not officially approved for treating this problem. Secondary skin infections should be treated with antibiotics, based on culture and sensitivity tests. Corticosteroids, often used to control severe itching, lower the dog’s immunity to the mites and should not be used to treat this disease. ------Original Message------- From: Pam Dean Date: 2/16/2012 12:05:14 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] (unknown) [3 Attachments] [Attachment(s) from Pam Dean included below] Ok all. Back from the vets. Don't know all but know some. Think he is 1-2 years old..but hard to tell exactly and weighs just under 3 lbs.. Does not have kennel cough..heart and lungs sound good..but obviously immune system compromised. Could have been from birth or from lack of care. Has yeast skin infection and demodectic mange. This type of mange is heriditary and common in some breeds like Chihuahuas if their immune system is compromised. It is very entrenched and he has had it for a long time. Treatment will be problematic as he is so emasciated etc. and it is in essence a poison, which requires muliple applications and can cause vomiting and diarrhea and lethargy. If his immune system does not come back, we will not be able to get rid of it. He did not do blood work today..he wants to see how he eats and drinks etc and see his progress next week. I did get a shampoo to get his bacterial levels down and an antibiotic. He did eat a big breakfast and drank some water, yeah, and is sleeping again which I expect him to be doing a lot of. So we will see how the week goes, see how the blood work goes, and then decide our course of action. He was so sweet at the vets..wagging his tail and giving the vet tech kisses..what an angel. Attached some pictures..
