Thanks RosCole, Unfortunately I have to wait to find out what sort it is. The genetic kind of Mange is Demodectic mange (sometimes called Red Mange), which is caused by a genetic inability of the dogs immune system to control a mite called Demodex Canis. The mite is caught from the mother in the first few days of life. This apprarently can get very bad if untreated and can lead to almost total hairloss and skin involvement. This is not considered infectious to other dogs.
The other, in this case probably the one, is called Sarcoptic Mange and is caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei canis. A burrowing mite that causes a secondary infection leading to the itching. This is highly infectious and the dog should be issolated until the vet says so. All other dogs and cats who have been in contact should also be treated. This is a simmilar mite to the one that causes Scabies in humans.
God bless the internet!!!!
Both kinds are extreamly distressing for both dog and owner. I am waiting for the end of the antibiotics for the vet to do a skin scaping to find out for sure which one it is. This apparently determins the treatment.
Wilst I agree with you 100% that we should not do the vets job on here I do think that seeking the views of experienced beagle owners is equally as important, as it allows you to ask informed and iteligent questions of your vet.
In this commercial world, altough I don't believe any vet, french or otherwise, would let it effect thier judgment whilst treating our dogs, they will addon unessesary products in an attempt to recover some of their ever increasing running costs.
Faith in ones vet is cruicial when taking the role of advocate for your dog and sometimes that faith is lost. When that happens surely we should be able to seek simmilar experience on here as a way of keeping check and I suppose a bit of control over the situation.
Any responsible person would surely aggree that any information gained on the internet should be treated with an air of caution. Whether thats for your dog or yourself!
But the right and responsibility to question and choose is, as owners, ours to take without blindly going ahead!
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