Thank you so much for your input. I will try both the lotrimin/hydrocortazone mixture and the tea tree oil. In my mind, anything I can do naturally has to be better than the poisons the vet is suggesting. It may be necessary to go to those in the end but not right now. He is a little perkier today and is eating and drinking well. Still very tired and will be for some time I am sure but starting to show a little personality. He did get his first bath today with an antibacterial shampoo, which I had to leave on for 15 minutes. It couldn't be comfortable because my hands are very dry and a little stingy but he is much cleaner. Was so dirty, scabby and oily , not to mention stinky, before. He was pretty stressed so got to wonder if he has ever had one before. Introduced him to our pack today for the first time. All went so well. He is very submissive and sweet, tail wagging all the time he was surrounded by them lol. He and my Bino are almost the same coloring and size. This is the first strange dog Bino has not gone all barky and defensive in their faces. It was amazing to see them..I think it is because this is the first dog that has not been bigger than him plus Tino's submissiveness. But the strangest thing was my husband's Jack Russell who is an old grumpy, pretty psycho bugger most of the time. Jack was very gentle with him and Tino loved him..He must be used to bigger dogs..
Anyway a pretty positive morning. Tino sleeping all the excitement off now and I am going to try to get something done other than puppy care. ________________________________ From: e <e17...@yahoo.com> To: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, February 17, 2012 9:36 AM Subject: [Chihuahuas] Re: Valentino -Mange Treatments Hello. i have been a member of this group for a while ,as my family is protected an loved by a 4lb spitfire chi named Pasadena.She is the most annoying,lovable,barkable,sweet cuddly,feirce,loyal, being that I have ever met.I have never post to this group but usualy read post daily. I have become anomared with the stoy of this little dog and his rescue. I have some more natural sugestions for you in the treament of the yeast and the mange. When my children were little they got a bit of diaper rash. It was suggested by their pediatricion that yeast causes daiper rash and i realize you are not dealing with diaper rash , yeast is yeast. Our dr suggested i use a mixture of the cheap generic lotrimin cream bought at any pharamcy,mixed with hydrcortazone cream. to clear up the yeast.It may be something that helps. Now the mange. My Grandmother "God rest her Soul" used to treat her dogs and strays that wandered onto her property with an old home remedy. I would not advise it on any dog because in my trian of thought i would be harmful. However and alternative might work. Since mange is a mite and it depends on oxygen to survive a coating of vasilene left on for a few hour may help smoother the mites,as might a coating of olive oil left on for a few hours,and that wouldnt hurt him,if he licks it might even provide him with some extra nutrients. I dont know how long it will be before you can bath him and i would wait untill he can be bathed for my next natural remedy,just cause you do not want him to lick at it.Tea tree oil,can be bought at many pharmacys,and walmarts. Mix a teaspoon with about 1/3 cup of water and use a spay bottle to spay it on him. leave it on for about 10 minutes and then bath him. Tea tree oil spells bad but it has aniceptic properties,and antimicobial properties. I will help kill mange mite,as well as heal any wounds he has,as well as provide some relieve from his painful skin.Dont get it in his eyes or let him lick it. It will make him sick if injested,and burn his eyes. It stings a little when you but it onjust like most aniseptic do but does provide pain relief. I personaly use tea tree oil for everything. in the summer i put a dab on the back of pasadenas neck befor I take her out to discourage fleas, anytime a kid has a scapped knee or the hubby has cut his finger i dab it with the oil, I have used it to treat headlice my kids have drug home from the public schools.My sister buys bottles olive oil to treat he kids in the spring and fall and her kids miss school and are itching and mine are treated and picked and back off to school next day. I have even used a very very watered down version to spay on a cockatoo that was a horid plucker due to some bacterial infections he had due to negelect from a previouse owner. i would not recomend it on birds unless you know what your doing injestion can cause illness. Good luck with your little guy. I will keep you both in my prayers. --- In Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com, Pam Dean <muffinsbabies@...> wrote: > > Ok, now I am itching everywhere ...yucky...I assume so on the ears cause the > tips are all crusty and discolored inside. I washed him with a washcloth > today and skin was falling off his ears. Don't so much like the buggy > thingies, gf.. > > > > ________________________________ > From: Peggy & The Girls <phrpg5@...> > To: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 7:45 PM > Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Valentino -Mange Treatments > > >  > I forgot to mention that Ivemectin is a natural insecticide, which a lot of > the natural management programs recommend, but it too can have serious side > effects. It comes from a flower and a lot of the flea brands use it. Many > years ago, when I worked managing the Bird Department in a pet shop, a > shipment of Parakeets and English Buddies came in with mites. Those things > are a horror, and get into every single crevice of a cage and toy and even > hide in the birds ears! Anyway, our Vet recommended spraying down the > flight cage with a natural insecticide that had Ivemectin in it, made > especially for birds.  We removed the birds, but in the flight cage that > was next to it which had a solid wall to divide the flights, we didn't remove > the Tiels and just as we started to spray the empty flight, the Tiels on the > other side immediately started to scream and thrash around and convulse and > died one after the other. It was more then horrible to watch and there > wasn't a thing that we could do about it. The Vet was shocked, and I will > never, ever use any product with Ivemectin in it for any reason! >  > Which reminds me, once you start to bath and give him whatever treatment you > decide on, I would completely wash down and disinfect the area, including > blankets, beds and toys, with boiling water, before I put him back in. You > are dealing with a live mite bug and although those scabs look like scabs to > the naked eye it is really hundreds of micro size mites huddled together. > Since the dead dry skin will fall off of him and again is contaminated with > them, it will fall on his blankets and toys etc. You may be better off just > keeping a small smooth type of blanket and rubber toys with him which will be > a lot easier to clean on a daily bases then a dog bed which has crevices in > the seams. Also use stainless steel bowls that don't have a lip at the top, > because the mites can hide under the lip. All mites are more active at > night, and hide during sunlight, whether it be on an object or under the dogs > skin, or under a birds feathers. >  > Does he have ear mite too? >  >  >  >  >  >  >  > -------Original Message------- >  > From: Peggy & The Girls > Date: 2/16/2012 7:18:05 PM > To: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Valentino -Mange Treatments >  > Ahhh Pam....he sounds wonderful! He even sounds so much better today, more > positive which is a good thing. God knew that he was placing him in the > right home. Can't wait until he is well enough to be placed in the pack, and > then hear all about him.  BTW, are your other pups going nuts and wanting to > meet him? >  >  >  >  >  > -------Original Message------- >  > From: Pam Dean > Date: 2/16/2012 7:11:33 PM > To: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Valentino -Mange Treatments >   > Yes the vet did three different skin scrapings. He has a yeast infection > and generalized demodectic mange..of long standing. It affects his face, > throat, legs and belly.I am going to go out tomorrow and get a more natural > food. They had him on science diet puppy and I can do better than that..But > he is eating and drinking well and is perkier today. Tomorrow I start his > baths..special shampoo and he is on antibiotics so the sores don't turn into > staph. I am researching some natural mange treatments..something to try > before they dump the poisons on him..I am keeping him isolated in the other > side of the house..a little lonely but he doesn't need the stress of dealing > with the other dogs..he needs sleep..I will get some Lipiderm and start him > on that. > > He is such a loving little guy..he curled up on my chest and gave me many > kisses tonight..and he does this little sad whimper thing when I put him back > in his playpen. Starved for love that one is..And we had a mother/son talk > about being strong and each one doing our part to get him back to health and > said a prayer together lol..And he loves hubby. When he walks into the room > his tail goes crazy and he grabs his hand to give him hand kisses..So sweet.. > > > > ________________________________ > From: Peggy & The Girls <phrpg5@...> > To: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 6:50 PM > Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Valentino -Mange Treatments > > >  > Hi Pam! >  > Actually I thought he looked a lot better then you previously posted. He is > thin, but not starved. He has a tenderness about him, which is so cute! > I would suggest a good natural kibble with a high protein and fat content for > a month or so, just to get the weight on him and build up his immunity > system. Also, strongly recommend Lipiderm (omega fatty acids) in his > food once per day. You know he must be a strong little fellow to have > survived all that has been done to him so far, so personally.......I have a > good feeling about him and think that he will bounce right back within a > couple of months. He does have a long way to go for that.  Besides, too > many good prayers have been said by so many of us in agreement and I believe > that God has been answering these prayers and will continue to do so.....have > faith my friend and believe with no doubt that God can and does perform > miracles. That good positive energy will be picked up by Valentino and that > will help him to keep on fighting. >  > It's good to know that this is not contagious to other dogs (unless their > immune system is weak) or people......but If it were me, I would still keep > him quarantined until you see a noticeable difference that the mange is > finally disappearing on him. >  > Here's what I found on the subject, and it does state that there is a special > shampoo that can be used to help him, as well as other treatments once his > immune system is built up. Which type of demodectic mange did the Vet say > he has?? Did he do a skin scrapping to be positive that he diagnosed it > properly?? Only a microscope can make a positive ID of which type of mites he > has. >  > This is well worth the reading! >  > http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/mange-dogs-canine-scabies    (I removed any > info on scaroptic mange, since he doesn't have that) >  > Mange is a skin disease caused by several species of tiny mites, common > external parasites found in companion canines. Some mange mites are normal > residents of your dog’s skin and hair follicles, while others are not. All > mites can cause mild to severe skin infections if they proliferate. > > > What Causes Mange in Dogs? > All dogs raised normally by their mothers possess demodectic mange mites > (Demodex canis), which are transferred from mother to pup via cuddling during > the first few days of life. Most dogs live in harmony with their mites, never > suffering any consequences. > > There are three types of demodectic mange that affect canines. (Scroll Below > for better explanation) Localized cases occur when these mites proliferate > in one or two small, confined areas. This results in isolated scaly bald > patches-usually on the dog's face-creating a polka-dot appearance. Localized > demodicosis is considered a common ailment of puppyhood, and approximately > 90% of cases resolve with no treatment of any kind. > > Generalized demodectic mange, in contrast, affects larger areas of skin or a > dog’s entire body. Secondary bacterial infections make this a very itchy > and often smelly skin disease. This form of mange could also be a sign of a > compromised immune system, hereditary problem, endocrine problem or other > underlying health issue. Treatment depends on the age at which the dog > developed the disease. > > One of the most resistant forms of mange, demodectic pododermatitis is > confined to the foot and accompanied by bacterial infections. Deep biopsies > are often required to locate these mites and make a proper diagnosis. > > Is Demodectic Mange Contagious? > Current thinking is that Demodex mites can be transferred from one dog to > another-but as long as the dog is healthy, the mites simply add to the dog's > natural mite population and no skin disease results. Isolation of dogs with > even the most severe cases is still felt to be unnecessary-though in rare > circumstances, contagion is possible. While there are still different > theories about dog-to-dog transmission of Demodex mites, it is accepted that > mites cannot be transmitted to humans or to cats. > What Are the General Symptoms of Mange in Dogs? > The symptoms of mange depend on which type of mite is present. Demodectic > mange tends to cause hair loss, bald spots, scabbing and sores. Secondary > bacterial infections can make demodectic mange an itchy and uncomfortable > disease. > > .What Should I Do If I Think My Dog Has Mange? > Take your dog to a veterinarian, who will perform a physical exam, analyze > skin scrapings and try to confirm the presence of mange mites with a > microscope. It can be difficult to identify mange mites if they’re buried > deep in a dog’s skin, so your vet may rely on clinical signs or your > pet’s history to make a final diagnosis. > > > Are Certain Dogs Prone to Mange? > *  Puppies and dogs less than 18 months old are especially prone to > developing localizeddemodectic mange, which often clears up on its own. > * Generalized demodectic mange, the more serious, pervasive kind, can > be hereditary in dogs. Old English sheepdogs and shar peis are prone to a > severe form of demodectic mange affecting the feet. Older dogs who have an > underlying illness may also be more prone.How Is Mange Treated? > Depending on the type of mange and the breed of your dog, medication may be > given orally or applied topically, by injection, or via shampoo and dip. > > Medications and managing physiological stress are essential when treating > demodectic mange. Some infected dogs may also require special treatment-such > as medicated shampoos-for secondary skin infections. > > Please note, many skin treatments can be toxic to dogs and should not be > repeated frequently, so check with your vet before beginning any treatment > program for mange. > > Is There a Cure for Mange? > Younger dogs often recover fully from mange, but adult dogs often require > long-term therapy to control the disease. Dogs with demodectic mange should > not be bred, as this condition is thought to be hereditary. > > Treatment, no matter which option is chosen, should be accompanied by skin > scrapes every two weeks. After two consecutive scrapes are negative, > medication is discontinued, but a final scrape should be performed one month > after treatment to ensure there isn’t a recurrence. > > > How Can I Prevent a Recurrence of Mange? > * If you suspect a neighbor’s dog may be infected, keep your pets > away to keep the disease at bay. > * Bring your dog to the vet periodically as recommended for recheck > skin scrapes to ensure the mites have been eradicated. > __________________________________________________________ > http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/demodectic-mange-dogs >  > Demodectic Mange in Dogs > Demodectic mange is caused by a tiny mite, Demodex canis, too small to be > seen with the naked eye. Nearly all dogs acquire mange mites from their > mother during the first few days of life. These mites are considered normal > skin fauna when present in small numbers. They produce disease only when an > abnormal immune system allows their numbers to get out of control. This > occurs primarily in puppies and in adult dogs with lowered immunity. A high > incidence of mange in certain bloodlines suggests that some purebred dogs are > born with an inherited immune susceptibility. > Demodectic mange occurs in localized and generalized forms. The diagnosis is > made by taking multiple skin scrapings and looking for the mites. Demodectic > mites are usually easy to find. > Localized Demodectic Mange > This disease occurs in dogs under 1 year of age. The appearance of the skin > is similar to that of ringworm. The principal sign is thinning hair around > the eyelids, lips, and corners of the mouth, and occasionally on the trunk, > the legs, and the feet. The thinning progresses to patches of ragged hair > loss about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. In some cases the skin becomes red, > scaly, and infected. > Localized mange usually heals spontaneously in six to eight weeks, but may > wax and wane for several months. If more than five patches are present, the > disease could be progressing to the generalized form. This occurs in > approximately 10 percent of cases. > Treatment: A topical ointment containing either benzoyl peroxide gel (OxyDex > or Pyoben), or a mild topical preparation used to treat ear mites can be > massaged into affected areas once a day. This may shorten the course of the > disease. The medication should be rubbed with the lay of the hair to minimize > further hair loss. Treatment may cause the area to look worse for the first > two to three weeks. > There is no evidence that treating localized mange prevents the disease from > becoming generalized. The dog should be checked again in four weeks. > Generalized Demodectic Mange > Dogs with the generalized disease develop patches of hair loss on the head, > legs, and trunk. These patches coalesce to form large areas of hair loss. The > hair follicles become plugged with mites and skin scales. The skin breaks > down to form sores, crusts, and draining tracts, presenting a most disabling > problem. Some cases are a continuation of localized mange; others develop > spontaneously in older dogs. > When generalized demodectic mange develops in dogs under 1 year of age, there > is a 30 to 50 percent chance that the puppy will recover spontaneously. It is > uncertain whether medical treatment accelerates this recovery. > In dogs older than 1 year, a spontaneous cure is unlikely but the outlook for > improvement with medical treatment has increased dramatically in recent > decades. Most dogs can be cured with intense therapy. Most of the remaining > cases can be controlled if the owner is willing to commit the necessary time > and expense. > Treatment: Generalized demodectic mange must be treated under close > veterinary supervision. Therapy involves the use of medicated shampoos and > dips to remove surface scales and kill mites. Shave or clip hair from all > affected areas to facilitate access to the skin. > The FDA protocol involves first bathingthe dog with a medicated benzoyl > peroxide shampoo (OxyDex or Pyoben) to remove skin scales. Allow the shampoo > to remain on the dog for 10 minutes before rinsing it off. Completely dry the > dog. > Amitraz (brand name Mitaban) currently is the only miticide approved by the > FDA for use on dogs. Make up an amitraz dip by adding Mitaban to water, > according to the directions on the label. Be sure to treat the dog in a > well-ventilated area and wear rubber or plastic gloves to keep the chemical > off your skin. Sponge on the dip over a 10-minute period, allowing the > dog’s feet to soak in the rinse. Allow the dip to dry on the dog. Repeat > every two weeks, or as directed by your veterinarian. Try to keep the dog > from getting her coat and feet wet between dips. Continue this protocol for > 60 days beyond the day when skin scrapings first became negative. > Side effects of Mitaban include drowsiness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, > dizziness, and a staggering gait. Puppies are more susceptible than adults to > these effects. If such a reaction occurs, immediately remove the miticide by > thoroughly rinsing the coat and skin. > If the FDA protocol is not completely effective, your veterinarian may > suggest an alternative treatment. Oral milbemycin and ivermectin have been > used as off-label treatments, and require close cooperation between your > veterinarian and you since they are not officially approved for treating this > problem. > Secondary skin infections should be treated with antibiotics, based on > culture and sensitivity tests. Corticosteroids, often used to control severe > itching, lower the dog’s immunity to the mites and should not be used to > treat this disease. >  >  >  >  >  >  >  > ------Original Message------- >  > From: Pam Dean > Date: 2/16/2012 12:05:14 PM > To: Chihuahuas@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] (unknown) [3 Attachments] >   > Ok all. Back from the vets. Don't know all but know some. Think he is > 1-2 years old..but hard to tell exactly and weighs just under 3 lbs.. Does > not have kennel cough..heart and lungs sound good..but obviously immune > system compromised. Could have been from birth or from lack of care. Has > yeast skin infection and demodectic mange. This type of mange is heriditary > and common in some breeds like Chihuahuas if their immune system is > compromised. It is very entrenched and he has had it for a long time. > Treatment will be problematic as he is so emasciated etc. and it is in > essence a poison, which requires muliple applications and can cause vomiting > and diarrhea and lethargy. If his immune system does not come back, we will > not be able to get rid of it. He did not do blood work today..he wants to > see how he eats and drinks etc and see his progress next week. I did get a > shampoo to get his bacterial levels down and an antibiotic. He did > eat a big breakfast and drank some water, yeah, and is sleeping again which > I expect him to be doing a lot of. So we will see how the week goes, see how > the blood work goes, and then decide our course of action. He was so sweet > at the vets..wagging his tail and giving the vet tech kisses..what an angel. > Attached some pictures.. > > > > ________________________________ > >  > > >  >  >
