We found out that Bear our toy chihuahua has demodex mange due to bad blood line any suggestions?

Question

We found out that Bear our toy chihuahua has demodex mange due to bad blood line, but now I have this baby and we used a dip the vet gave us and it nearly killed him and cost us 1000.00 at the emergency vet hospital... They say his immune system is compromised so any ideas on how I can boost it? Vitamins? etc...and only serious answers PLEASE! My bear depends on it!

When researching Mitaban we found out that it should not be used on small breeds, also the vet used a lyme dip...We aren't mad at the vet we just need tips on trying to boost his immune system...

Answer 1

Dips are very outdated these days and contain very harmfull ingredients. A safe treatment is Ivermectin (oral or injectable). It also treats other internal parisites. Small dogs are easily disturbed by treatments. Make sure he is well hydrated and be aware of his activity level; they can become hypoglycemic. Call a vet with concearns.

Answer 2

Demodex mange is sort of an auto immune disorder.
the mites are present all the time on the dog body he is just reacting to it.
This can come from stress and many things.
First off you will need to have the vet treat this and get it completely cleared up and it will take months.
You will got to the vet and the dog will have a shot one week then the next week a dip type bath. And then you just alternate between the shots and bathes until he is better.
From then on you need to be very careful about his stress level and that you feed a very high wuality dogs food free from chaep filler and known allergens. The better grade of food you feed the better for the dog.
He may break out again or he may never again have a flare up. It depends on the dog. Some have flare ups their whole lives others only the one time and never again.
Get it cleared up and try to lesses his stress that is thought to be a large factor in them having problems again.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I disagree with the above. I don't think any vet thinks dips are outdated. In fact a dip (Mitaban) is the only approved product for use on dogs for demodectic mange. Your dog DID have a reaction to the dip...that that is not common or expected. The suggestion of Ivermectin is a good alternative...BUT it is used "off label"... not approved for this use. I use it in difficult cases. It is approved for use as a once a month heartworm preventitive, but for demodex, the dose is 50-100 times as much given every day for 2-3 months. Don't let that scare you, it does work...and often better than the dip. Don't blame the vet for using Mitaban on your dog... it was the right thing to try first. His immune system is just faulty to the demodex... not usually in general. This is inheritable and a dog with demodex should not be bred. Good luck.

PLUS...do NOT use motor oil on your dog's body as someone suggested. This guy must live in the 1920s. This will probably kill your dog. He is a moron for suggesting it.

Answer 4

1) Research on the internet for everything you can learn about auto-immune issues in chihuahua's.

2) There are vitamins and supplements you can give your dog. The real issue is HOW MUCH TO GIVE YOUR DOG. TOO MUCH WILL KILL HIM.

For this - I suggest you go online and find a chihuahua group on Yahoo!Groups or Google. Find as much info as you can. Talk to a holistic vet. Start pounding the pavement to learn as much as you can about auto-immune issues in chihuahuas.

3) IN THE MEANTIME - to treat the mange topically - try mixing Boric Acid powder (available at CVs or Wal-Mart) in warm water and dap at the infected areas with clean cloths. Use paper towels or clean rags for each application - do not "double-dip" the dirty cloth back into the Boric Acid/warm water. This may help but again, it may not.

You also should feed him the best darn food you can - if you are feeding him food from Purina - that isn't it. Look for Eagle Pack/Merrick/Wellness. Look for foods with no chicken in them - get the lamb or fish versions. Make sure you mix canned in with the dry.

Or - research feeding raw (BARF). Many dogs with health issues do well on a raw diet.

But your best bet is to talk to people who have dealt with chihuahuas for a very long time. They can tell you what works with the breed (diet wise and supplement wise) and what does not.

Answer 5

I have a chihuahua with demodex also. The vet clinic gave her cream to treat the areas also a malaseb shampoo and a demadex shampoo as well as fish oil supplements. It was a struggle at first but now shes all better and doesn't itch nearly as much.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Hi there I know your struggle hope this is helpfull
Flax seed oil is amazing for immune boosting really high in omega three and six a cap full on food per day great
colloidial silver in drinking water not in a metal bowlthough and a premium dog food such as nutro lamb and rice regular baths with pinetarsol should help with itching half pine tar and half dandruff shampoo leave it on for five min then rinse.

Answer 7

Jack, you have a discipline problem, and you gotta get that under control before you can work on anything else. You gotta let them know that you are top dog, and to do that you will need to think like a dog and act like a dog. First off, follow the dogs around the yard, and any time one of them pees on something, you have to pee over top of it so that your scent overpowers theirs. Anytime they misbehave, you need to bite at their necks and roll them over until they submit. If that doesn't work or isn't sufficient, then you might want to give them detention and have them stay after class for punishment. Good luck!

Answer 8

There is a powder you can get at the farm supply store called bounce back. You mix it with water and give it to the dog. It puts their electrolytes and enzymes back into the body. It is not that expensive and it is some terrific stuff.

Answer 9

PLEASE go to www.earthclinic.com/pets for home remedies for both kinds of mange that work, read the testimonials and see before and after pics too. Good Luck!!

Answer 10

This is one cure that works here in the South and it is burned used motor oil from your car or lawnmower. It is nasty and ugly, but it will save your Dog and is ios allot cheaper than 1,000 dollars I tell ya that.
Rub that oil all over him on that mange and keep him outside locked up. With in 14 days you will see his hair coming back pretty as ever.