Should I be nervous about this?

Question

This is going to be long but if you have the time and have had a problem with this, are familiar with problems like this on your dogs or from working around dogs that do have this problem, please read and answer.
I have a 2 year old, 5 1/2 pound Chihuahua named Scooby. He was recently diagnosed with Generalized Demondetic Mange. He's been to the vet and is already under a vets care for this. He has spots covering his entire left side. The right side and the rest of his body have No Spots at all. None of my other Chihuahuas are showing any signs at all of having any kind of mange. Yesterday, I took him to the vet again, the vet did a second skin scraping, (the first skin scraping Scooby had done a few days ago, showed nothing but the second one showed Mites. Yesterday, the vet also gave him a Medicated Bath and some Cortisone for the swelling and the itching. Scooby became very drowsy and slept most of the day and through the night, only getting up to go to the bathroom in the backyard under my supervision and just started to come out of it earlier this afternoon. I was told that was normal for a dog to be drowsy and he's acting like his normal feisty self again now.Tomorrow (Thursday) morning, my vet wants me to bring Scooby in for a Dip, I think he is using a product called Mitaban (Amitraz) Dip. The vet told me that it's extremely Toxic but very effective and that because Scooby is so small, he cannot use it full strength and will Dilute the dip. He has to have 4 treatments, I believe the vet said around 2 weeks apart for each treatment. He said if I don't have this done, that it will spread throughout his entire body and he doesn't believe any other treatment other than this, will help Scooby get rid of the Demondetic Mange. I don't want to do. Is this Dip safe enough? I have a great vet who has helped my dogs in more ways than one and I trust him, but because this Dip is so powerful, I'm terrified that Scooby will not react to it well and that he may have future problems, that this Dip may cause. I'm probably being paranoid, but I'd rather be paranoid, than not concerned. Does anyone who has used or had experience with Mitaban (Amitrax) Dip, know of any other options for treatment to avoid the dip, that I can ask my vet about tomorrow? How did the dogs that you used this dip on react to it? I asked the vet what caused this and he told me, that he thinks it's probably due to the stress that Scooby has been going through in the last few months with the 2 knee surgeries he had done. He said that Stress can be a cause of his problem. I just want to do the best and safest thing for Scooby. He's been through a more than enough already. I really want to try my best to avoid putting him through anymore trauma. The thing that scares me, is the fact that I've never owned a dog with this problem, so I am not familiar with a dog having this problem, I've never had to have any dips or anything done to any of my dogs for this problem and the thought of putting something the vet himself says is extremely Toxic on Scooby, scares me half to death, because I'm worried about how he will react to it, any long term problems and the fact that this Dip is so strong, it can keep him somewhat immobile for 3 days. That to me sounds like very powerful stuff. The vet said it has the effect of a dog just beginning to come off an Anesthetic, but the effects can last as long as 3 days. I'm taking him in early in the morning and Scooby will stay at the vet for a few hours under observation to keep an eye on any bad reactions. I pick him up in the afternoon sometime. When I take him to the vet for this Dip in the morning I will talk to him before the Dip is done, express my concerns to him and see what he says. Scooby eats Halo Spot Stew Wholesome Chicken. He doesn't eat any table food. Scooby just had 2 surgeries done recently. He had Grade 4 Luxating Patella in both knees. He had his left knee surgically repaired in September of 2012 and he had his right knee surgically repaired on March 8, 2013. I have not ever had a dog in the 48 years of owning them, with any kind of skin problems or mange. None of my other Chihuahuas have any spots, just Scooby. None of my Chihuahuas have ever had a flea problem or any kind of skin condition. For those of you that work in a vets office or have had a dog that has been dipped for Mange in Mitaban(Amitraz) and have some knowledge of this Dip, please answer. Do you think it would be safe to let the vet do the Mitaban Dip (Diluted) on him tomorrow, or do you think I should talk to the vet again about a different, safer type of treatment? What would you do if you had a tiny dog with this problem? I just want him to feel better, to stay safe and get rid of the Mange and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. Thanks!
This is Scooby!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65283194@N02/6922906032/in/photostream

Answer 1

I had a dog with mange back in 1990's so my memory is faded - but I KNOW his entire side was not infected and I also know I did NOT give him a dip. He ended up having kidney problems - and this was an underlying congenital problem that was diagnosed later.



The dog was treated by the vet - and he did recover. I know I didn't dip him - but I cannot recall exactly what I did do.



However, my point is: dogs get mange due to immune deficiency - and it is NOT a reflection on you. The fact the dog has had other problems (LP) and surgeries tells me this dog is not well - and you are correct, that putting him through this is risky.



I provide the following with some hesitation: there is a herbal remedy (lavender oil) that SOME people use for this.



http://www.ehow.com/list_6812049_home-methods-cure-mange.html



However, to my knowledge, its not without adverse affects either. And ON ITS OWN IT MAY NOT STOP THE MANGE. DO NOT USE IT WITHOUT DISCUSSING WITH A VET FIRST.



I emphasize this because your dog can succumb to mange if it goes unchecked - and this is something you have to get expert advice on.





Therefore, the best advice I can give you is to get a second opinion from a holistic vet - because no other DVM will likely give you an alternative . Holistic vets will take a broader approach which would include diet: YOur dog food of choice sounds like junk. If you want to boost the dogs immune system - convert him to a raw diet. RAW protein is easier assimilated by dogs. Get past the idea that it isn't.

There are also remedies that increase immune resistance and these are given along with everything else. Its a "shotgun" approach - multiple facets - rather than just dip the dog in poison (which is what you are doing when you agree to this dip)



All this is money - and time, and nothing is guaranteed.



I personally agree that manage dips are extremely toxic and I would personally have serious reservations about it - and would be asking for a second opinion and alternatives before I dipped that dog.

Answer 2

The problem with mange is that it is because of a weak immune system. Your dogs surgeries and stress likely attributed to the mange. So I do not know what that food is you're feeding him, but just be sure it's a high quality grain free food, and you should look into adding fish oils and perhaps google some immune boosting things for dogs. I have heard of some pretty bad reactions from these dips because the poor dogs immune system is already down. I would really google some more holistic home remedies that you can discuss with your vet, and see if you can call and get a 2nd opinion from another vet. I hope your poor Chi gets over that horrible mange!

Answer 3

Talk to your vet about your concerns, you know your vet knows your dogs and their health issues, and he knows you love your dogs a ton. I would tell him how Scooby reacted so he knows that. Maybe a smaller dose would be better but really your vet is the best one to advise you since he is so active in all your dogs life. Sending prayers your way.

Answer 4

I wish I could offer some kind of advice,experience etc. but in being honest I have never been through this with my own dogs nor do I have any knowledge on this.Having said that,I can understand your concern and nervousness as I would most definitely feel the same way.



I hope someone can come along and shed some light on this issue for you,as always my prayers are with you and Scooby.I hope he gets better soon and makes a very speedy recovery!

Answer 5

A prey model raw diet worked wonders on one of our dogs, who had really awful mange when we first adopted him.



If you google "raw diet mange," you'll find lots of specifics.



Good luck.

Answer 6

This is so sad to hear, I am not a vet or anything close to it , but I hope your doggie gets better! sounds like a lot for a small dog, Your dogs are adorable. Good luck!