Demodex Red Mange

[Novel]

Anyone had to deal with this in a pup or adult dog?

Again, not so much looking for web sites, but personal experiences.

Thanks all.

Edit: I should say that I am considering adopting a dog with this genetic health problem. I will not endanger my other pups, so I'm trying to get an idea now before I let my heart take over.... as to the practicality of the situation.

[Bullylover]

I'm almost sure this is what Voodoo has. The vet said its demodex. He loses hair down his back and gets really scabby. It itches him. He had it pretty bad last year. We took him about 4 times. They gave him cortisone, a dip called taktic, which is not fun at all, and finally antirobe, an antibiotic. The antirobe did the trick. I thought he had it again a couple of weeks ago. Turned out, it was some flea bites and apparently, he is very allergic to flea bites, as Shaker is not. He did however find a small spot on his head that was demodex again. He put him on Antirobe again and it seemed to work. The vet said, he sees few bullies that dont have a touch of demodex and Voodoo will probably live with it the rest of his life here and there. He said to make sure we keep him healthy and keep his immune system up. I was really scared when I found out that's what it was because people acted like it was the plague. Apparently, its common and treatable. The vet said its not that serious. He has never said that we should neuter him, which some say is a cure for it. Shaker has never got it. He has never said that is was contagious. If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask me.

[Novel]

I've heard that the demodex is not contagious to other kinds, it's the other mange that is.
I've heard you should neuter, because it is passed on genetically from one dog to another. Neutering wouldn't cure your dog, but would prevent any puppies being produced that had it.


If I understand correctly, once you have it under control it still pops up occasionally?
What do you feed him? and how often has he been on antibiotics? How old is Voodoo now? At his worst, how much of his body was covered by the infection? and how long did it take to treat that back to health?

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by Novel

I've heard that the demodex is not contagious to other kinds, it's the other mange that is.
I've heard you should neuter, because it is passed on genetically from one dog to another. Neutering wouldn't cure your dog, but would prevent any puppies being produced that had it.


If I understand correctly, once you have it under control it still pops up occasionally?
What do you feed him? and how often has he been on antibiotics? How old is Voodoo now? At his worst, how much of his body was covered by the infection? and how long did it take to treat that back to health?

Voodoo is out of my bloodline and the one and only of the bully crew to ever develop demo. At his worst he had a very small spot that required about a week to clear up.

This is the only other time it has popped up with Voodoo and hes over a year in age. Most dogs seem to have it crop up during puppyhood.

[Novel]

Thanks Crossfire...
It doesn't seem like a gamble to other dogs, but with the dog that I am considering, his age, and area of infection.... Sigh.

The area that is affected, when healthy, does it look normal, or is the skin and hair always bad?

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by Novel

Thanks Crossfire...
It doesn't seem like a gamble to other dogs, but with the dog that I am considering, his age, and area of infection.... Sigh.

The area that is affected, when healthy, does it look normal, or is the skin and hair always bad?

In Voodoo's case since it was very slight it didn't do damage to the hair folicles and he looks fine. No thin spots or anything of that nature. With some I've seen that have a large area or are almost totally covered with it the skin never seems to truely recover.

[Bullylover]

I myself still wonder if thats what it was. He has flea bites now and it looks the same as it did before. I feed him....yes, Eukanuba. I know alot of people dont like it, but if works great for my dogs. He hasnt been on antibiotics much. Voodoo just turned 2 in June. It was only down the middle of his back. Like I said, the vet isnt concerned with it, said it isnt bad, and isnt concerned with him being neutered, even thought I dont think he will ever be bred, since I wont be breeding him.

Originally Posted by Novel

I've heard that the demodex is not contagious to other kinds, it's the other mange that is.
I've heard you should neuter, because it is passed on genetically from one dog to another. Neutering wouldn't cure your dog, but would prevent any puppies being produced that had it.


If I understand correctly, once you have it under control it still pops up occasionally?
What do you feed him? and how often has he been on antibiotics? How old is Voodoo now? At his worst, how much of his body was covered by the infection? and how long did it take to treat that back to health?

[kazkirkpatrick]

Cooper had demo. Its not contagious (or so I was told by the vet!)

He developed it at 4 months. He didnt go on meds, just had the weekly mitaban dips. He started off on goodwinol ointment to control it until his sutures were out from neutering, then he went on to the dips. After the 4th dip, the tests cameback negative, and after his 6th dip, he was a cured man!

It was a very non-traumatic experience, he is now 3 and he hasnt been affected by it again. His coat is great now, and so is his skin. I wouldnt have a problem taking on a dog with it again if I had to go through the same experience with cooper.

Over and out!

[Novel]

Thanks everyone....