[Zookeep]

I am so frustrated and worried about our newest addition to our pack. We adopted a hound mix, Ellie, from a shelter about 4 months ago. Within a week we noticed a raging skin infection on her lower belly. Her skin was also very pink on her belly. After several trips to the vet, and three different antibiotics, the vet did a skin biopsy and sent it to Cornell Vet School. The results were that she had atypical demodectic mange and a secondary MRSA skin infection. The dermatologist at Cornell cultured the bacteria and found that it was not resistant to clindamycin, and a couple of other antibiotics.

She as been on clindamycin, and daily doses of ivermectin 1% at 0.6ml orally (she is 50 pounds) for about 3 weeks. In the last couple of days, her belly has become very pink again, and the infection is returning. She has a bunch of pimples on her lower belly. I can't understand how she could still have this infection after three weeks on the antibiotic the vet said would work. There are two other antibiotics the vet said would work, but one has GI side effects, and the other cannot be touched for some reason.

I know it is important to make sure she has good nutrition. We have her on Premium Edge and give her an occasional dog vitamin supplement.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the ivermectin to start working? Any thoughts on why the infection would return after three weeks on the antibiotics?

 

[Willowy]

MRSA is, by definition, antibiotic resistant. It may have mutated to become resistant to the clindamycin, too. Let the vets know it's coming back--they'll probably give her one of the other antibiotics that the culture said would work.

As for the demodex, what are the symptoms? You should be seeing improvement with that already.

I would give her a good probiotic, too. The antibiotics must be doing some terrible things to her tummy, and there's some speculation that probiotics boost immunity as well.

 

[Zookeep]

Thanks, I called the vet today. She said I need to give the clindamycin and ivermectin more time to work. She gave me another three weeks worth of clindamycin.

I think the symptoms of the demodex are the pink skin. She also has a few spots of thinning fur. but no bald spots. The vet called the demodex "atypical", and I don't know what makes it atypical. I have searched for "atypical demodex" and have not been able to find anything. I think by "atypical" she was just covering for the fact that she missed the diagnosis for several visits, but it could mean that it doesn't present the usual symptoms.

Her food has probiotics added to it, but do you think I should give her more? Where do I get those?

 

[Willowy]

It may be that the demodex wasn't causing any trouble until the staph infection showed up. All dogs have demodex mites on them; it's only when the dog is weakened that the mites can build to troublesome levels. The demodex showed up on the skin scrape, naturally, but it doesn't sound like that's the main problem here. Keep doing what the vet says--those antibiotic resistant bacteria can be such a pain .

You can get probiotics (sold for humans but will work for dogs too) at any health-food store. The refrigerated kind are more potent. For an average size dog I'd give half a human dose. You can't really overdose, and dosing is more of an art than anything, so experiment a bit to see what works for her.

 

[oldhounddog]

Zookeep ,

You have received good advice from the above DF members.

General info:

Ivermectin 1% therapeutic dose range for Demodex treatment in dogs that I am familiar with is 300 to 600 mcg. per kg.
Many Vet will start with a very low dose to see if dog tolerates the Ivermectin well.
Stop treatment and call Vet if any signs of toxic reaction to Ivermectin : May see staggering, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, or dilated pupils.


1 ml. Ivomec 1% contains 10 mg Ivermectin or 10,000 mcg. (micrograms)

.1 ml. Ivomec 1% contains 1 mg Ivermectin or 1,000 mcg.

So your dose of .6 ml Ivermectin 1% contains 6000 mcg of Ivermectin 1%.

50 lbs dog divided by 2.2 = 22.75 kg , so , 22.75kg dog weight x 300mcg = 6825 mcg or .68 ml Ivermectin for lower end of therapeutic dose range. The dose you are on is light and your Vet may increase the dose if mange does not start to resolve.

Treatment for Demodex can take many weeks or a few months to resolve. Be patient.

I have had good results treating Demodex with Ivermectin 1%.

Best , oldhounddog