Itchy puppy (demodex mites)

[riosyd]

Poor little Monza (20 week old golden retriever) has demodex mites and is scratching himself almost all the time. We've been to the vet numerous times to rule other things out and, after skin scrapes, have found out that he these mites. He's on his second lot of anti-biotics and has had an Aludex bath on Wednesday (he will have weekly baths until this clears), we're also using Advocate weekly after his bath.

Is there anything we can do to make him more comfortable? - the scratching is making him sore and we're feel so sorry for him. We've tried piritin but that upsets his delicate little tummy

Thanks

Here he is showing his itchy undercarriage

[bexVN]

Strangely demodex isn't usually that pruritic, compared to eg sarcoptic mange. Have they checked he hasn't a secondary infection needing a'bios that are correct for the infection (swab done by a lab)

To be combining advocate and aludex means it must be severe as usually it's one or other.

This is treatable but is severe sounding for your pup. Have they ensured that there is no underlying autoimmune condition (not that unusual when demodex becomes a problem and ironically a careful balance of steroids is needed (which can reduce the itching but obviously have their own side effects esp re: mite infestations!)

This may be a case that needs referring to a dermatology vet but it should be treatable by a good general vet. He also needs a good diet that will help his skin.

Edited by bexVN on Saturday 22 November 21:56

[riosyd]

Thanks for your quick response, the vet originally thought he had a bacterial infection and was prescribed Noroclav antibiotics and Malaseb baths. That didn't clear it up so he's also had a steroid injection and long lasting antibiotic injection. He's been given Clinacin tablets since yesterday. The vet hasn't seen it quite so bad in a retriever puppy before, it's only on his undercarriage too which is apparently unusual.

He's also got a delicate tummy, when I changed him from the food the breeder gave me, he got diarrhoea (same brand of food just from puppy to junior). At the moment he's still on Purina Gastroenteric EN and he weighs just over 18kg.

I'm just wondering if there's something I can do to relieve the symptoms until the drugs/baths start to work. He's a happy dog, bright and alert but driven to distraction with the scratching.

I've never been to the vet so often!

Thanks

PS: My other 2 retrievers (all 3 are related) and cat are fine (thankfully!)

[bexVN]

Demodex is immune related to the individual so not likely to cause issue to the others.

I would want the vets to think of why demodex etc has flared up in the first place. Have they done a proper skin work up (biopsies, swabs, scrapes all to a lab) even consider referral to a dermatology vet esp considering the digestive issues aswell.

Dogs obviously get demodex mites causing a problem but the severity can vary quite a lot this does sound quite extreme

As I said demodex mites themselves surprisingly aren't usually that itchy so you are a bit limited with what to use. You don't want to be using too many lotions etc. Keep him cool poss feed a hypoallergenic diet put socks on feet etc.

Any breeder history of demodex?

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 23 November 08:44

[riosyd]

He's a bit better today so I'm hoping the antibiotics are starting to work.

The vet took skin scrapes, when they repeat these to check for mites I'll ask them to send them to a lab to see what else is going on.

I haven't tried any lotions apart from Aloe Vera (which made no difference), the only thing that seems to help is to put wet towels on his undercarriage. We try and distract him with toys and chew bones to stop him scratching but it's difficult.

There's no history of it in his breeding, fingers crossed he's over the worst of it now.

Many thanks for your advice