Demodectic Mange in Dogs

Mange is a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites. Two different mange mites cause skin disease in dogs. One lives just under the surface of the skin (sarcoptic mange), while the other resides in the hair follicles (demodectic mange). Although both mites share similar characteristics, there are also important differences. It is important not to confuse the two types of mange because they have different causes, treatments, and prognoses.

What causes demodectic mange?

Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex canis, a parasitic mite that lives in the hair follicles of dogs. Under the microscope, this mite is shaped like a cigar with eight legs. Demodectic mange, sometimes just called ‘demodex’ or ‘red mange’, is the most common form of mange in dogs.

"As long as the body's immune system is functioning properly, these mites cause no harm."

All normal dogs (and many humans) have a few of these mites on their skin. As long as the body's immune system is functioning properly, these mites cause no harm.

Demodectic mange most often occurs when a dog has an immature immune system, allowing the number of skin mites to increase rapidly. As a result, this disease occurs primarily in dogs less than 12 to 18 months of age. As the dog matures, its immune system also matures.

Adult dogs that have the disease usually have weakened immune systems. Demodectic mange may occur in older dogs because function of the immune system often declines with age. Dogs who have a weakened immune system due to illness or certain medications are also susceptible to demodectic mange.

Is demodectic mange contagious?

No, demodectic mange is not contagious to other animals or humans. Demodex mites are transmitted to puppies from their mother during the first few days of life. Since the mite is found on virtually all dogs, exposure of a normal dog to one with demodectic mange is not dangerous, as the immune system must be depressed for mange to develop.

"Demodectic mange is not contagious to other animals or humans."

Why doesn't the immune system mature correctly in some dogs?

Development of the immune system is under genetic or hereditary control. An affected dog often has littermates that are also affected. Owners of littermates should be alerted to watch for the development of mange in their puppies. Because the disease is due to a genetic defect, affected dogs should not be bred, and the parents of the affected dog should not be bred again.

What does demodectic mange do to the dog?

Surprisingly, a dog with demodectic mange usually does not itch severely, even though it loses hair in patches. The hair loss usually begins on the face, especially around the eyes. When there are only a few patches of hair loss, the condition is called localized demodectic mange. If the disease spreads to many areas of the skin, the condition is called generalized demodectic mange.

How is demodectic mange diagnosed?

"Your veterinarian will take deep skin scrapings and examine them under the microscope to diagnose this disease."

Your veterinarian will take deep skin scrapings and examine them under the microscope to diagnose this disease. The finding of larger than normal numbers of Demodex mites in skin scrapings confirms the diagnosis. Occasionally, the disease will be diagnosed by means of a skin biopsy in dogs that have chronic skin infections that have not responded appropriately to treatment.

How is demodectic mange treated?

The localized form is usually treated with topical medication. The generalized form requires more aggressive treatment using special shampoos and dips, along with oral medication. Shampooing with special cleansing shampoos containing benzoyl peroxide helps to flush out and open the hair follicles prior to dipping. 

There are also several 'spot on' topical treatments, such as imidacloprid and moxidectin. These medications are used 'off label' for the treatment of demodicosis. The term 'off label' describes the use of a drug for conditions other than what it was approved for.

There is an injectable form of doramectin, which can also be used for off label treatment of demodex. Your veterinarian will discuss the benefits and risks of these medications with you.

In some cases, especially dogs with generalized demodectic mange, secondary skin infections complicate the condition, requiring antibiotic therapy. Because dogs with skin infections often have very red, inflamed skin, demodectic mange is often called ‘red mange’. Your veterinarian can help you determine whether or not your dog has a skin infection in addition to demodectic mange.

Are there any problems with topical treatment?

The dip commonly used for demodectic mange contains the insecticide amitraz. It must be used very carefully because it is a strong insecticide that can cause serious side effects, both to your dog and to you, if not used properly. Your dog may experience vomiting and sedation for twenty-four to thirty-six hours following each application. Most of these problems will resolve without medical intervention. If your dog reacts in this manner, you should dilute the next dip with 25% more water. If you are using a ‘spot on’ topical treatment, you may see drooling if your dog licks the medication.

"Amitraz must be used very carefully because it is a strong insecticide that can cause serious side effects, both to your dog and to you, if not used properly."

Since most dogs develop tolerance to the dip as they are repeated, your dog is less likely to have side effects with each subsequent treatment. After receiving two to three dipping treatments at seven-day intervals, skin scrapings should be repeated and examined for the presence of live mites or mite eggs. The results of these skin scrapings will determine whether further treatment is needed.

I heard that there is a drug that can be given orally for demodectic mange. Is that true?

Yes, under certain conditions.

Ivermectins are a class of drugs that are approved for prevention of heartworm disease in dogs and cats. Certain ivermectins are used to treat parasites on cattle. The cattle preparation has been used orally for demodectic mange in some dogs. However, ivermectin is not approved for use in treating dogs with mange, so its use to treat mite infestations in dogs is off-label.

Ivermectin is a very strong drug that can cause severe side-effects, including death, if it is not administered properly. It is extremely important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions and cautions carefully, as their directions may be very different from those on the label. Veterinarians do not generally recommend ivermectin for use in Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, or any other herding breed because they are sensitive to the medication.

There are a few other oral medications that may be used off label in the treatment of the demodex mite. These include milbemycin oxime (the active ingredient of Interceptor® and Sentinel®), afoxolaner (NexGard®), and fluralaner (Bravecto®). Your veterinarian will help you decide which oral or topical medication is best for your dog.

What is the prognosis for my dog?

Treatment of demodectic mange is generally successful. However, if the immune system is weakened, neither the mites nor the infection may respond to treatment. With generalized demodicosis, successful treatment may take a long time, and may require regular skin scrapings to check the progress of the treatment.

Following successful treatment, is it likely to recur?

"It is important to treat as soon as a relapse occurs to minimize the possibility of developing uncontrollable problems."

Because the immune system does not mature until 12 to 18 months of age, a dog with demodectic mange may have relapses until that age. In addition, dogs with suppressed immune systems may be susceptible to relapse. It is important to treat as soon as a relapse occurs to minimize the possibility of developing uncontrollable problems. Relapses are usually recognized 3-6 months after treatment is discontinued.

By Ernest Ward, DVM; Updated by Amy Panning, DVM

Medical Conditions, Parasites, Pet Services

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mange-demodectic-in-dogs

Contributors: Ernest Ward, DVM; Updated by Amy Panning, DVM

© Copyright 2018 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.

We Can-cer-vive Cancer! #VCAHollywoodPetCancerCareCenter

Meet Apollo! This adorable 7 year old, Golden Retriever received his last chemotherapy dose last week. In October, Apollo was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma.  

Lymphoma is one of the most common types of cancer seen in dogs. It is a cancer of the immune system that occurs as a consequence of uncontrolled and abnormal growth of lymphocytes, an important cell of the immune system. 

In general, dogs with lymphoma present with multiple enlarged lymph nodes throughout the body and they tend to feel well at the time of diagnosis.  Even though lymphoma is not considered to be a curable disease (curable in <10% of cases), it is highly treatable with chemotherapy and approximately 95% of treated dogs respond to treatment and enter complete remission. 

The treatment of choice for dogs with B-cell lymphoma is chemotherapy with the CHOP protocol. CHOP is an acronym that stands for 4 drugs: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (hydroxydanorubicin), vincristine (Oncovin), and prednisone. The total protocol duration time is 15 weeks. With chemotherapy, the survival time in dogs with B-cell lymphoma is approximately 1 year. 

Apollo did great throughout his chemotherapy protocol and we will miss seeing him and his wagging tail through our VCA Hollywood Oncology Department  but we wish him the best of luck and a very long remission duration time!

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News You Can Use- Bloat!

What is gastric dilation volvulus?

If you have seen the heart wrenching movie “Marley and Me”, you may be more familiar with the disease than you think. In the story, Marley was diagnosed with a condition referred to in the movie as a “stomach twist” which is medically known as gastric dilation volvulus. The movie gave us the notion that it is a very serious disease, but doesn’t really give us much beyond that. Today, we will dive into what happens behind the scenes in the case of GDV.

What is GDV?

Gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach twists on itself and causes distension of the stomach. The stomach can twist anywhere between 90° and 360°. The torsion causes the outflow tract of the stomach (pylorus) and the esophagus (if the twist is greater than 180°) to close, kind of like twisting two ends of a Tootsie Roll. This means gas, solids, and liquids cannot enter or leave the stomach. This causes the stomach to bloat. The gas distended stomach occludes the blood vessels that lead to the heart which prevents proper blood flow and causes the pet to go into shock. If left untreated, GDV can lead to organ failure from lack of oxygen rich blood, heart arrhythmias, stomach rupture, sepsis, and death. Because there are blood vessels that connect the spleen to the stomach, the spleen is sometimes involved in the torsion.

What Causes GDVs

GDV most commonly occurs in large breed, deep chested dogs, such as the Great Dane and the Doberman. It tends to occur when dogs consume large amounts of food or water followed by exercise.

Signs to Watch For

It is assumed a dog experiencing GDV will look bloated. Though many dogs will be visibly bloated, some dogs’ stomachs are tucked up within the rib cage which would hide the bloat. Therefore, it is important to consider GDV if your pet fits the following characteristics and is showing the following signs.

●     Distended abdomen

●     Retching without vomiting 

●     Pain

●     Restlessness

●     Recently consumed a lot of food or water followed by exercise

●     Large breed and deep chested dog 

Diagnosis and Treatment

A confirmatory diagnosis is based on a right lateral (right side of patient on table) abdominal radiograph (x-ray). The radiographs will show a gas distended stomach that takes the shape of a smurf hat or Popeye’s arm.

Treatment

Decompressing the stomach and IV fluid therapy are the most important steps in treating GDV. Passing a stomach tube may be attempted, but if the esophagus is twisted, then passing a tube will not work. In those cases, puncturing the stomach with a needle (trocarization) can relieve the pressure until the surgery can be performed. Once the patient is stabilized, the dog is put under anesthesia for surgery. The stomach is first untwisted so that a stomach tube may be passed to clear the contents of the stomach. Then a procedure, called gastropexy, is performed in which the stomach is tacked to the left side of the body wall to decrease the risk of torsion in the future. 

Prevention

The gastropexy procedure mentioned above can also be performed prophylactically to decrease the risk of stomach torsion in large breed, deep chested dogs. It is actually a common procedure performed in military and police dogs. A gastropexy can be requested to be done at anytime if your pet is an at risk breed. It is often a procedure performed in conjunction with a spay or neuter.

Sometimes, It’s Not GDV

It is possible for dogs to experience bloat without torsion of the stomach in a condition called gastric dilation or simple bloat. This usually occurs in gluttonous dogs who have the tendency to eat too much, too fast. This condition, unlike GDV, is usually not life threatening. However, the pet should be immediately evaluated by a veterinarian because the symptoms are indistinguishable from GDV. As stated previously, radiographs of the abdomen can be taken for a confirmatory diagnosis.

Dr. Jalika Joyner

https://vcahospitals.com/hollywood/primary

The Five Most Common Questions about Cancer in Dogs

How common is cancer in dogs? Unfortunately, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in older animals. According to the Animal Cancer Foundation (ACF), 1 out of every 4 dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime, and each year, approximately 6 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer.

What are some of the most common cancers in dogs?
Like their human companions, dogs can develop many different types of cancer, such as mammary cancers, lymphoma, leukemia, osteosarcomas, mast cell tumors and skin cancers, to name a few. According to the Veterinary Cancer Society, mammary tumors are the most common cancer seen in dogs.

Are there diagnostic tests or exams that should be done regularly to try to detect cancer in dogs? 
To improve the chances of early cancer detection, you should take your pet to your veterinarian at least once a year. Personally, I recommend animals over 6 years of age be seen twice a year. Your veterinarian will do a complete examination, checking your dog from head to tail to look for:

• Abnormal skin growths (lumps and bumps)
• Enlarged organs or masses in your pet’s abdomen (belly)
• Abnormal heart or lung sounds, and abnormalities in the eyes, ears and mouth

These exams are important because veterinarians can discover things that you may never notice. However, not all cancers can be detected by physical examination, so your veterinarian may also recommend screening tests like blood work, urinalysis and radiographs (x-rays), to uncover underlying diseases like cancer. Depending on the age, sex and breed of your dog, your veterinarian may recommend one or all of these tests to help look for cancer.

Are some types of cancers more treatable than others? 
Yes, all cancers are different and some are more treatable than others. The type of cancer, location, size, stage and response to treatment all affect the ultimate prognosis. With many cancers, the earlier the treatment is started, the better the prognosis, and ultimately, the longer the survival times. That's why it is so important to bring your dog to the veterinarian for examinations at least once a year. 

Do chemotherapy and radiation treatments affect dogs the way they affect human cancer patients? 

While remission is the ultimate goal, quality of life is equally as important. As a result, cancer treatments in dogs are generally less aggressive than regimens used in people. Therefore, pets typically do not suffer from some of the troubling side effects seen in people, such as nausea, vomiting, hair loss and extreme fatigue. If side effects occur, your veterinarian will adjust the treatment to ensure that your pet remains as comfortable as possible.

The goal of cancer therapy in dogs, like with many other diseases, is early diagnosis and treatment. In order to give your dogs the best odds of beating cancer, make sure your dog gets regular check-ups, take advantage of recommended screening tests, and become familiar with the common signs and symptoms of cancer in pets so you can look-out for them at home. If you want to know more about cancer, speak with your veterinarian and visit Veterinary Cancer Society or Animal Cancer Foundation 

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Originally posted by Dr. Ruth MacPete, DVM @http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/five-most-common-questions-about-cancer-dogs

We Can-cer-vive Cancer! - #VCAHollywoodPetCancerCareCenters

 

Oscar is a 10 year old Shih Tzu that was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma on September 23, 2019.


Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates from the abnormal growth of lymphocytes, an important cell of the immune system. Lymphoma in dogs most commonly affects the lymph nodes, but it can also affect the lymphatics within the intestinal tract. Although intestinal lymphoma is not a disease that can be cured, treatment with chemotherapy can help keep the cancer at bay for a period of time, prolong their lifetime, and most importantly, greatly improve their quality of life.




Oscar underwent 15 weeks of chemotherapy with the *CHOP protocol and received his last chemotherapy treatment today! He did great throughout his chemotherapy protocol and experienced minimal to no side effects.

He's our little trooper and a chemo rock star! We are so proud of him and will miss seeing him through our Oncology Service.  We wish he and his family the best of luck!




VCA Hollywood's Oncology Department applies a team approach to cancer care using the strength & expertise of all of our on site specialists Surgery, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Dermatology, Radiology and Emergency & Critical Care departments to provide the very best care

Dr. Vazquez joined our team in July of 2019 after completing her Oncology Residency at Auburn Univeristy. For Dr. Vazquez, the most important thing in dogs and cats after a diagnosis of cancer is that  treatment is focused on improvement of their quality of life.






* CHOP is the 'gold standard' of  treatment for dogs with multicentric lymphoma consists of a multi-agent, CHOP-based chemotherapy protocol incorporating several injectable and oral drugs given on a more-or-less weekly basis for a period of several months.

We are one global family!!

"We are one global VCA family and we will work together to help all those pets in need"

       - Brandon Antin VCA,VP of Corporate Affairs

Over the past two months, over 12 million acres have burned throughout Australia, specifically in the states of Queensland and New South Wales. This wildfire does not seem to be slowing down and VCA  had to ask, how we can help pets and animals who are directly affected?

Throughout the month of January, all funds donated at any VCA Animal Hospital and on VCACharities.org will go directly to veterinary animal welfare organizations assisting in the Australia Wildfires.

Direct donations can be made by going directly to www.vcacharities.org/donations.

When a disaster like this strikes, we all want to help right away. Funds raised will go directly to organizations on the ground that will be there long after the media stops focusing on it.

Our parent company, Mars Pet Nutrition has already donated over $200,000 of dog and cat food to fire-affected pet families in Victoria and southern New South Wales through local Pet Rescue organizations. In addition to this, extra stock has been added to their FoodBank donations in response to increased demand for pet food in certain areas of Australia.

"We are one global VCA family and we will work together to help all those pets in need"

  - Brandon Antin VCA,VP of Corporate Affairs

News You Can Use- HeatStroke!

Here in sunny south Florida, the summer heat isn’t just generally uncomfortable, it can also be very dangerous for your dog.

Heatstroke (hyperthermia) occurs when the body gets overheated and cannot be cooled by your pet’s normal cooling mechanisms such as panting.

We see heat stroke commonly in our furry friends this time of year. If not treated promptly, this condition can lead to severe sickness, shock, and even death.

So here’s what you need to know!

When does heatstroke occur?

We commonly see heatstroke in the summer when dogs have been outside for long periods of time, often with no access to shade or water. Other high risks for heatstroke include exercising in the summer heat of Florida or leaving pets in vehicles.

What does heatstroke look like?

Signs of heatstroke might include an excessive increase in panting, increased salivation, bright red gums and tongue or pale gums and tongue, and/or weakness and depression. Further signs of vomiting and diarrhea are signs of shock syndrome and indicate that heatstroke has progressed. If treatment is not sought, organ failure and death follow these signs.

I think my pet has heatstroke, now what?

Heatstroke is an emergency situation and your pet should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible!

However, first, you can wet your dog’s paw pads and ears with room temperature water, cover him with a wet towel, and get him in space with a fan or AC. Do not use cold water or ice as the temperature difference can cause more severe shock.

Then, he should be brought to the nearest emergency hospital where he can be monitored and treated for life threatening complications associated with heatstroke such as bleeding disorders and shock.

In instances of heatstroke, the sooner we can intervene, the better the outcome!

Tips to safely enjoy the dog days of summer!

-       Always keep water available if you plan to exercise your furry friend or be outside for long periods of time

-       Try to avoid outside activity during the hottest hours of the day

-       Never leave your pet in a car without air conditioning. A car becomes extremely hot, extremely quickly!

Jenna Cardillo, DVM

https://vcahospitals.com/hollywood/primary/team/jenna-cardillo