Colleen update 1/13/07 - Paw Talk

corgimom · #1 01-13-2007, 05:10 PM

Just a quick update. Colleen had her second dip a few days ago, and is doing MUCH better. Her skin is still a little pink, but nothing like it was. So far, she seems to be responding well to the treatment. She still scratches every now and then, so we've been keeping a shirt on her most of the time, but her attitude has changed lately. Today, in particular, she has been less sulky and more playful than she has since starting treatment for the mange. No idea yet exactly how many medicated baths she'll require to be completely cured of this mange outbreak, but because she has been responding so well, we're positive that she will make a full recovery. Every day her skin looks just the least little bit better.

Thank you for keeping her in your thoughts.

millie121 · #2 01-13-2007, 05:42 PM

Wonderful news! I definitely hope she keeps doing well with her treatments.

Nara · #3 01-13-2007, 06:27 PM

That's fantastic! I hope things keep going well.

sara8 · #4 01-13-2007, 07:41 PM

YEAH!!!!!

That is wonderful news!! I have been wondering how you guys were doing!! I figured no news was good news but it's good to hear anyway.

HappyDancer · #5 01-14-2007, 03:15 AM

I am so glad to har she is doing better...I hope that the treatments work 100% and you are all able to take a well deserved breather

I will keep you all in my thoughts

Formula86 · #6 01-14-2007, 07:38 PM

I'm so happy to hear it! Again - she is sooo lucky to have you guys.

I'm glad she's in better spirits.

I have a curiousity question - can a dog be cured of mange? Will it ever be 100% gone forever?

corgimom · #7 01-15-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formula86


	I have a curiousity question - can a dog be cured of mange? Will it ever be 100% gone forever?

No, this is a problem that we will have to watch for her entire life. ALL dogs have the mites that cause demodex mange. Humans even have them (in places like their eyelashes). The mites are passed from mother dog to puppies during nursing. Because all dogs have these mites, it is not contagious, nor is it possible for a dog who has had a demodex problem to ever be "cured". The majority of dogs who "get" demodex mange, get it because their immune systems are not capable of controlling the number of mites. The mites reproduce faster than their immune system can kill them off. When this happens, the mite population causes a demodex mange "outbreak" (the best word I can think of to describe it). Giving medication (or dips, in our case) will help the dog kill off the mites to a level that they are able to deal with.

But because the "outbreak" was caused by a poor immune system, it is never possible to cure them and guarantee that it will never return. Demodex problems can be genetic, so it is advised that you don't breed a dog who has had recuring demodex problems. But lack of proper nutrition, lack of proper care, and stress can all lower their immune systems so that the mite population grows out of control. This is why alot of shelter dogs have had demodex problems.

In Colleen's case, our vet thinks that this problem has been brewing since we got her. We took her for a skin scraping just a few weeks after getting her, and it showed no problems. So our best guess is that this particular outbreak was caused by the stress of moving from the foster's backyard into our house and having a brand new family. Emotionally, she seemed to adjust very well, but it seems as if her immune system was still affected by the stress.

Lucas and I enjoy going on vacation. If we take Colleen with us, the change could be stressful. If we leave her home with Grandpa like we do Tucker (Tucker doesn't travel well and prefers remain in his comfort zone), leaving her could be stressful to her. We do not want to live in Louisiana long term. When we move, it will be stressful to her. If/when we ever have a child, it will be stressful to her. There are so many life events that can cause stress and could potentially bring this problem back that I intend to keep a very close eye on her.

We waited until we saw hair loss to take her to the vet. A groomer mentioned (a couple of months ago) that she had dry skin, so I assumed she was scratching because of that. It wasn't until I saw hair loss that I said "Wait a minute. Is this dry skin, or is the mange back?" In the futre, I need to make sure to take her for a skin scraping any time she starts scratching alot. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to clear up (and the less discomfort it will cause her.)

We knew when we got her that there was a chance that the mange would return. We fell in love with her and decided that she was worth it. Granted, I didn't know at the time that the medication that they used to help her last time was $2000, but in the end it all worked out. Her treatments are costing us $32/week for 6-12 weeks, but that's affordable to us. For her sake, I wish she didn't have this problem. It's so heartbreaking to know she is uncomfortable and I'm already doing everything I can to make her as comfortable as possible. But in my heart, I know that she would have this problem whether she was here with us, living with another family, or still living in the backyard at the foster's house. It brings me some comfort to know that her life is 1000 times better now than it was before. She has two brothers who adore her, gradparents who love her, and a mom and dad who love her dearly and are willing to do anything that they can to make her happy and keep her comfortable when she has an outbreak. In all honesty, even if we did have to go with the $2000 treatment, we'd find a way to pay for it this time, and get a pet insurance policy to cover her for the next time (we may do this anyway. Still deciding.)

Sorry this was so long. It's been an emotional topic for me.

Also, the above applies only to demodex mange. Sarcoptic mange is contagious, and I have no experience with it, so I don't know if it can be permanently cured or not.

Formula86 · #8 01-15-2007, 02:05 PM

Aw, poor little baby. But like you said - she is in the BEST place ever!

Is there anything you can do to boost her immune system? And maybe when you know that there will be a stressful event, you can give her something for it, like an anti-anxiety med. ??? I'm just guessing!!

She is in such good hands now!!

Angelnstuff · #9 01-15-2007, 02:32 PM

poor baby, im glad shes feeling better..
when shes finished with her treatments will you let her hair gorw back out? or will you be keeping it shorter?

kathydip · #10 01-15-2007, 04:22 PM

I am glad you took her in. You certainly are providing her the best home. Maybe with time she will not be stressed so easily.
I wonder if this is the same type of mites that Tabby had. Although she was able to get shots for it. The shots were not expensive and it was only 3 or 4 of them.
It never ceases to amaze me at how nerves can affect so many different things. It's not just puppies either. People too.
I am so glad that she is feeling better and that you gave us such an indepth update. I enjoyed reading all of it. Please give all the kids kisses for me.

Vanilla_Rat · #11 01-15-2007, 08:04 PM

I am truly happy to hear that miss Colleen is doing well with the dips.The poor girl has been thru alot and I am sure she is forever grateful that you guys have found her! I also enjoy reading about Colleen's updates!

corgimom · #12 01-15-2007, 10:27 PM

Kathy, it's possible that it's the same type of mites. Most dogs are treated with ivermectin, but most collies are extremely sensitive/allergic to ivermectin, so we've been going with dips.

As for her immune system: Lucas' mom emailed him a link to a site that sells a synthetic version of the colustrum (I think?) that is in the mother's milk that gives them antibodies. When Colleen goes in for her dips, I just drop her off on my way to work and pick her up for the evening. I haven't had an actual appointment with the vet since I received the email. Tucker will be due for his annual exam/vaccinations next month, so I'm going to print the page up and ask him if he's ever heard of it/knows anything about it.

When I contacted the Houston Collie Rescue (who sees many mange cases) asking for advice on the best way to treat Colleen, they mentioned that there is a medicated collar called a Preventix collar that contains the same medication as the dip, in a lower dose. They dip their dogs once every 3 weeks and use the collar in between. When Lucas and I go on vacation or move or whatever, we're going to try putting one on her so that if she starts to get stressed, she'll have the medication. I just need to check with the vet first to make sure that it is okay to do this.

We were in the proccess of trying to grow her hair out long. Honestly, at this point I think we're going to take a wait and see attitude towards it. The vet told us (the first time they saw her) that it would take an average of a year for her coat to get back to normal after recovering from demodex. If she continues to have mange problems, I will probably keep it on the shorter side (like it was when we got her, if you remember the pics from way back then), just so that it is easier to keep an eye on her skin. But if, after that full year, she hasn't had any more problems, we'll probably keep it long.