here is a short article on immune system support:
http://b-naturals.com/Jan2002.php

you can get most vitamins/supplements at local health food stores.

liz

Sometimes it simply takes time and maturity for the immune system to be at its peak.

Jay

How much of the supplement should i give her and where do i get it from???

nm

Both of these are old time remedies for skin problems and I always try one of them before I go to the vet with a skin problem. A lot of times one or the other along with Gold Bond Medicated powder will do the trick and save you some monies.
As for spraying it to get rid of sick odor I have never tried that but as long as it doesn't get in the eyes I would think it is OK. When any of mine get sick I just wipe down with some water with Spic & Span plus a little Clorox in it. Clorox kills any germs, my vet uses it to clean his offices.

her immune system just needs to pickup a bit, any reason why she may be stressed?

vitamin c, vitamin e, & salmon oil are all great for the immune system & skin. start w/ one supplement 1 week, then add the next, then the next...so in 3 weeks she is on everything.

once her immune system picks up, the area will go away. forget about those toxic dips/chemicals, they do nothing but suppress the immune system even further.

liz

The dog I had it was NOT localize, but all over. She had a very, very bad case of it. I still would think even if it's localized it needs treated.

Since he told you it was demodex, to wait and see if it clears up on its own does not sound right. You're bully will more than likely end up with very bad sores that end up infected without treatment. Experience talking. I had a German Shep year ago with it and it was horrible. From what I hear, a lot of cases the immune system of the dog generally improves with age and demodex clears up and can stay gone. However, with this German Shep I had, her immune system was very, very poor and not matter what I did the demodex kept return. If it's demodectic mange, it needs treated now... Don't wait. It is very painful for the dog too.

Good luck!
Shelley

today. She had her rabies shot like three days after she turned 6 months. I dont have her on any supplements. she eats about 2 1.2 -3 cups of adult chicken soup for the dog lovers soul. Before we switched her to the adult she was on the puppy formula. Switched her over about a month ago, b/c she had started to limp alot, so they vet suggested the switch to adult. She had a few spots when we got her on her foot but the vet did do a scrap then and with the light and found nothing, they cleared up and he said it was probably just rough housing with the other dog.

What does apple cider vinegar do? Is this something I could spray in Brutus' kennel when he gets sick to help with the smell?

I dont want to use anything to aggravate his skin

Allison and Brutus

The vet probably used the light to see if it was ringworm, which is contagious. The only way Demodex can be diagnosed, as you've been old, is by a scraping and micropscope exam. If everythign else seems ok, waiting to see what happens is no big deal, as long as you do[t see it spreading dramatically. Take a picture, if you can, just so you have a point of reference. The areas you describe are typical for the first place you'd notice. Questions .. I haven't been on enoguh lately to know about Sumo. How old is she ? Did she have a rabies vac before 6 mo of age ? Is she on nutritional supplements ?

It is possible that it is from wrestling around with your other dog. Using a cotton ball dab all the spots with apple cider vinegar, let dry then dust with Gold Bond Medicated powder being careful not to get it in the eyes. Do not change the food if her digestion and elimination is OK as when you start changing food you can get other problems.

another vet. Her regular bully vet. Especially before we treat her. I hate to put her through the dipping if it isnt needed.

that the vet can determine it is demodex by looking under a light and scraping w/his fingernail....no disrespect meant to your vet.
Gretta went thru demodex...and I treated it w/liquid ivermectin...but I would not do that again.
She has had skin issues recently..and the vet thought it was a reoccurence of demodex because she has been so stressed...they did a deep skin scrape and found no issues...and were very, very surprised..and they are very experienced w/this stuff.

It turns out that she has a bacterial skin infection that is being treated.

Just my .02

I have been reading now about it and too saw that it can go away if it is has not spread to the rest of her body. It is on her face and her neck but no where else on her body. He looked under a light and scrapped it with his nail. Nothing more. He said that it usually goes away if it is going to within 4-6 wks hair will start to regrow.

Your vet should have taken a scraping because that is how that diagnosis is confirmed. They are very specific looking mites. Annie had it when she was a pup. She had a small spot on her back, which is a localized reaction. YES it can go away on its own if it is localized and stays localized. i would suggest you go on the internet and read all about Demodetic Mange. I didn't believe much of what our vet told us and his original advice was to read up on it on the internet. He said as long as it is localized and not spreading, we should just watch it because the dips etc. are insecticides and can be harmful to the dog. We changed Annie to a higher quality dog food and started giving her Pet Tabs. Usually the immune system is too immature to successfully fight when they are so young. Annie's did go away and has not returned. You must decide what is best for your dog.

he should have taken a skin scraping in a couple of areas to confirm it and then you have to bathe the dog with special shampoo and put on some ointment I think....
Goodwinol rings a bell with me...
but it does not go away by it self by anymeans...
Good news is that it is not contagious to other dogs and most dogs are born with demodex mites on them from the mother but don't get full blown case of demodectic mange...
I'd go to another vet unless you misunderstood the one you went to...She needs a skin scraping for confirmation.
Good luck...it is yucky but curable and there are no ill effects or noticeable effects after she is done and hair has grown back.
Lorraine Eyth