Posts tagged "Horses"

1918 REMOUNT AND VETERINARY ACTIVITIES IN THE AEF – REEL III

Reel 3 -Mules and horses are examined, dipped and exercised at Mandres. Remount station buildings are constructed at Montiers and Souilly. Horses are clipped and examined for mange lesions at Coblenz, Germany Source: US National Archives

Duration : 0:8:0

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Puppy Hair Regrowth after Demodex Mange?

Our 8 month old Boxer is being treated for generalized (face & neck only) demodectic mange by oral ivermectin and antibiotics. The “elephant skin” phase is gone now, but she looks like she needs “hair club for dogs”. How long before we can expect the hair to regrow. We’re doing everything we can: Blue Buffalo dog food, suppliments, flaxseed oil, Vitamin E, etc. It’s been 2 weeks since her first treatment which was a mitaban dip followed by the ivermectin.

I have a female Dane that had red mange when I got her. My vet put her on the Ivermectin for 60 days. By the time we finished the treatment all the hair was back. (BTW, he also said to give both of my dogs Ivermectin, the same as we give our horses, every month to prevent worms.)

Learn more Demodectic Mange.


my dog might have fox mange can i catch it or my cats?

“Sarcoptic Mange – You Can Get It”

“Mange” is a non-descript term used to imply a condition caused by mites on or near the skin surface. This week we will discuss “Sarcoptic Mange” which is caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei variety canis in the dog (the “itch mite”) and Notoedres cati which is quite similar and the cause of head mange in the cat. Dogs, hogs, cattle, horses, sheep, man, etc. all have their own individual varieties of Sarcoptes mites which affect them; hence the names Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis, Sarcoptes scabiei var. bovis, Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis, etc.

“Sarcoptic Mange” the Disease
As will be described below in the life cycle of Sarcoptes scabiei, these mites like to tunnel in the upper layers of the skin. When they do so they cause the host to become sensitized and an intense inflammatory reaction occurs. This results in an aggravating itch for the infested host. The constant scratching results in hair loss and damage to the skin by self-mutilation. Although the lesions start on the thinly haired areas such as the ears, muzzle and around the eyes, if let go the condition can spread over the entire body. Serum ( the clear component of blood) seeps out of the tunnels to the surface of the skin and causes thick scabs to form. Secondary bacterial infection usually occurs causing pus to accompany the scabs. “Not a pretty picture”.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is accomplished by deep skin scraping in 12 or more affected sites. The skin must be scraped in numerous sites at the very edges of the advancing lesions. This is because the mites are usually at the head of the tunnels beneath the skin. Occasionally, Sarcoptes mites can be very difficult to retrieve and the animal is treated based on the characteristic lesions and the response to therapy.

The life cycle of Sarcoptes scabei mites
As can be seen in the image below, Sarcoptes mites spend their entire life on or in the skin. The male and female copulate on the skin surface and the male soon dies off. The female then burrows into the upper layer of skin (stratum corneum) and begins forming a honey-comb of tunnels. As she tunnels along eggs are laid that fill the tunnels. Adult mites feed on the serum (clear component of blood) that oozes into the tunnels from the surrounding irritated tissue. When the female mite completes her egg laying mission she dies at the end of the tunnel. The eggs soon hatch to form larvae and then molt to become nymphs. The larvae and nymphs also feed on serum and skin debris. When the nymph makes a final molt to become an adult they return to the skin surface where they mate and start the life-cycle over anew. Transmission from animal to animal is thought to be through direct contact. Dog and cats in close contact with an infected host are succeptible. Animals can also become infected from fomites e.g. infested pens and blankets, combs, brushes, collars and any upholstered surfaces. Young and poorly nourished animals are the most succeptible to infection.

How is Sarcoptic Mange treated?
The Pet
Sarcoptic mange is fairly easy to kill with dips (Amitraz), pour-on miticides (alcohol based Ivomec), or oral products (Milbemycin – Interceptor). The condition also may need to be treated with an antibiotic for the secondary bacterial infection and corticosteroids to decrease the intense itch and inflammation.

The Environment
Adult Sarcoptic mange mites can live for 21 days in the environment without feeding. For that reason all brushes, combs, collars, bedding, carpeting and upholstered surfaces must be sprayed with an insecticide. Household flea treatment products effectively kill the adult mites. One or two thorough applications generally destroys adults in the environment.

Can people get Sarcoptic Mange?
Yes! Ever hear of the “Seven Year Itch”? That’s another term for Sarcoptic Mange in humans. Like pets, humans have a particular variety of mites that can cause advanced ” Sarcoptic mange”. This is totally separate variety from the ones that cause “mange” in dogs and cats; however, if the variety of mange mite that affects dogs and cats gets on a human it can cause a nasty red welt just like a mosquito bite. Several of these bites can be rather troublesome. Since these varieties are not well adapted to humans, they do not produce the extensive tunnels and cause the advanced lesions and scabs over the skin surface. They just burrow in a short distance and die. This causes inflammation and the resulting welt.

http://www.dr-dan.com/sarcopt.htm


whats the easiest way to rid your dog of demodectic (red) mange?

Wish it Wasn’t Necessary to Add This

No Motor Oil

Some 30 years ago, dipping dogs with demodectic mange in motor oil was a popular home remedy. Skin exposure to motor oil can cause rashes and skin destruction in severe cases. The hydrocarbons can be absorbed through the skin and cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. If motor oil is licked off the coat, resultant vomiting can lead to aspiration of motor oil into the lungs and pneumonia. Kidney and liver damage can result from motor oil dipping.

Please: Do not dip your dog in motor oil!

Prognosis

The younger the dog, the better the chance of cure. In many cases of adult-onset demodicosis, the disease is controlled by dips and baths but cure is not always possible. Some cases can never be controlled.

Current Treatment Of Choice — Ivermectin

Ivermectin is a broad spectrum anti-parasite medication generally used for food animals and horses. In dogs and cats it is licensed for use as a heartworm preventive aand as a topical ear mite therapy; the use of this medication to treat demodicosis is not approved by the FDA. When ivermectin was a new drug, it was hoped that it could be used against demodectic mange mites as at that time only labor intensive dipping was available for treatment. Once it was discovered that daily doses are needed (most other parasites can be controlled with wormings spaced several weeks apart) ivermectin was found to be highly effective, quickly becoming the treatment of choice. Ivermectin is inexpensive relative to Milbemycin (see below) and involves no labor intensive bathing. It DOES, however, taste terrible if given orally (it may be necessary for the owner to learn how to give ivermectin as an injectable treatment.)

THIS MEDICATION IS NOT SAFE FOR USE IN COLLIES, SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS, USTRALIAN SHEPHERDS, OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOGS, AND SOME WOULD SAY, ANY HERDING BREED.

There is an unfortunate tendency for people hoping to save money to get their hands on large animal formulations of ivermectin and attempt to home treat this condition. The chief reason why this is a bad idea is “ivermectin sensitivity,” a phenomenon famous in the collie breeds. It is important to realize that sensitivity to ivermectin may not be predictably limited to “collie breeds” and thus it is often prudent to use a lower test dose before initiating the relatively high doses of ivermectin needed to treat demodicosis. Recently a DNA test has been developed by Washington State University which can determine whether or not an individual has ivermectin sensitivity. (The test uses a cheek swab – for details visit www.vetmed.wsu.edu/vcpl). Not all individuals of collie heritage are sensitive to ivermectin.

Another important reason not to attempt home treatment of this condition with ivermectin is that there is a range of ivermectin doses used in the treatment of demodicosis and it seems that higher doses do clear infection faster than lower doses. This means that if a lower dose has been ineffective, a higher dose may still work. This does not mean that a pet owner should experiment with ivermectin doses on their own as there is some potential for lethal toxicity if this drug is not used appropriately. It does mean, though, that the affected dog needs to be appropriately rechecked at the proper intervals so that the mite numbers can be checked and it can be determined if the dose should be increased.

Traditional Treatment — Amitraz (Mitaban) Dips

Unless the animal is largely bald or has a short coat, complete clipping will be required for maximal contact with the dip.

Dip should be preceded by a benzoyl peroxide bath (oxydex or pyoben shampoo). This helps clear up skin infections and also helps open the hair follicles so the dip can penetrate to the mites. Shampoo must sit on the pet at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Caution: This type of shampoo can stain jewelry and clothing.

Dip is applied by sponge. Gloves should be worn while applying dip. The dip dries on the dog’s fur and should not be rinsed off. The dog should not get wet between dips.

Dipping occasionally yields mild sedation as a side effect. Very small dogs may become highly sedated and require an antidote but this is unusual. For your convenience, dipping and bathing may be performed at the hospital thus allowing for veterinary supervision in the event of side effects.

Dipping/bathing is recommended every 2 weeks on the bottle of dip. Most universities are finding that the cure rate jumps from 25% to 80% when dip is used at double strength and applied weekly. No toxic effects have been seen using the dip in this way and this is our current recommendation except in very small dogs and puppies.

The pet’s skin is scraped every 2 weeks until 2 consecutive scrapings are negative. Dipping/bathing is discontinued and the pet is rechecked in one month. Dipping/bathing are reinstituted if mites are again found.

Amitraz dipping should not be used in toy breeds or in very young puppies.

NOTE: Amitraz is a drug of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor class. People who are taking selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as Prozac®) could have a bad reaction to the use of amitraz if they administer dips to pets.

NOTE: Recently Upjohn Pharmacia merged with Pfizer Animal Health. Prior to this, Mitaban dip was on an “indefinite” backorder. Pfizer Animal Health plans to reintroduce Mitaban dip as soon as possible and does not consider this product to have been discontinued. Large animal formulations of Amitraz are available but their use in small animals is considered to be off-label. If you are interested in Amitraz therapy for demodicosis, consult your veterinarian.

Something Else Your Veterinarian Might Try — Interceptor®

Interceptor (active ingredient: Milbemycin oxime) is normally marketed as a monthly heartworm preventive; when it is used on a daily basis, it is effective against generalized demodicosis. This discovery was welcomed by the veterinary profession as finally demodicosis could be treated without labor-intensive dipping. The downside to this treatment is expense, plus an owner can expect to be using this medication daily for up to 3 months to achieve cure.

Interceptor may be used in any patient safely; the only downside is expense.

Get the proven mange treatment here.


what are the best products, brands for getting rid of sarcoptic mange on animals?

i know cats cant take permethrin and collies cant take pesticides very well…besides these percautions- what do i use to erradicate these little pests which cause big problems?

For horses, this is what I do:

Not sure how’d you keep your collie from injesting any of it, but guess you could try one of those cone collars.

They also call it "sarcoptic mange", "Spanish Itch", "sweet itch", lice etc.

Well if you’re willing to try anything, here’s a decades old remedy for it… Motor oil (New or used). Simply paint your horse/pony with it and it will kill the fungus/bugs. Leave it on at least a month and within 2 weeks of painting it on, you’ll see new hair growing in hairless spots. What happens is, that it coats their little bug bodies and because bugs breathe through their skin, suffocates them…

I should state that you SHOULD either WASH your horse/pony with dawn or something else that will take the oil off IF you HAVE to ride before you put any tack on it. IF you don’t you WILL stain your tack and boots (I actually heard somebody did ride with it on their horse and it stained all their tack and their black boots turned brown)… Thought that would be a no brainer.


REEL 1 – 1918 REMOUNT AND VETERINARY ACTIVITIES IN THE AEF

Horses are clipped, dipped in a mange cure, put through a sulphuration chamber, shod, and strapped to operating tables and inspected at Neufchateau. Shows stalls, dressing stations, and dipping vats at Gievres. Horses are injected and herded overland.
(U. S. Army Signal Corps via National Archives with slrman’s effects and music added)

Duration : 0:9:27

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