Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/4/2005

Question
Hi,
I have a 2 1/2 year old Siberian Husky. She was diagnosed with demodectic mange at a little under a year old...I believe I started noticing it when she was around 6-8 months old. Because of the frequent vet visits and constant medications she needs, she had to go live with my parents. She takes Ivomec drops, cortizone shots, and gets dipped once about every 2 weeks. Even with all this treatment, her mites have not gotten any better...in fact, they usually clear up for the winter but have not done so this year. Is there any other treatment you would recommend? We will NOT let her suffer, she is the sweetest and most gentle dog we've ever known. Any help would be appreciated.
Also, I have just gotten another husky, 13 wks old. As you can imagine, I am very paranoid about her health. When do mites usually start to appear? I feel sure the breeder of the dog that has it was careless and didn't care that her mother had the disease....I'm sure I have nothing to worry about with this dog, but seeing my other baby doesn't help...
thank you,
Leah

Answer
Giving cortisone to a dog with mange is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline.  

If the dog is very itchy with demodex mange, it is probably infected with a yeast or a bacterial infection.

Ivermectin has to be given orally at very high doses (600 micrograms per pound) continuously or it will not work.

I use amitraz dips on a 2 or 3 week basis to keep these mites under control.