Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 3/23/2010

Question
STRAY DOG CAME UP ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD.CARRIED HER TO OUR VET. SHE HAS DEMODECTIC MANGE. VET GAVE HER SULFA-TRIM ANTIBIOTIC FOR 4 WEEKS AND ALSO PROMERIS SPOT TREATMENT.GOT LOTS BETTER. STOPPED TAKING SULFA TRIM. WITHIN ONE WEEK SHE WAS WORSE THAN EVER.SO VERY RED AND HAIR FALLING OUT. BACK TO VET AND GAVE HER SAME ANTIBIOTIC AGAIN AND ADVANTAGE MULTI FOR SPOT TREATMENT. BEEN ON IT FOR 6 WEEKS NOW AND NO BETTER, IN FACT MAY BE WORSE. ALSO SHE TESTED POSITIVE FOR HEARTWORMS, SO HE SAID HE COULDN'T DO THE IVORMEC.I HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WILL WORK TO GET RID OF THIS. WE HAVE USED THIS VET FOR MANY YEARS FOR OUR OTHER DOGS AND CATS, BUT WHAT HE IS DOING FOR HER IS NOT GETTING HER WELL. I NEED YOUR HELP. I AM DESPARATE.

Answer
The best treatment for mange is amitraz dips.  Your vet can buy this specific insecticide and can dip your dog for you. This stuff is very toxic and must be handled carefully.  We normally do dips every 2 weeks for 3 dips, then three more dips at 3 week intervals. Keep up the antibiotics.  I would recommend cephalexin, as these are almost always Staph infections.