I'm pretty sure my puppy has demodex. We got our puppy about two weeks ago and hoped her skin would clear up in the first week. It didn't so we've been using a shampoo the past week. It still hasn't cleared up. The vet will do a scraping tomorrow. I looked at pictures on the internet and it looks like every other picture of demodex.

But, my concern is more about her not being vaccinated. The vet doesn't want to vaccinate until the demodex is cleared up but I'm worried she may get parvo or something else.

Do I have to wait for the demodex to clear up or can I ask the vet to give her the shots anyway? How much is she at risk if we keep waiting?

She's also scratching a lot so any advice on how to keep her from biting/scratching would be appreciated too.

Thanks bunches!

Demodex typically doesn't cause itching, at least not to the extent that sarcoptic mange does-are you sure it isn't sarcoptic mange? Sarcoptic mange is both VERY itchy and contagious. Secondary skin infections accompanying demodex can cause itching and would need to be treated separately.

There is a nice breakdown here:

Mange in Dogs - A Highly Contagious Skin Rash

You do not want to give vaccinations when a puppy is not well. Their immune system is already compromised-if it is demodex, the puppy's immune system is definitely not up to snuff. My old girl just had surgery a week ago and we are delaying her rabies vaccine because of this.

If you keep her isolated from dogs you don't know and dogs who could have been exposed to other dogs who aren't vaccinated, she should be OK. Can you use a separate entrance at the vets so she is not exposed by sitting in the waiting room?

Is parvo an issue where you live? I know that there is an outbreak in Texas.

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Linda
Tahnee Golden Retrievers

Has she had any vaccinations thus far? If not, I would have the vet give her the 1st set of shots and start demodex treatment in a week or so. I know shots can be given in between dips... But some vets do ivomec for prevention.

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CH Lakewood's Gonna B A RockStar JH CGC "Remi"
CH Lakewood's Bringin' Out Da Big Guns "Cannon"
Rhythm's Dat's Da Way I Like It "KC"

The vet will do a scraping tomorrow to see what type of mite it is. The reason I doubt that it is sarcoptic is because no one else in the house is having problems, including my two cats. But we will find out for sure.

We do have parvo in the area. It seems to me that it would be more important to protect her against parvo than the mange but I don't know.

She has had no vaccines. The people we got her from did not do any veterinary care. Including worms, which she had and should get her follow up dewormer tomorrow as well.

I would discuss further with your vet once you know what you're dealing with. He/she may have reasons for wanting to provide one treatment sooner than the other. Sorry your pup is having such problems! What's her name? Would love to see pictures when you can.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

Thanks, I will discuss it with the vet but I am concerned that she's had no vaccines and treating the mange may take months. I have given her the heartworm medicine and frontline plus. Don't either of these work for mange?

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No, I don't think they do anything except prevent worm and flea infestations.

She is a little cutie. I'm sure you'll get over this bump pretty quickly.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

Most all of the reading I have done suggests no vaccinations until the demodex is under control. With an already weakened immune system, this could really push the puppy over the edge and even make the demodex worse. You do NOT want to end up with a puppy with generalized demodex-this can be very very serious.

I am not sure if the demodex would interfere with how well the vaccine would "take." Defintely ask your vet about that.

Demodectic Mange in Dogs

Dog Skin Treatments - Demodectic Mange Treatments: A Basic Overview

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Linda
Tahnee Golden Retrievers

She is adorable of course. Neither the heartworm prevention or frontline will do anything for mange. However, if it is sarcoptic mange, which the skin scraping will determine, it can be treated with Revolution, which is a topical heartworm preventative. Usually 2 or 3 treatments of Revolution, spaced a month apart, takes care of sarcops. Demodex is harder to treat and does take longer to resolve.

I hope you get good news and it's a simple treatment either way.

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Thanks, I just have a few more hours to wait to find out what mites she has. I guess I should hope that it's sarcoptic. She got a bath last night with the shampoo we got last time but she's still itching but she is scratching a lot. Her face is getting worse and is now losing hair around her mouth. I'm just glad this looks like something that is treatable, even if it will take awhile. But, I'll be nervous until she can get her vaccines.

She's a great puppy and is learning quickly. Behaving is another story

Here's another pic! (Before losing the hair on her head.)

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