Skin Problem

[Tucker]

Over the years on Beagle World I have heard of several puppies with mange. It is nothing to do with you or the way you care for them, it is a virus. If treated, it should go away and he will be fine.

[RobChapman]

Originally Posted by Tucker

Over the years on Beagle World I have heard of several puppies with mange. It is nothing to do with you or the way you care for them, it is a virus. If treated, it should go away and he will be fine.

It's not a virus, it's a parasite, and a very infectious one at that. Thanks for your comment but please get you facts right. I am too concerned about my dog for ill thought out, inaccurate and insensitive comments.

If you are going to comment in this section please be sure of your facts because you will further distress some already distaught beagle owners.

Though I do not doubt your love for your own beagle/s please be a bit more sensitive!!!!

Rob

[ljas]

From what I have read, scabies can trigger allergies in dogs. If the antihistamine is helping, why not continue it?

[RobChapman]

Originally Posted by ljas

From what I have read, scabies can trigger allergies in dogs. If the antihistamine is helping, why not continue it?

Thats my feeling too!!!

[kathiam]

Originally Posted by RobChapman

I can't believe I am telling you my dog has Mange. I dont want to beleive it myself.
Rob

I can only imagine what you are going through, but sharing your story is what helps not only yourself but others as well. It is always better to talk about things that upset you and can be helpful to others who may not know much about it and may even help others catch it earlier.

That is what is helpful about having a forum such as this. It gives us all a place to get 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and more opinions, thoughts and ideas. As for the anihistimine I would just say go with your gut instinct. If it seems to be helping then keep up with it. I hope that he gets better soon!

[kutyuska]

I agree with you kathiam ! That's why this is a forum!

[RobChapman]

Thank you for your kind words. I am so pleased I found this website. I never thought of myself as particularly soft but the level of frustration this episode has caused for my dog and me has caught me completely off guard!

In his sort 5 month life we have developed such a bond that I can almost feel the intense itching and, strangely, I think if it had been a broken leg or something serious I would deal with it much better.

It's because it something simple and I can’t make it better for him right away that is getting to me.

Also, I feel I really must apologise to Tucker for being so short tempered last night. It was nice of you to help and I was rude! It was the frustration not your words I was reacting too! But in a way it was good therapy so please accept my apologies and thank you for allowing me to vent!!!

Onwards and Upwards

Rob

[RosCole]

Folks, please remember this is a forum for beagle owners who love their dogs very much. We are not vets and therefore cannot diagnose any illness/issue based on posts. We can only share our opinions and experiences.

A definitive answer regarding a medical issue should only be accepted from a licensed vet.

Now, that being said, Roscoe had mange at a very early age (4mos) and we learned that it is genetic. Easily treatable, his cleared up only after a week or two!

[kathiam]

Originally Posted by RosCole

Folks, please remember this is a forum for beagle owners who love their dogs very much. We are not vets and therefore cannot diagnose any illness/issue based on posts. We can only share our opinions and experiences.

A definitive answer regarding a medical issue should only be accepted from a licensed vet.

I agree totally I think an important part of the forum is being able get a multitude of opinions, thoughts, and ideas. I liken it to having something myself and what I would do. For example I have allergies so I have spent time researching about allergies, talked to others who have them to find out what medications they use as well as other ways they have of relieving symptoms, and then took all that information and discussed it with my doctor to find out what was right for me.

That is the same way we should all approach the forum. Take everything with a grain of salt, always consult your vet if it is a health issue, and of course don't forget to take time to stop and enjoy all Beagles. They are the reason we are here and with each post I find myself falling in love with all the Beagles and their different characteristics.

[RobChapman]

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!