demodex mange in bloodhound pups. Help? - Page 1

We have an 18 wk old bloodhound pup recently diagnosed with puppy mange.  He is presently being treated with Ivomec 0.36ml orally per day for thirty days.  After that time he is to undergo two scraping tests to see if the tx has been effective.  This is his dilemma, his scratching and itching seems to be getting worse rather than better.  He wants to chew his legs, feet, arms, belly constantly.  When he has an itch attack it breaks your heart to watch.  The vet recommended benadryl 25mg orally three times a day as well.  I don't know if this is helping or not.  My question is this, I have read various blogs where some have found great success with palmolive dish soap baths followed by cooking oil application to affected areas as well as the peroxide 1%,water,borax baths.  I understand that bloodhounds have a naturally oily coat and I would hate to dry him out anymore and only add to the itching.  If anyone has any good and helpful feedback on this please let me know! Thank you.  PJ

Poor guy. Would bag balm help? Maybe vitamin e in his food?

I was told that once treatment begins, it does get worse because the mites are irritated...There is some anti-itch spray that you can get at walmart that helps some.....It worked on my friend's Dalmatian, and that poor baby had it really bad....

You might try an iodine shampoo -- I had a Dobe that this helped with many, many moons ago. The oozing skin on the surface can lead to a staph infection that you have to deal with too

It will get worse before it gets better like nonacona60 said, ask your Vet if your pup can get a Depo or Pred shot to help with the itching.

My vet had me use Listerne on mine. Use cotton pads and dab it on. worked wonders.

My vet had me use Listerne on mine. Use cotton pads and dab it on. worked wonders.

My vet had me use Listerne on mine. Use cotton pads and dab it on. worked wonders.

I am so sorry to hear about your pup. This is an upsetting diagnosis, but it is very likely that your pup will be absolutely fine once he is over this. My son's French Mastiff had this and he was put on Interceptor, one pill a day for four months (cost a fortune). He was also on antibiotics because the raw areas many times will get infected, which can cause itchiness. He was also on prednisone at times for itchiness. Benadryl will only work on 30% of all dogs, so if you don't think it is helping talk to your vet and hopefully he/she will suggest something else like Atarax or Zyrtec to try. Keep in mind ANY antihistamine will only be effective in 30% of dogs. I would certainly try the Listerine as suggested. It may burn any raw areas though- not sure about that as  I've never used it except as a mouthwash :) I am sorry I don't have any great suggestions for you, but I would talk to your vet before trying anything new.

BTW, my son's Mastiff is 100% fine now and seems as healthy as any other dog.  Good luck to you and your pup.

The best,
Char