Does demodectic mange affect my rescue dog's long-term immune system?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Congratulations on adopting a new dog. Is the mange currently being treated with an oral product such as Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica or Credelio? Demodex mites are found on virtually all dogs, but it does take a suppressed immune system for them to overpopulate and cause an infection. If the mange is already being treated and your own dog is otherwise healthy, the risk *should* be fairly low. If you have any further questions or concerns I would recommend reaching to your regular veterinarian on how to proceed. Good luck!

Poor thing! It sounds like his immune system is really compromised. I would recommend an antibiotic for the pyoderma as well as a probiotic. Often skin health is linked to gut health and when you use antibiotics for certain infections you kill some good bacteria as well which makes taking a probiotic important. I would also recommend oral Nexguard or Bravecto for the demodex. Although Amitraz has long been used, I think your dogs reaction is secondary to the effects of Amitraz on the natural flora of his skin. It is important with disorders of the immune system to ensure he is on a good, high quality diet, and resides in a low stress environment. I hope this helps!

Generic mange, demodex, cannot be cured. However with appropriate treatment you can get rid of all the symptoms and never know she had it. As shebages, she does have potential to exhibit the signs again ifbshe gets sick or stressed but it is easy to control. It is not contagious and these puppies do very well. I would.l not let this stop you from getting her!!

It depends on what kind of mange they have. Sarcoptic mange (also called scabies) is contagious to other dogs as well as humans, so it's common for multiple dogs in a household to be affected. Demodectic mange, on the other hand, is not contagious and is normally inherited or caused by an immune deficiency of some kind. In that case, unless the dogs are all related, there is no good reason why three dogs in the same household would have this problem. I'm not sure if the dogs have actually been diagnosed with mange by a veterinarian - but if not, I would definitely recommend a vet check. There are many things besides mange that can cause itching and hair loss in dogs, including allergies, fleas, or a bacterial or fungal skin infection, which can often affect multiple dogs in the same house.

Good question! What I tend to see in practice is that these rescue dogs are very stressed from previous poor nutrition, being in a shelter, and then usually surgery. Their immune system is weak and they get any infection they are exposed to. The existing family dogs are usually well fed and healthy. Some do get these infections, but many are able to fight them off and either never get sick or only have very mild signs. Of course I would be vigilant about monitoring for any signs but I would also be optimistic that he could remain healthy! Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from the photos, it appears that the demodex is becoming less severe and the head is in the process of healing with all of the scabs present. If the hair does not grow back and it seems like the demodex is still there, I would try other medications such as Fluralaner (Bravecto) or Afoxolaner (Nexgard). If Tyson is not on an antibiotic right now, it might help him as well as washing him in a Benzoyl Peroxide shampoo twice weekly. I hope this helps and that Tyson recovers fully soon! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

If it is a local demodex and resolves fully, you can likely still breed her. However, if she does not respond well to treatment or continues to have it as an adult I would not breed her. I hope this helps!