Anyone ever heard of this?

[HAnn521]

Demodectic Mange ....?

I hate to say it, but my little baby (a female Corgi, 11mths old) has been diagnosed with demodectic mange. I know what you're thinking, exactly what I thought too...how in the world did my spoiled, happy, healthy little pure-bred Corgi get some kind of mange!!??

Turns out, demodex (as it's called), is a hereditary condition, caught by being in the dogs genes from it's mother and it surfaces when the dogs immune system is weak. No other way to have it, except by the parents' genes.

My uncle (and vet) diagnosed it after I noticed a small spot under her eye was red, irritated and losing a bit of hair. I got so scared...now we're giving her treatment for it..an oral medication.

I've been told it will take a month to heal and the medication is given daily. Has anyone ever heard of this before or dealt with it in your dog??

(I also have pictures that show the progression if anyone is just interested for educational purposes)

[woofgang]

well you are right that it comes from the dog's mum, but according to http://www.marvistavet.com/html/demodectic_mange.html, it isn't genetic as such. The good news is the treatment seems to be very successful. Poor puppy, it does sound like it has been in the wars. Have you spoken to the breeder?

[HAnn521]

Hi woofgang....

Yes, it seems that my Mazy has been through a lot, but remember, you have heard about all the struggles instead of the many joys!

To answer your question about the breeder...It turned out that after I adopted Mazy from her, she vanished and it went downhill from there! I got no papers, no responses from phone calls, discovered Mazy was in poor health...and the breeder was long gone!!

In a way, I feel I rescued Mazy from where she was, and she is definately in a better place with me. We are getting through this...I just wanted to know if anyone else had ever encountered Demodex.

[shaneystar]

Young adolescents (5 - 12 months) commonly develop a non-contagious type of mange called Demodectic mange, which is caused by small, cigar-shaped mites living in hair follicles. This type of mange is called "non-contagious" because it is transmitted only during the first few days of life, from mother to pups, and it is presumed that virtually all dogs harbour Demodex mites in at least some of their hair follicles. The factors that cause the mites to reproduce are not understood fully, but it is postulated that hormonal influences play a role. The "Localized" form of Demodex is common in adolescents and is self-limiting and self-"curing," causing one or perhaps several focal, circumscribed areas of hair loss with only a little, if any, sign of dermatitis. In a small percentage of dogs the areas of hair loss may become numerous and may begin to coalesce, creating a situation which is termed "Generalized Demodex." The generalized form of Demodectic mange is thought to be caused by a specific, hereditary deficiency in one part of the immune system. It is difficult to treat and affected dogs should not be bred.
I blagged this off a Uk website HAnn but many years ago now my parents had a Golden Cocker spaniel ..a lovely dog who developed this. The vets answer was that she was too closely bred.It never really cleared up completely although she had a fairly long happy life
Don't let me make you panic by saying this please..it was over thirty years ago.I'm sure that these days with advances in veterinary medicine Mazy will be fine.
Here is the article
http://www.takingthelead.co.uk/2/Health/skin_alleg.htm

[HAnn521]

Thanks shaneystar...I knew you'd be there for me and my pup!

The websites have helped me to better understand it now. I know this can be common with dogs her age who didn't exactly get bred 'correctly'. I also know that since she is young, she is suppose to be able to heal and be rid of the condition as she growns older.

I do, however, worry about getting her immune system stronger. I am reading up on ways to do that now...so that we won't see this condition surface again!

thank you