Annie has Red Mange

[BC_MoM]

I'm pretty sure everyone remembers Annie.

When Annie came up from Kentucky, she had ear mites and mange. Her sister and a Collie that came up also had mange, but it was sarcoptic mange. Annie has red mange.

Last time she was here for a visit, she had a bit of redness on the inside of her legs and hairloss above her eye.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e99/Aquarius89/Annie/100_1509.jpg

Annie had revolution for her ear mites, and they cleared up. She has been on antibiotics and advantage for the mange and has received 26 doses.

Above the eye is still bad, there is a spot on her cheek now, and on her chest and paws. It's getting worse.

Annie is about 7 1/2 months old. I have a feeling her immune system is being totally attacked with all of this and it is not helping. I was watching a show last night that said if it gets into the immune system, it will be a lifelong battle. I'm not sure if this is true or not. Most sites I've read also say that it is usually outgrown as the immune system develops, but that is certainly not the case here.

I'm looking for any advice I can get. I feel so bad for my baby girl - it's not fair that she has to go through this. We all thought it would clear up, but it hasn't and it's getting worse.

What can we do to help her? She is going to a different vet for a second opinion - and may be going to a holistic vet for a third opinion.

Any suggestions or advice would really be appreciated.

[dragondawg]

Ask your Vet if the demodex manage might be secondary to dermatomyositis, which is a genetic defect in collies. Will probably involve a referral to a doggy dermatologist, which probably isn't a bad idea anyway.

It's not that the mites get into the immune system, but rather the immune system is defective in its ability to keep the mites in check. I went through a bout of demodex with Barney when he was about 1.5 months old. First came kennel cough within days of getting him from the shelter, followed by the mites a few weeks later - trying to take advantage of a stressed out immature immune system. He was treated with oral ivermectin for about 2 .5 months. Initially he was also given antibiotics to clear up any skin infections associated with the skin damage. Once a week or every two weeks he got an oatmeal shampoo bath to get rid of any dead skin cells. In additon I supplemented his diet with Vitamin-E (dry succinate salt form), and fish oil. Both help in the repair of the skin. His episode is the common type in puppies- one and done.

If a puppy continues to get repeated demodex manage attacks it probably does signal a weak immune system. And you are correct it would be a life long battle. There are rare cases where the demodex becomes life threatening due to the skin damage, when a puppy's immune system is severely impaired.

As a footnote if an older especially geriatric dog who previously had few or no problems with demodex mange suddenly comes down with a case, one should have the dog checked for serious underlying disease such as cancer.