Demodectic Mange Treatment

Demodectic Mange Treatment

Localized demodex mange treatment

Generalized demodex mange treatment

Sulfurated Lime (LimePlus Dip (Rx))
A combination of sulfur and lime (sulfurated lime) is used to kill bacteria, parasites and fungal infections on pets including demodex mites, Sarcoptes scabiei mites, and ringworm. Sulfurated lime also relieves itching caused by parasites and ringworm.

Solutions of sulfur and lime, such as LimePlus Pet Dip, are used as a rinse or dip every 5-7 days to treat demodex infections. Treatment is repeated for several weeks until skin scrapings have been clear of mites for at least a month. Sulfurated lime is safe to use on dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens at a dilution of 4 ounces in one gallon of water. If this concentration does not clear the mite infection, the concentration of sulfurated lime can be doubled to 8 ounces per gallon of water.

Unfortunately, sulfur causes an offensive odor and the dip should be applied in a well ventilated room. The smell becomes less noticeable after the dip dries. Dip is left on the skin and is not towel dried, and the animal is not washed or allowed to get wet between treatments. Sulfurated lime dips stain jewelry, porus surfaces such as cement, and the white or light-colored coats of pets. The stained coat returns to a normal color over time. Bathing the pet with a benzoyl peroxide shampoo before dipping opens skin follicles and increases mite exposure to the dip.

Amitraz Dips (Mitaban (Rx))
Amitraz is a chemical (triazapentadiene) that kills insects and spiders on plants and pets. One of the formulations of amitraz is called Mitaban. In veterinary medicine, amitraz (Mitaban) is used as a dip to kill ticks, mites, and lice. Amitraz is approved by the FDA to be used weekly in dogs at least 4 months of age. Amitraz use in cats is “off-label” use. For pets with infections that do not clear with weekly dips, veterinarians may prescribe more frequent dips or may prescribe dips at higher concentrations than normally used. Either of these treatments is considered “off label” use of amitraz. Even with these modifications, up to 20% of adult pets with generalized demodex infection don’t improve.

Amitraz dips are done with a veterinarian’s guidance because amitraz is mildly toxic. The following recommendations help make the dip effective and safe for the pet and the handler:

• Don’t use on pets with deep, draining bacterial infections. Clean up skin infections first.
• Clip the hair unless it is naturally short.
• Bathe the pet with a benzoyl peroxide shampoo, such as OxyDex, before dipping. This bathing opens skin follicles and increases mite exposure to the dip.
• Put protective eye ointment in the pet’s eyes and cotton balls in the ears to avoid getting dip in them. Gently sponge areas around the head and don’t get dip in the lips or mouth.
• Cover the entire rest of the pet with dip.
• Leave the dip on and do not towel it off or rinse it off. Don’t let the pet swim or become wet between treatments.
• Repeat the dip every 1-2 weeks until skin scrapings have no live or dead mites for at least a month. Skin scrapings are taken from bald areas and from normally haired areas.
• Wear protective clothing and remove jewelry, which is discolored by amitraz.
• Work in a well ventilated place but do not chill the pet.

Amitraz (Mitaban) for pododermatitis
For dogs with demodex foot infections, some veterinarians recommend soaking the paws in amitraz mixed with mineral oil. This is “off label” use, but can be highly effective.

Side effects of amitraz (Mitaban)
Amitraz is a powerful medication and it can cause side effects in pets. Most pets become lethargic after being dipped. Amitraz is most likely to be toxic to toy breeds, senior pets, weak pets, cats, and rabbits. Toxic effects include high blood sugar, vomiting, diarrhea, unsteadiness (ataxia), and slow heart rate.

Amitraz should not be handled by people with diabetes or by people taking MAO Inhibitors such as Parnate and selegiline. Amitraz should not be used on dogs taking Anipryl or selegiline. Sulfurated lime (LimePlus Pet Dip) is a safer medication for these pets.

When sulfurated lime (LimePlus Pet Dip) or amitraz (Mitaban) don’t clear the infection

When demodex infection is not cleared by LimePlus Pet Dip or by Mitaban—or to increase the speed with which an infection is cleared—efforts are made to:

• resolve stress, such as pregnancy,
• boost the immune system,
• clear underlying diseases or infections, and
• medicate with Heartgard (ivermectin) or Interceptor (milbemycin).

Using ivermectin (Heartgard (Rx)) or milbemycin (Interceptor (Rx)) to help clear demodex mange

Heartgard, which is used at 6 micrograms/kg/month to prevent heartworm infections, is given at 100 times the heartworm dose (600 micrograms/kg/day) for 2-3 months to clear demodex infections. Treatment is continued until dogs have skin scrapings with no live or dead mites for at least a month.

Interceptor (0.5 – 0.9mg/kg/month) is a commonly used medication to prevent heartworm infections. To treat demodex mites, veterinarians prescribe higher doses (0.5 to 2.0 mg/kg) used daily for several weeks. Interceptor is continued until skin scrapings are negative for live or dead mites for at least a month.

Because high doses of Heartgard or Interceptor necessary to rid pets of demodex are potentially dangerous, two important precautions are taken. First, before treatment, dogs undergo testing to confirm that they do not have heartworms; and, second, they are tested to confirm they do not have the multiple drug resistant (MDR1) gene if they are purebred or mixed breed herding dogs:

• Australian Shepherd
• Border Collie
• Collie
• English Shepherd
• German Shepherd
• McNab
• Old English Sheepdog

or

• Longhaired Whippet, and
• Silken Windhound.

Dogs with the MDR1 gene are especially sensitive to many drugs and cannot be treated with high doses of ivermectin or milbemycin. They can be medicated with the low doses of ivermectin (Heartgard) and milbemycin (Interceptor) used to prevent heartworm infections. For more information on the MDR1 drug sensitivity gene, visit Drug Reactions in Herding Dogs in the Working/Agility Dog section of www.PetHealth101.com.

In addition to not having a drug sensitivity gene, pets must be free of heartworm infections before treatment with Heartgard or Interceptor to control demodex. If pets have heartworms, the heartworms will be killed by Heartgard and Interceptor more rapidly than is safe. The dead heartworms will float into the lungs, plug up blood vessels and cause fatal pulmonary embolisms.

Dogs that have both heartworms and demodex infections can still be safely treated. These dogs are first treated for heartworm infections with low doses of heartworm medication and then treated with high doses of ivermectin (Heartgard) or milbemycin (Interceptor) to control demodex.

Amitraz Collars (Preventic Tick Collar)
The Preventic collar contains amitraz and some veterinarians recommend using it “off-label” to help control demodex mite infections. The collar is most effective if worn between treatments of LimePlus Pet Dip or Mitaban.

Cats with demodex infections
Cats are sensitive to amitraz so that veterinarians may recommend mixing amitraz with mineral oil or propylene glycol (1:3 parts) and treating only the affected areas.

Medications to avoid in pets with demodexmange

Supplements for pets with demodex mange

The articles here were answered by a variety of pharmacists and veterinarians   Date Category Topic 08/17/06  Other  MY DOGS MEDS 08/07/06  Other  STRANGE SHEDDING 08/02/06  Antifungal/Antiprotozoal  MANGE 07/13/06  Skin Care  DEMODECTIC MANGE 07/08/06  Skin Care  RESCUED ENGLISH BULLDOG WITH SEVERE DEMODEX 07/03/06  Skin Care  DEMODEX 05/11/06  Bone & Joint Care  ARTHRITIS/ INABILITY TO TAKE NSAID MEDS 04/27/06  Skin Care  MANGE 03/26/06  Skin Care  MANGE 03/07/06  Skin Care  DEMODEX MITES 03/06/06  Skin Care  SCALY BALDING PATCH ON HIND THIGH 03/04/06  Skin Care  TYPES OF MANGE 02/18/06  Skin Care  MANGE 01/08/06  Skin Care  SKIN RASH 01/07/06  Grooming  MY PUP KEEPS ITCHING 1 2 3 »»

 

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