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Expert: Chicago Pit Bull Trainer: Jennifer - 9/18/2009


Question
I recently took my pitbull to the vet and was given mitaban and antibiotics for mites that they stated was causing her to itch and lose hair.  I have only given her one treatment.  My neighbor suggested that I give her Ivonmic(?)  Any suggestions, I was told that is a common problem with red nose pitbull with mange.

Answer
The mitaban was a one-time dip, I assume.  The vet should have first taken a skin scraping to determine what type of mites (they probably did).  I don't know if the vet thinks it will go away after the 1 dip, or if they gave you an appt. for a re-check in 2 weeks another skin scraping to see if it lowered the amount of mites, they usually repeat the dip again.

Your neighbor is talking about Ivermectin, a common treatment for mange, this is what most dogs I've seen get treated with.  Ask you vet about it so they can get the dosage and duration correct.  Mange is an immune system problem- the mites live on the skin normally but have overgrown in this case, and it has a genetic link, it's common in all Pit Bulls, from Blues to Reds.  

Another thing that can help is better nutrition, either a very high quality dog food or a balanced raw diet, both known to help boost the immune system.

For further reading: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=630

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Chicago Pit Bull Trainer: Jennifer

Expertise

If this is a question that is not specific to Pit Bulls as a breed, it can also be placed in another category, like dogs, dog training, dog behavior, etc. I can answer questions on dogs, and I have specific knowledge of Pit Bulls as a breed. I can answer questions on various types of training (protection training, pet training, competition, sport), behavior issues (aggression, housebreaking, etc), problem solving, how to choose a dog, Pit Bull rescue, breeds and breed history, pedigrees, genetics, some heath/veterinary, homeopathy, natural rearing, and any questions on nutrition or supplements. I like to give honesty from my experience and knowledge, and creative solutions to problems.

Experience

I am a Professional Dog Trainer and Behaviorist in Chicago, IL. I have owned Pit Bulls for 7 years, including rescuing and fostering Pits, and I have trained many clients' Pit Bulls myself. They are great dogs and do not deserve the negative stigma that some people give them. I have experience with all breeds of dogs, and specifically more with working breeds. I have been around dogs all my life and have studied dogs in both behavioral research and theory, as well as hands-on. I have personally obedience trained hundreds of dogs for clients. I tend to stay away from un-balanced training or "trendy" training (such as "purely positive") that does not fix problems but wastes time and causes owners to give up on their dogs. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all. A balanced technique uses positive reinforcement as well as corrections, with an understanding of the individual dog. It is not about "methods", it is about reading dogs, truly understanding them, and getting concrete results in a humane way. I have learned much from other highly respected trainers. I have fixed behavioral problems in all types of pets for clients, as well as competing with my own dogs. I also do rescue and train those dogs as well. I also have experience in holistic health care for dogs, including raw diets, nutrition, and homeopathic remedies.

Publications
http://www.examiner.com/x-7848-Chicago-Dog-Training-Examiner http://www.DynamicDogsChicago.com/articles

Education/Credentials
I have personal and professional experience owning and training Pit Bulls.

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