What do we know about "mange"

Thank You Dr. Doug......We are very concerned about doing the right thing by our "kids". Not wanting them to suffer but also holding on for as long as we can before having to make that ultimate decision.

I did read recently on one of the Cavalier Web sites regarding their inherent heart issues, something about "fetch" ( a means of determining quality of life)....this is the big question in our minds. As stated both of our girls are into the later stages of MVD, something that seemed to come on very quickly even though we knew about the murmurs....the progression through the stages was rather extreme. Our Vet yesterday said given Maggie's condition, she was surprised she made it through the stress of the chest X-ray! Today, she seems pretty much back to her regular routine.....Thank goodness! Anyways, Thank You all,as always, for the advice and suggestions.

Dwight

We do oxygen therapy frequently but in short stints for acute situations. I don't know how it would affect long term CHF symptoms and have not heard of anyone doing this. I know oxygen is used in people for CHF and COPD. I suspect the effects would be short terms enough that it wouldn't be very effective unless being used almost full time.

I'm so sorry to hear that... here is hoping that you can get her into a better place medically at least for a while.

For some reason, massage keeps popping into my head as I think of her. Such a relaxing thing to recieve and quality time with her for you. There are online videos, I'm sure. Everything from T-touch to just working muscles. Or you could look around your area for someone who does massage for dogs.

I'm interested to hear what Doug thinks of ozygen therapy. It isn't going to cure them, but seems like it might mitigate symptoms for a while.

Our "Maggie" had her first Dip on Monday but it seems the "mange" issue will now take a back seat to other issues. This morning, Maggie had no appetite, had labored breathing and was lethargic. We first thought maybe it was a reaction to the Dip so off to the Vet we went early this AM. The jest of it is, Maggie along with one of our other girls, Rubie (which I've talked about before) both have CHF. The chest x-ray revealed a very enlarged heart and our Vet believes the "mange" was probably a result from the stress of the heart issues.

We were told when we saved our 4 girls to expect these heart problems but Maggie is our youngest at about 5 1/2 years and its a tough pill to swallow! We'll keep the two girls on the Med's, keep them comfy and as calm as possible and pray for the best.

Dr. Doug, if your still reading this thread, what are your thoughts on Oxygen Therapy? I realize it may just prolong the inevitable, but making a make-shift tent to give the girls daily oxygen would be fairly easy ....just not so sure I'd be doing for the right reasons(for us or for them). Sorry for rambling on.....

Thank You all for the Great advice.....its very much appreciated! :B

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
I'm only guessing that because of the location of the "mange" (the lower lip area, practically in her mouth) maybe the use of an ointment is unavailable???? I am wondering what might be some options of addressing the underlying issue especially given Maggie's Thyroid condition(she's been taking Med's for a couple of years)....any suggestions on supplements and/or specific brands of probiotic's?

We have used Forti-flora when our girl was really sick. It helps with immune system as well as being a great probiotic. As far as the " raw" foods, you can get them at most tack and feed stores. One our fussy girl likes is Nature's Variety Instinct Raw. It already has vitamins and minerals and comes in beef and chicken and comes in bags of little frozen patties.

Good Luck!

Oh, yeah. That was the other part. Benzoyl peroxide bath, mitaban dip. Andy had it everywhere but worst on his face and feet. The benzoyl peroxide is horrible, dries out the hands something awful.... and the lincocin tore up his stomach unless I gave him yogurt every day.

But we survived.

Immune support. There are so many things that can be done, including astragulus, vitamin c, bovine colostrum, mushroom extract.... that is just a few of the ones that I can remember off the top of my head. As far as probiotics, I've used several and recently found one that goes in the drinking water that seems quite helpful to the cats, but it's for dogs as well. I only got the sample bottle but am going to go ahead and order the 8 oz to give it a proper try. The idea is to improve mouth health, but the litter box seemed less stinky in the am when all the cats were on it. I tried it on me first, of course, and it worked well.


http://www.piphealthyproducts.com/Pet_Water_Additive_8_oz_p/pip36080h-8z.htm They have it on amazon as well, but it doesn't seem to be on prime, sadly.

You can research immune support for dogs and decide which you'd like to implement, or you could consider a consult with a holistic vet and come up with a specific plan (and dosages) that way. Homeopathics can also be really useful, and a good holistic vet will be able to identify what would be needed. Acupuncture could also be used to balance the system out and thus improve immune response.

The only precaution with the goodwinol is to not get it in the eyes. From location of the lesion, I suspect there is some secondary infection thus the antibiotics.

Most dogs have a lip fold along the lower lip and it's a place that is very prone to infection because food debris accumulates there. You can also see the demodex in pretty high numbers it that location. Sometimes treatment with benzoyl peroxide (many acne products also work)is all you need.

Juno had a case of Demodex when we got her from the rescue in NM. They had thought it was some kind of chemical contact that had caused the naked, raw skin around her face. When we got her home it took our vet a couple of weeks to figure it out, but once we got her on the Ivermectin and some mild antibiotic ointments, it cleared up really fast! If I remember right, we gave the Ivermec in diminishing doses for at least a month if not longer. She looks beautiful now!

I'm only guessing that because of the location of the "mange" (the lower lip area, practically in her mouth) maybe the use of an ointment is unavailable???? I am wondering what might be some options of addressing the underlying issue especially given Maggie's Thyroid condition(she's been taking Med's for a couple of years)....any suggestions on supplements and/or specific brands of probiotic's?