mites - Page 1

hello, i just took my gsd spunky aka zippy vom haus miller to the vet for her annual today, and the vet observed some areas that she had been itching looked like spunky might have mites. fluffy has been very itchy too. then the vet asked if any of us (humans) had been itchy too and i said yes, the school nurse called me because my daughter was complaining about her itchy bites. the school nurse had asked me if i had any idea what it was and i said no. though before the vet mentioned it i suspected it might have something to do with the dogs, emma getting them only after playing with the dogs or sleeping on the couch by fluffy. recommended treatment for the dogs is 3 ivermectin injections 3 weeks apart each, $30 per injection. i was unable to do that just yet (just blew alot of $$$ getting home internet and cable and my daughter's birthday presents) this month but i could start next month just fine. before i do, i just want to find out if there is any other course of treatment that is cheaper and effective. i did some online searches, and one said that herding breeds don't tolerate ivermectin and to use a lyme dip. any feedback on fighting this problem would be very helpful. thanx.

the herding breeds that are most sensitive are your collie/sheltie type dogs.  I've heard a dermatologist say 4 white feet, don't treat.  That being said, I've given my GSD's ivermectin, it's the heartworm preventative in Heartguard.    If the vet thinks that it is sarcoptic mites, which it sounds like it is, since everyone is itchy.  Revolution (a topical) is an excellent treatment for it.   The usual course is once every 2 weeks, vs. once a month for 3 treatments.

Kathy

Revolution works really well, three treatments 2 weeks apart, the mites will cause itching in humans but they are a dead end host. If you do not treat all the dogs the itching of humans gets worse, then the school may call social services if the bites are bad enough. Take your daughter to the doctor. Wash all bedding in hot water and dry in hot dryer. I hope this helps, sarcoptic mites have been very bad this year.
Always,
Cee

BTW there is a DNA test that you can send to Washington state to test for the gene that causes the sensitivity.  The information is on their website.  The gene is called MDR1 or something.  I read a study on it and hardly any GSD's carry the gene and the one's that were carriers had a white factor somewhere in their lineage.  Pretty intresting stuff when you start to read up on it.  Meanwhile, it is present pretty heavily in some collie lines.

Makes me all itchy and buggy just reading about it....:)
So.... what is it?  mites, fleas, bed bugs?   What?
I use a kennel dip for the animals and you can buy a spray product for furniture..
Shampoo for the kids...  head lice goes round in the schools.
3 injections sounds a bit over the top.

I was told once that it is 3 injections 1 week apart.Also as others have said the Revolution every 2 weeks for 3 months works as well but the injections are faster and releive the poor dog AND your kid.I would find the money somehow or ask the vet to work something out for you instead of having to wait that long.Im sure they should be able to work a payment plan for you.Good luck

so would it be safe to assume that general flea treatments would be effective on the mites as well as it is on fleas? the injections was the only option the vet gave me. i asked if there was any way to prevent it from happening again, and she said no. that was why i didn't want to spend $180 to treat it if there was no way from them getting it again, say the next week or whatever. i remember one time i had 2 cats just crawling with fleas, they tried talking me into $150 worth of flea products, and i spent less than $5 on sargent's flea and tick spray at a discount store.............the fleas were gone completely within a couple weeks. that was all i used.........the dog i had then, i had on brewer's yeast tablets since i heard they prevented fleas, and that vet was astonished there was not a single flea on her. so if the same stuff that worked on fleas works on mange that will open up my options considerably.
i will take my daughter to the doctor tomorrow,  get all the blankets washed and dried, as well as get some spray for the furniture and carpets.
i asked the vet about revolution after rezkat5's suggestion, and she hemmed and hawed, saying i was welcome to try it but they didn't have much success with it, and the injections were 100% guaranteed.
anyway i figure if i don't really have to spend $180 to get rid of it why not go the cheaper route if it's the same effectiveness. if the injections really are the best option, i will go that route. i can borrow out of my daughter's savings account if i have to (sigh, i just got done paying her back).
the vet wanted me to buy $30 worth of cephalexin too.
it's not fleas this time, no flea dirt and no fleas found on the dogs.