Mange in puppies.... (vet, treatment, rescue, symptoms)

[irishmom]

I'm sure some of you will know the answer to this question, so here goes.

The rescue I'm with took a momma dog and her 4 pups...three of the pups have been adopted out and one remains. She is 4 months old and recently was diagnosed with demodex mange. Everything I read says the mites come from the momma and the symptoms don't show up until this age.

The question: Do you think we should contact the other owners and have them take their pups to the vet to be sure they do not have it also or is it probably just the one pup that developed it? Also should momma be tested?

TIA!

[deegers]

I would be safe and forward this information to the other owners with positive suggestions and make sure they don't suddenly want to throw the pup back. The public can be easy to freak out when they don't understand things. There's nothing wrong with information and concern. If anything, it reflects professionalism on your part and good communication from the rescue. Testing the mom may be a positive thing too. Is it an expensive thing to do?

but make sure, you be firm about the positive suggestions and repeat often.

[ShepsMom]

Yep that would be a good idea. My pup had the same problem when she was 4 month old. I got her from BYB who is POS and didn't want to hear nothing about it. Surprise!!

Pups get it from their mothers, cure is simple with meds, so don't worry yourself about it too much.
Hope everything is well

[GreenMachine]

Originally Posted by irishmom

I'm sure some of you will know the answer to this question, so here goes.

The rescue I'm with took a momma dog and her 4 pups...three of the pups have been adopted out and one remains. She is 4 months old and recently was diagnosed with demodex mange. Everything I read says the mites come from the momma and the symptoms don't show up until this age.

The question: Do you think we should contact the other owners and have them take their pups to the vet to be sure they do not have it also or is it probably just the one pup that developed it? Also should momma be tested?

TIA!

Yes, send them a note and tell them how to take care of the problem. Let them know that humans can't get it and the cure is a simple one. Recommend a vet they can go to.

greenie

[irishmom]

Ok I'll call them and hope we don't get a bunch of puppies back.*sigh* We set up our vets to see them if the people want so they don't have to pay for it. I'm just hoping none of them freak out on me.

Since reading about it I've been itching all day...and I don't even have the affected dog at my house! I did however have one with sarcoptic mange once a while back and my son caught it...I know it's different but still itchy doesn't come close to how I feel right now thinking about it.

Thanks for the help!

[deegers]

Sympathy itches!!! JK

[nlblueyes]

I adopted my dog, Chipper, from a humane society after finding him on petfinder.com. He had had his puppy shots, been neutered and was about 3=4 months old when I got him. He ended up having mange. I took him to the vet and he was treated. The rescue group, Franklin County Humane Society in NC where wonderful. As Chipper was my first dog, I kept in contact with the fosters for various questions. When I told her that he had mange, the Humane Society reimbursed me my vet bills for his treatment. They felt bad that it hadn't been detected and taken care of prior to my adoption. It didn't make me want to give him back, I just wanted him to get better.

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by nlblueyes

I adopted my dog, Chipper, from a humane society after finding him on petfinder.com. He had had his puppy shots, been neutered and was about 3=4 months old when I got him. He ended up having mange. I took him to the vet and he was treated. The rescue group, Franklin County Humane Society in NC where wonderful. As Chipper was my first dog, I kept in contact with the fosters for various questions. When I told her that he had mange, the Humane Society reimbursed me my vet bills for his treatment. They felt bad that it hadn't been detected and taken care of prior to my adoption. It didn't make me want to give him back, I just wanted him to get better.

That is good to hear! I really don't care about the money it's the possible panic over it I was worried about and from what I read not all the puppies may have gotten it, so I didn't want to freak them out and have them return the puppies on a "just in case" type thing.

Anyway I left messages for the adopters...so far no one has called me back so we will see.

[nlblueyes]

I didn't care about the money either, I just wanted Chipper to get better. He is one of the best things that has happened to me in my life. Hopefully if any of the other puppies have it, the new owners will just want the puppy to get better and won't give them back.. but if they do, then the puppies are better off

[riveree]

Definitely tell them.

One of my dogs had it when we found her (rescue). She was a young pup and I could see something strange on her belly. I told the vet I thought it could be mange. This was a previous vet - not the great vet I have now - but the vet told me "no" and thought it was all these other possibilities. I kept bringing her back as it got worse and he kept telling me "no, it's not mange, she wouldn't have mange" (why not? ).

End result: My poor dog started losing fur around her eyes and all down her limbs before the vet said "yes, you're right, she has mange (sarcoptic)". I assumed he was the expert....I never had a dog with mange before .

Anyway, it was stubborn, and the treatment was nasty, messy, and she hated it, but we got through it. I only wish we could have treated it earlier. Today, you'd never know she had it - all her fur grew back perfectly .

So yes, tell them so they can address it quickly and the vet will know there is a history - it'll be easier on everyone .