Help with mange on a dog?

[twuoo]

Hey guys and gals....

I rescued a dog that was going to be killed.

I've noticed lately that she is scratching very badly and on the tips of her ears, loosing fur and the skin is thickened and lumpy.

I'm suspecting it's mange.

When I call up a vet, they tell me it requires such and such treatment and could cost $400 or more.

Well, I just don't have that kind of money right now.

Have any of you had past experience with mange and how could I deal with it more cost effectively???

I've read that ivermectin is used. One of the websites I use sells it for horses, but not for dogs. It's only around $5.00 for a syringe enough to treat a 1250 pound horse!

But nothing for a small dog....???

So any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[gymbofreak]

Ewwwwwwww...

[ichb]

You can only get ivermectin over the counter in the horse size, you would just adjust the dose accordingly. A little more research on the internet should help you find out how much. I recently had a problem with mites on my ratties and that was one of the treatments, they recommended about the size of a grain of rice.

There are other things to be cautious of, if you decide to go with ivermectin treatment do not squirt it all out of the tube and mix it, if it is watery when you first open it just squeeze out enough until the consistency is normal and throw the first amount away. Then squirt each dose out of the tube onto your finger or something.

There are some sprays and shampoos sold at pet stores that deal with mites and lice.

Also, continuiously wash bedding in hot water with bleach or 1 cup vinegar and always wash your hands after handling that dog.

Feel free to pm me or use my yahoo im if you want more help.

I am not a vet and this should not be construed as medical advice.

[brokeinmichigan]

Our rescue dog also came with mange...ick. Easy trip to the vet and a small jar of Goodwinol...cleared it up in short order for about $80. Call your vet and ask about it.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Twuoo, I'm not a vet either, but $400 for mange seems insane to me.

I agree with the ivermectin; just because you get a horse's dose doesn't mean that you can't dial it down for your dog. Ivermectin is ivermectin; there's no different mix for different species or anything like that. It's a matter of finding the right dose. Be prepared to weigh your dog and convert pounds into kilos *before* ordering, because the dosage will probably be noted in millileters per KILO of your dogs weight, as opposed to anything per pound. If you miss that, you could kill your pet, so be sure to weigh carefully and doublecheck your dosage and conversion! I don't know what Goodwinol is, but that might be safer to start with if you're not comfortable with dosing or injecting your dog with ivermectin.

Also, if ivermectin doesn't work for you, don't keep giving the ivermectin; take your pet to a veterinary school or university (if you have one close) where they can actually test the skin and hair for the causative factor. You don't have to buy a treatment there, but if the ivermectin doesn't work you'll want to know what the problem is before you continue.

Be aware that there are other remedies that work very well even for resistant mange. I had a friend who cured a very bad resistant case with some bizarre mix of bacon grease and other stuff thrown in; I can't remember what it was, but between the grease and the other stuff it had the effect of smothering the mites as well as keeping the ingredient on for days. And it worked! I can't remember what she used but it was dirt cheap, along the lines of vinegar or some other household thing. So you might want to google search for that as well, if you get into a spot where you know it's mange but nothing you can afford is working. Good luck!!!

Oh, and God bless you for saving a dog! You have my heartfelt appreciation, Twuoo!

[ichb]

If you need help with the conversion let me know. I got most of the way through vet tech school and med conversions are what we did a lot of.

[Minnymouth]

Please do NOT rub the dog down in motor oil. The new synthetics in motor oil now are toxic and will penetrate the dogs skin and they will absorb it.

Years ago, old folks used old "used motor oil"..... but now its very dangerous too.

So beware.

Hope you find something soon to help....... vets can be so expensive....... and many can't afford the expense, but would love to help an animal in need.

Yes, find you an animal hospital or vet school that might offer to help you with tests, and possible meds....

[Bobby'sGirl]

Some fish oil capsules

cheap, generic ones, added to food dish will help cut down inflammation in the skin and let the topical treatments work better and prevent some of the scratching that would lead to secondary infections. I donate a huge bottle of 1000 pills monthly to our shelter per the request list from my vet of items needed to help out. My mutts get their diets supplemented when my budget is too tight to buy the pricier foods with omega-3 added. If they were "wild" and taking down game, or scavenging off carcasses, those prey critters would have higher omega-3 levels from browsing vegetation than what is fed to cattle, poultry, etc, that wind up in even the "real meat" brands we feed our pets. And corn and wheat as major source of protein in cheaper brands has zilch...

And now about human diet habits in America, ahem...that is for another day's lecture.

[twuoo]

I took my dog into the vet today. He gave her a cortisone shot, ear drops for an ear infection and 6 month supply of heartguard.

Cost me $130... And I don't have a job just yet....sucks

[One Half Full]

If they were "wild" and taking down game, or scavenging off carcasses, those prey critters would have higher omega-3 levels from browsing vegetation than what is fed to cattle, poultry, etc, that wind up in even the "real meat" brands we feed our pets. And corn and wheat as major source of protein in cheaper brands has zilch...

Actually, I totally agree with your assessment. I feel serious about saying that the best food for pets is live rodents raised in cages in the backyard (especially for cats). Unfortunately they play with their food and leave little heads and paws around. It is a cheap, renewable source of food. and you dont need to buy but a few breeding pairs (I guess rabbits would be good, but they are cute and scream when someone tries to eat them whole --not good for the garden party ambience) Mice require less than dogs by way of feed. Historically, small dogs, and cats, and even bigger dogs were thrown raw scraps from the kitchen, and loaded up on protein "waste" from butchering. Modern food as we know it was only invented in the 1920's, and I am sure it was not intended for full time food. Now, we are told that "people food is no good for dogs." That is a load of bunk. People food is food food. I dont get that. Oh well, twinkies are not good for dogs, maybe, but real whole foods are. Whole vegetables and meat and some (but not a lot of grain) is very good for dogs and cats. I do feed mine canned, but my preference would be to feed them raw (the mice). I've fed my IG raw chicken wings and necks and though it is scary to watch, she eats them bones and all, and I've never seen a bone puncturing her gut. She loves them and I throw her a raw wing whenever I can. I tried raw fish but they wont touch them. Some people even say: you can't mix raw with cooked or kibble. There is a fallacy in that too. It all goes in a stew of heavy duty stomach acid that can chew through raw bone. Some things cant be digested by dogs but neither can they be digested by humans. Cooking in advance will release the proteins (lyse or pop) the cell walls, so they are made edible. Even just sprouting seeds makes them edible because it changes the cell configuration. Oh well-- I guess it is just advertising.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Please do NOT rub the dog down in motor oil. The new synthetics in motor oil now are toxic and will penetrate the dogs skin and they will absorb it.

Years ago, old folks used old "used motor oil"..... but now its very dangerous too.

So beware....

Ugggh, good Lord, no motor oil!!!! 100% agreed!

No, my friend used *bacon grease* and some other stuff, I honestly don't recall, but NOTHING toxic like motor oil. Dog stank to high heaven too, and had to stay in the garage for a week, but it washed right out if necessary. I'm so sorry I can't remember the details...

[morallyBR2]

If it's parasite mange, you can just get him a paraguard dip. Stinks like shit but 2 treatments and he is good to go. Probally about 30 bucks at most to have it done.