Sarcoptic Mange. What to look for?

tsukitsunetsukitsune
edited April 2009 in General
In Henson's last 2 weeks here (post final heartworm injection) he started to itch more than normal. Thinking it was a reaction to the injection I let him alone, no bathing, etc., for a week. He started to itch more and gnaw at his ankles so I gave him fish oil. He started to itch so hard the day before we met up with his new family that I bathed him in oatmeal shampoo and hoped for the best.

Well. His new mom brought him to the vet today, and it turns out he had a positive skin scrape for Sarcoptic Mange.

Which means what for my dogs exactly??? I gave his new home all Henson's bedding, so we're good there. I'm washing my couch cushions and rugs as I type this... while Henson and my dogs briefly interacted over the last few weeks, rarely did they stay near each other - no snuggling or anything like that. Should I have their skin scraped? What symptoms other than itching and hair loss should I watch for? Are they healthy enough to maybe ward off infection??

We have a physical scheduled for 4/29 so I hope until then they'll be fine and we'll just do the skin scrape there..
Oy.

Comments

  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited April 2009
    Hummm....well if they are due for their topical application for fleas and ticks you could switch to Revolution this time around to be on the safe side with coverage. Talk with the vet. A skin scraping may not be needed in that case.

    The bedding etc needs washed in hot water etc like you are doing. You all will probably be fine, given they are healthy....I would watch for crusting and bumps around the chin, eyes, paws and back of thighs.

    Snf
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    I'll point out that dogs with weak immune systems tend to be more susceptible to mange. Between his HW treatment and the steroids, it's not surprising that Henson came down with a secondary infection of some sort.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    So far so good.. they haven't been itching as much, I had to let some friends of mine know since we all (dogs+) went on a hiking trip and that afternoon I find out I could have given everyone mange :(

    I think it hit Henson hard for exactly that reason, Dave. He had a really compromised immune system between all his parasite issues, etc. I think he either had this all along and it just started to flare up, or he got it at the animal hospital during his stay for his final injection. When he came home from that I started to notice his itching.

    For now, I'm just watching our dogs. My arms are pretty itchy, but I think I'm hyper aware of it all now. I'm calling the vet first thing tomorrow to ask about the Revolution for one month just to be safe. My house is completely steam cleaned and every linen and bedding piece has been washed. So fun.

    Thanks for the input.
  • JessicaRabbitJessicaRabbit
    edited November -1
    Your itchy arms made me laugh a little (sorry).

    I found a tick on Piglet the other night while we were in bed. I got up, removed the tick (got the whole bastard out alive and wiggling), drowned the f*&%er in alcohol, (I HATE TICKS) and promptly got a horrible nights sleep because everything felt like a tick crawling on me.

    Heebee Jeebees SUCK.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited April 2009
    Yeah, I've definitely had some serious heebee jeebees lately!

    We're going to give them a round of Revolution this week and see what happens. They are starting to chew on their back legs a bit... :(

    p.s. This was the most comprehensive info I've found on the subject
    http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_sarcoptic_mange.html
    http://www.canismajor.com/dog/mange1.html

    ok info, but has pics: http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/mites.html

    and info on Revolution's use against sarcoptic mange:
    http://www.revolution4dogs.com/PAHimages/compliance_pdfs/US_EN_RV_compliance.pdf
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