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Need help with itchy skin!


Papillons

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Hi everyone! :)

I have an eleven week old Papillon male weighing in at a mere 3.6 pounds. He's been tested positive for Sarcoptic Mange. (I may have spelled that incorrectly.) But, not from the skin scraping. The vet scratched his ear and he "thumped" his same hindleg. Apparently this is called a penile positive exam. (?) (Might have that incorrect also.)

Anyway, he is scratching himself BALD and crazy! He's on his 9th day of antihistamines (which don't seem to be doing a darn thing.). And the vet has given him 1/2 tube of Frontline (up to 23 pounds) and a full tube of Revolution (up to 5 pounds). Supposedly, the Revolution kills this type of Mange, but may take up to two months!

Two Months!? My baby is going to be a Chinese Crested before it's through. lol (No offense to those Crested pups! They are sure adorable, but my Pap's supposed to have his hair.) :wink:

Does anyone know of [b]ANYTHING[/b] that is safe to put on his skin where he is itching? It has to be something that's not going to make him ill if he licks it. (Which he does constantly on his "sites".)

[i]Oatmeal baths[/i] maybe? Has anyone had any luck with these? And how long did it help?

I've tried cool/cold baths but he hates to be cold and I feel cruel doing it. It didn't even help for very long. :(

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. :D My poor pup is crying and depressed.

-Colleen and Colby - "The Hairless Pap"

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Oh Pap! I'm so sorry! :cry:

I don't know any products that might help, but I do have comfort! My Rowie is suffering from, ahem, nakedness too! :lol: We needed to clip her thick, beautiful, silky fur to get all the ticks off her! :x (She has a tick infection). So I know what you mean about "naked" dogs! :lol:

Good Luck! I'll search some things up!

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[quote name='Michele']what about benedryl.....it won't hurt the dog if you give him a little bit...[/quote]

Thanks Rowie and Michele for the replies! I'm sorry your Rowie's a naked pup too. lol Poor thing.

Michele- Benedryl? Sounds lovely to me! But, how much do I administer to a less than 4 pound pup? Will it counteract with his antihistamines he's already on? :(

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:-?

First thing I would do is to get an actual skin scrap done by a different vet. Sarcoptic mange is not very easy to diagnose and I would question why your vet is using antihistamines and revolution for treatment, Sarcoptic mange is usually treated with [b]shampoo[/b], and through sterilization of the pups living quarters.

I wouldn't advise you give your pup benadryl since he already on an antihistamine. A new vet with a positive diagnosis will be able to help with the proper treatment methods.

I'm not sure what the formula for a antihistamine is but the formula for tylenol is 1/10th of 1cc for every lb of body weight. I always use the children's formulas since they are milder on the stomach and the pups love the grape flavor.

That would put your baby at 4/10th cc. or 4/10th mg.

Good luck

:angel:

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Thanks everyone for your help and concern :)

Colby (The puppy) has been seen by 3 vets. 2 out of 3 agree on Sarcoptic Mange and all of the tests were done by Skin Scraping. (The 3rd vet said it was just normal puppy itch. ?!?!) All the results of Skin Scraping came back negative. Apparently he "looks" like he has Sarcoptic Mange and when they scratched his ear (too rougly to my desire) he "thumped" his same back leg which is a test they sometimes do when the Skin Scraping is inconclusive.

The Antihistamines were just supposed to control the itching and discomfort while the Revolution worked on the Mange. I read on the back of the Revolution and it said it does treat Mange.

Rosebud, you said a shampoo treats this type of Mange? What is it called, if you don't mind me asking. And how fast do the results appear? Papillons are known for occasionally not growing back in their hair when they itch too much or the hair follicle is damaged. So, you can see my concern! :o

I think I'm going to give the Revolution another week to [i] kick in [/i] and then start searching for other methods. I'm at a loss of what else I can do. :( :cry:

Thanks again! :D

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I feel so sorry for you and Colby. :( :( :(

My Rosie has just come through a serious bout of itching.

She has thryoid trouble and I thought she was trying to itch her bottom but couldn't reach it, but it seems she was trying to get at her stomach. When I looked it was very red and there were red pimples here and there, these also went on to the insides of her thighs. She would not leave it alone.

I bathed her tummy and inner thighs three times a day, she got so used to it that when she saw the bucket she got down on the floor ready. Oh it must of soothed her and I would of done it 100 times a day if it gave her some relief.

First of all I wet her tummy using cotton wool pads or balls, then I used Tee Tree Oil Skin Wash, lathered it up and gave it all a good clean next I thoroughly rinsed it off then dried it using a clean towel, then applied Oatmeal Skin Cream to all the affected area. I'm not sure if it was a reaction to the tablets she's on for her thyroid. Anyway I am still doing it once a day even though it has now cleared up, although her hair hasn't grown back yet on her tummy and thighs, also her bottom.

English Setters are renowned for skin trouble so I will be constantly alert in future. Luckily I've been seeing to my mum's ulcerated legs for a long time so had plenty of experience with skin cleansing etc. By the way I also tried E45 Itch Relief and Savlon Antiseptic Cream.

[color=red][size=6]GOOD LUCK [/size][/color]:D AND I HOPE COLBY GETS SOME RELIEF SOON AS NOTHING IS WORSE THAN ITCHING ALL THE TIME :( :(

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Everyone has suggested very good solutions and I hope some of them will help your poor pup. :( A couple months ago my malamute mix had an awful rash on her belly, and I gave her an oatmeal bath. It did help. Of course, all dogs are different, but U might just want to try it out and see how it goes.

I send lots of hugs and kisses to your poor itchy pup! :( Keep us updated and GOODLUCK! :wink:

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:-?

I'm really disappointed in your vets not educating you on this parasite. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to people, it's usually called Scabes when it affects humans.

From what I am reading on the pet health web-sites Revolution has not been officially recognized to treat mange. I have given you a few links about this form of mange.

[url]http://www.vetmedcenter.com/Consumer/display.asp?fn=P-MR-M-Pa_5-sarcoptesso1XX.xml%20&dt=A[/url]

[url]http://www.canismajor.com/dog/mange1.html[/url]

[url]http://www.vetcentric.com/userportal/printerFriendly.cfm?OBJECT=50&ArticleType=EncycIllness[/url]

Here's a link to a supplier, you will want to look into the Chlorhexiderm dips and shampoos along with the Paramite Dip. I am not familiar with this company but there web-site seemed to have the best options in dips and shampoos. Anyways that should give you a start on what your poor pup is dealing with and the best way for you to treat her.

[url]http://www.lockepet.net/itmidx8.htm[/url]
Hope this helps.

:angel:

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Thanks everyone for your support and advice! I (and Colby) really appreciate it!

Rosebud - the links you posted are wonderful and educational.

I was aware that Sarcoptic Mange was *shudder* *gag* Scabies. :o But, I wasn't aware it was a type people could contract. And to think this boy's been sleeping on my pillow! :wink: (That's okay, I still love him, scabies and all!)

I'm going to take him to a Toy Dog specialist nearby and present what you've so kindly found for me and see what they say.

A millon thankyou's to everyone! :D

-Colleen

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Ohh... I just found something on one of the sites that Rosebud linked:

"The newest treatment for canine sarcoptic mange is selamectin, manufactured by Pfizer in the United States as [b]Revolution[/b]. This topical parasiticide is effective in treating a number of different parasitic infestations in dogs and cats. For dogs with scabies, the treatment is applied topically as a single dose. Sometimes a second application is administered thirty days later."

So, hopefully the Revolution we applied 4 days or so ago will start working soon. :)

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:-?

Scabes in humans is a completely different parasite, however Sarcoptic mange and Demodic mange are both contagious to humans and are generally still called Scabes.

I didn't do a through research into it but came across several sites that did state that Revolution is being used to treat mange but has not been officially recognized to treat it. It's possibly that the information I found that stated that was old and Revolution has since been recognized. I would suggest consulting with the vet or specialist for conformation on it.

Glad I could help.

:angel:

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[quote]Can I get Sarcoptes from my pet?

Yes, although when humans get Sarcoptes scabei from animals, the disease is generally self-limiting, causing only temporary itching. There is a human race of Sarcoptes, which is transmitted from person to person. This human race of sarcoptic mite causes a rash on the wrists, elbows, or between the fingers. In infants, the rash may appear on the head, neck, or body
[/quote]

Here is another article for you to read up on Scarcoptic Mange...

[url]http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1589&articleid=764h[/url]

I also wanted to mention there is another type of mange called Demodectic Mange which is generally called Puppy Mange....these mites of various species live on the bodies of virtually every adult dog and most human beings. It is generally a disease of young dogs that have inadequate or poorly developed Immune systems or older dogs suffering from depressed immune systems.
Once Demodectic mange is suspected, it can usually be confirmed by a skin scraping or biopsy, in which case, the mites can be seen with the aid of a microscope. They are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The adults appear as tiny, alligator-like mites. Remember that these mites are present in every dog, so by themselves, they do not constitute a diagnosis of mange. The mite must be coupled with the lesions for a diagnosis of mange to be made....with the skin scraping they would have been able to rule this mite out...and where Sarcoptes borrows into the skin of your dog/puppy they are generally harder or next to impossibe to diagnose.

[quote]From what I am reading on the pet health web-sites Revolution has not been officially recognized to treat mange. I have given you a few links about this form of mange[/quote]
[b]Quote by Rosebud[/b]


Recently, a new product containing selamectin (Revolution) was released on the market. This product is a topical solution that is applied once a month and provides heartworm prevention, flea control, some tick protection and protection against Sarcoptic mange. I expect this product will be widely used in areas where Sarcoptic mange is a problem

[b]Good Luck!!![/b]

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Guest Anonymous

I, too, have a puppy with the same type of mange your puppy has been diagnosed with. In our case, her skin scrape was positive. We found her on the side of a deserted dirt rode immediately after she had been tossed out by some inhumane idiot in a truck that had just driven off. She was in bad shape skin wise with scabs everywhere and very thin to no hair in places. Her skin was also very wrinkled. Anyway, our vet did inform us it was contagious to humans, but I told them I was washing up regularly after handling her and keeping her separate from our main living areas and where our cats are. They treated the puppy with Revolution, and while she is still itching, it is way less than before, and her hair is starting to grow back. She doesn't whine when scratching anymore. She was treated on Thursday and today is Sunday. We also used a medicated anti-itch bath before the revolution treatment, but that didn't seem to help much except to clean off some of the scabby flakes.

Good luck with your pup's recovery!

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I have had trouble with demodex mange she is ok now took 6 months to get it under controle. The vet said if it was sarcoptic it would be easier to treat. this is from a book

SARCOPTES

[color=blue]signs--[/color]This produces a different sort of mange. As a surface or subsurface feeder, this mite causes much more itching, and skin crusting with thickening and redness. If left untreated there is hair loss and eventual black pigmentation of the bare areas. Young animals seem most susceptible and can become hairless. scratching almost non-stop. multiple skin scrapings may have to be taken before the mites are found

[color=blue]treadment[/color]--Treatment with anti-parasitic washes produces relief in a few days once the sarcoptes mites are killed. Repeat baths are necessary to prevent re-infection. Both sorts of mange can be spread by direct contact, but sarcoptic mange is the most contagious and all in-contact animals should be treated. The mite can also cause a skin irritation in humans that have been in close contact, often on bare arms

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Homeontheashley - I'm sorry your puppy has mange also! You seem to have seen results muchhh faster than I have. While Colby isn't itching quite as much, he still goes at it. But then again, he's on Antihistamines also. So that could be what's cutting down on the itching too. Good luck with your pup! :D

As for it being contagious... I've had Colby for 2 weeks. I've never once had a rash nor has anyone else in my family. (Nor the dog or 5 cats. lol) No itching. Nothing. So, I would argue with it being contagious to humans. Or maybe we just got lucky! 8) He even sleeps in my bed. Not anything so far. (I say this while knocking on wood!) :wink:

Again, thanks everyone for your help and support!

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[quote]Rosebud, I thought demodectic mange was the non-human contagious type.... at least that's what I've always been told. We've had several dogs come through here with it, and neither us people nor our dogs have ever had any problems[/quote]
[b]Quote by gooeydog[/b]

I hate to go answering questions not directed my way...but...gooeydog you are right.

The various species of Demodex mites tend to infest only one species of host animal, i.e., Demodex canis infests dogs, Demodex bovis infests cattle, and Demodex folliculorum infests humans.
these mites of [b]various species [/b]live on the bodies of virtually every adult dog and most human beings....

Papillons, I wish you the best of luck and follow you Vets orders and you should start to see results.

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gooeydog, another thing demodex canis mite is only spread by direct contact by mother to offspring...the pups or dogs which develop full blown Demodectic mange usually have poor immune systems...and older dogs which develop Demodectic mange usually have repressed immune systems...these mites are not spread by dirty kennels or dirty living quarters...this mite cannot survive off the host...the mites cannot be picked up by bedding which an infected pup was using.

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Guest Anonymous

Papillons:
The following site states that humans have a 30% chance of catching sarcoptic mange. So hopefully you'll stay in the 70% category!

[url]http://familyfun.go.com/raisingkids/learn/activities/expert/petvetscabies/[/url]

Our puppy still does scratch frequently, but I do believe the Revolution is helping given that the hair is thickening in the bare spots, and she is definitely much happier. Also, the fact she doesn't whine anymore when scratching is a good sign.

One thing I forgot to mention is that prior to getting the Revolution treatment, my husband brushed the puppy to remove as much of the dry flakes as possible after we bathed it with the medicated antibacterial shampoo. I don't know if this helped make her improvement go more quickly or not. I realize you can't bathe your puppy right now, but you might ask the vet how soon you can safely bathe it and not risk reducing the effectiveness of the Revolution.

Best of luck!

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[quote name='Cassie'][quote]Can I get Sarcoptes from my pet?

Yes, although when humans get Sarcoptes scabei from animals, the disease is generally self-limiting, causing only temporary itching. There is a human race of Sarcoptes, which is transmitted from person to person. This human race of sarcoptic mite causes a rash on the wrists, elbows, or between the fingers. In infants, the rash may appear on the head, neck, or body
[/quote]
I also wanted to mention there is another type of mange called Demodectic Mange which is generally called Puppy Mange....[color=red]these mites of various species live on the bodies of virtually every adult dog and most human beings. [/color]It is generally a disease of young dogs that have inadequate or poorly developed Immune systems or older dogs suffering from depressed immune systems.
Once Demodectic mange is suspected, it can usually be confirmed by a skin scraping or biopsy, in which case, the mites can be seen with the aid of a microscope. They are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The adults appear as tiny, alligator-like mites. Remember that these mites are present in every dog, so by themselves, they do not constitute a diagnosis of mange. The mite must be coupled with the lesions for a diagnosis of mange to be made....with the skin scraping they would have been able to rule this mite out...and where Sarcoptes borrows into the skin of your dog/puppy they are generally harder or next to impossibe to diagnose.

[quote]From what I am reading on the pet health web-sites Revolution has not been officially recognized to treat mange. I have given you a few links about this form of mange[/quote]
[b]Quote by Rosebud[/b]


Recently, [color=red]a new product containing selamectin (Revolution) [/color]was released on the market. This product is a topical solution that is applied once a month and provides heartworm prevention, flea control, some tick protection and protection against Sarcoptic mange. I expect this product will be widely used in areas where Sarcoptic mange is a problem

[b]Good Luck!!![/b][/quote]

Also to Gooeydog:
Demodectic mange is and is not contagious to humans, it is meerly an issue of the immune system. You should still be concerned for elderly, young children and immune suppresed individuals regardless of the type of mange involved.

On Revolution:
That's what I read and was pointing out that the sites I found said it hasn't been officially approved for the treatment of mange but I wasn't sure how old that info was.

:angel:

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  • 1 year later...
Guest Anonymous

[color=black][b] Hi,
I have a 12 year old German shepard that i recently got a year ago that was not being takin care of and we offerd to take him. We took him to the vet and they said he had Hip displaisia and other types of illnesses a list of so many things i cannot even name. But scabes were not one of them. We just moved to the country with about 6 acres the best time of his life i might add and he has a big amount of fur loss and ichyness and i am not sure that it is scabes but i was wondering if anyone new how to get rid of it if it was scabes? Also if there was a site i might need to got to that will have some pics? Or if anyone can send me some pics? If any one can send me any info about scabes i would much appreciate it and so would my great friend Duke he is old but i want him to make up for the life he never had and scabes is preventting that from happening! Thank You all for taking time to read i appreciate it and i am sure my good friend Duke does too! :cry:

thank you ,
sweetnsour6502[/b][/color]

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  • 4 weeks later...

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