demodex

                                          DEMODEX

           note: this article was copied from
           boxerbarn kennels with permission

  For those of you who are unfamiliar with demodex I am
adding this to my website so there is a better understanding of
just what demodex is. It is also called Red Mange but I would
rather not refer to it as that since most people tend to freak
when hearing the word Mange.

  Demodex is very, very common in boxers. More so in Pitt
Bulls and Dobermans. Most buyers are not aware of this so I
am here to open the door to a better understanding of it. I will
try and explain it as best I can. Please remember this is my
opinion and demodex is somewhat of a mystery as to how some
pups get it and others do not. I have been in contact with a
couple of breeders lately and they have either purchased pups
that have the demodex mite or have had call backs on pups with
demodex even though their bitches never showed signs of
demodex. It seems to be turning up in high numbers right now
so this is why I want to make everyone aware of it. I currently
have a female that I got from another breeder that has been
diagnosed with Demodex. She has been eliminated from our
breeding program but not from our hearts. Most vets will tell
you that breeding a female with demodex is not acceptable.
Some breeders will watch the level of the demodex and if it's not
a huge outbreak and clears up on it's own (without any kind of
treatment), they will continue to breed their bitch. I chose not
to but that is my choice and I am not condemning anyone by this
comment. A bitch may have 6 litters in her lifetime and never
throw a pup with demodex until her 6th litter. I have come to
the conclusion that the only way to cure demodex would be to
eliminate the boxer breed altogether or all other breeds that are
susceptible to it. I think you all know, this is not going to
happen!!!!! So.....if the boxer breed is the breed for you, then
please be prepared to possibly deal with this issue.

  All dogs have the demodex mites and pups will acquire the
mites from their mother after birth. It is believed that if a pup
has a weak/low immune system (When this happens in puppies, I
believe we are dealing with a low immune system verses a weak
immune system and that is when the demodex mite attacks. Just
as when a human immune system is low and contracts the
common cold or flu) the mites attack the pups skin follicles and
causes hair loss. Demodex in puppies will normally break out
around 5-6 months old and as late as 10 months old.

  What to look for?   If your pup has a visible spot of hair loss,
on the back, face, under neck (usually turns red if under the
neck) or legs, you should then bring your pup into your
veterinarian and have a skin scraping done. This will tell you if
you need to treat your dog. The sooner you treat with Mitaban,
Ivomectin and anti bacterial shampoo, the less hair loss the pup
will have. I've been told that using just Ivomectin orally for 90
days is very effective.

  What causes this?    It's believed to be STRESS......Good
stress/bad stress. It is not life threatening and once treated it
will normally never reappear. It is not contagious and other pets
in the home cannot get it. Even though humans do have mites,
this can rarely be transmitted to humans.

Please click on the link below to find out more about demodex.



Note: this article is not meant to scare you, it is just to inform you of something
that is sometimes a problem with the boxer breed, MY boxers donot have or show
signs of this, I have been hearing about in it the boxer community lately and
thought it merited being mentioning.