AboutCindy Expertise Rescue questions, general behavior, coat colors, sizes, and general information. I cannot provide detailed medical answers but can share some experiences.
Experience I have worked with dachshund rescue for over 4 years and rescued about 300 dachshunds, have owned dachshunds all my life, and have worked with special needs, puppy mills dogs, and other breeds as well.
Question Hi, I appreciate that this is a medical question and therefore probably difficult to answer but I was wondering if you have had any experience of demodectic mange or demodicosis. We have a 4 year old standard size long haired dachsund and she's suffering terribly with the generalised version of the disease. Our vet isn't being terribly helpful and has requested that we try every other medicine first before she'll test her for the mites or an immune suppressive condition. The problem is that Dilys (the dog) is really in a bad way, constantly chewing at her legs and pawing her ears because of the itching and her skin has gone all scaly and it really grieves us to leave her waiting so long just to see if a medicine will work or not. Have you had experience of this? Do you know anyone that has? Could you recommend any treatment available without prescription? I looked at the vets section on the site but they're all maxed out and on vacation and we're desperate to get her some proper help.
Answer She will only get worse and be miserable if it is mange - take her to a different vet. It is very contagious and will cause her a lot of problems. If your vet is not helpful, it is time to try a new clinic. We had a long hair come in recently who was missing a lot of hair and was scaly but she has flea allergies. We gave her several oatmeal shampoos (you can get that kind of shampoo anywhere. Her old owners told us it was stress! She is much better now and is feeling good. I can only say if it was my dog I would go to a different vet.
