Mange is a serious and sometimes untreatable
condition that affects many Boxers. From past experience and discussing
the topic with other Boxers are very susceptible to mange, especially
Demodectic which is passed from the mother to the pup.
Mange is a rather common disease in household pets.
Dogs are primarily susceptible to two forms of mange, Demodectic mange
(red mange) and Sarcoptic mange. Demodectic mange is generally seen in
dogs less than two years of age. These mange mites are passed to
puppies skin from their mothers. Demodectic mange mites live in the
hair and oil (sebaceous) follicles of the skin. The first signs of this
disease are patchy areas of hair loss about the head and forelegs,
which do not itch and do not appear inflamed. These areas may
spontaneously resolve or become larger until large areas of the pet’s
skin is involved. It is considerably rarer in cats. A few of these
parasites are present in the skin of many or all normal dogs. However
dogs which develop disease have a defect in their immune system (T-cell
defect) and can not keep the number of mites under control. The only
product approved for use on Demodectic mange in the United States is
amitraz (Mitaban). This concentrated liquid is diluted to a dip and the
entire animal is immersed and scrubbed in the solution every two weeks
until no living parasites can be seen under a microscope. A compound
named benzyl benzoate cream was once used to treat small areas of
infection. It is no longer believed to be effective. I will sometimes
mix a 10% solution of Amitraz in propylene glycol and have the owner
first cleanse and then massage this solution into isolated lesions. I
have had good success in curing small areas of Demodectic mange in this
way. The effectiveness of treatment is hard to evaluate because small
lesions often go away on their own. Shar Pei dogs are notorious for
their susceptibility to Demodectic mange. When amitraz (Mitaban) dips
fail to halt the infection, I have had good success in placing these
dogs on daily oral ivermectin. This product is sold as Ivomec 1% and
the dose I use is 1ml (cc or approximately 15-20 drops) per110 lbs body
weight. This comes out to 200 mcg/kg of body weight. Ivermectin may
take up to a year to completely cure the dog. In severe cases,
secondary bacterial skin infection is severe and subcutaneous lymph
nodes enlarge with mites present in these nodes.
The second common form of mange in dogs, other pets (and wild animals)
is Sarcoptic mange. This microscopic spider-like mite burrows through
the layers of the skin causing an intense itch and streaks of reddened
skin. After a month or so the skin becomes very crusty. It is spread
from one mature dog to another by contact or by contact with objects
the infected dog has touched. Humans in contact with these pets will
often begin to itch too. This disease in man was once called the seven
year itch. It is the disease that back-woods folk and farmers used to
cure by rubbing the dog with burnt motor oil. Do not attempt this ! The
most gentle way of curing this disease (but the most smelly way) in all
species of animals is with lime sulfur dips. Oral or injectable
ivermectin cures the disease very well too. However, Ivermectin can be
toxic in cats. Besides dogs, I see this disease in cats, hedgehogs
raccoons and squirrels.
A third form of mange, psoroptic mange, I see most often in rabbit
ears and the area surrounding the ears. All ear-mite medicines cure
this disease but the ears often need a soothing antibiotic
corticosteroids cream for a week or two to heal.
A form of mange that I see in budgerigars (parakeets) and canaries is
knemidocoptic mange. It affects their legs, the base of the beak and
their vents. The skin in these areas is thickened and flaky. It
responds very well to ivermectin or oily topical products containing
rotenone (derris root & cube resin) such as Goodwinol. Goodwinol is
difficult to obtain these days, but the active ingredient, rotenone,
can be purchased as an organic rose and vegetable insecticide and mixed
with margarine.
The reason most mange can be treated with any non-toxic oily product is
that mange mites, being arachnids, breath through openings (sphericals)
along their body. Any substance which plugs up these pores kills the
mites. The exception are Demodectic mites which live so deeply within
hair follicles that oily substances do not seem to affect them.
Additional Resources
Discuss
Boxer Health Issues at Boxer-Dog.org.
Find other
Boxer Health Resources in the Boxer and Dog directory.
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Ron Hines DVM PhD has devoted his life to the care of sick, and
orphaned exotic pets and wildlife. He enjoys pets & helping others
care for their pets. Purchase low priced Pet Medication at his website
http://www.2ndchance.info and also read some of the many articles
written by him. Reprint permission granted with this footer included.
Copyright © 2ndchance.info 2003.
