d-mange

[general606]

I'm new to this forum, so I figured I'd ask for advice. Our 8 month old silver lab - General - has just been diagnosed with genetic mange. He has all the medicines and shampoos the vet had to offer, but what is a really good, effective natural remedy for his itching? The poor thing is scratching like crazy! I feel so helpless!

[bett]

Silver labs, or what are called silver labs, are known to have all sorts of skin I issues. I would consult a dermatologist, if googling doesn't give you what you need. Please let us know what you find out.

[Sophiesmama]

There really isn't such a thing as a silver lab. They are chocolates with a diluted gene. I have heard that they can have skin issues. From what I have read, the d-mange you refer to is caused by a mite, and is spread from the mother to the pup. The mite has to be killed out before you can address the symptoms. there is a wealth of information if you google genetic mange in dogs. I'm curious, is your dog a rescue?

[2LabsMom]

This makes me wonder are diluted colors (pure bred or not) more likely for some reason to have skin issues, we have a Dane and it seems a lot are posted about blues?
I don't know anything about genetic Mange...I hope you find some relief...poor pup!

[kassabella]

My rescued chocolate girl has yeast problems with her skin not mange, but I would guess mange is just as hard to deal with. As much as I hate having to use steriods and other vets stuff I decided to go with what they advice and get it under control before I tried home remedies.

I know what it is like have a mossy bite, so to be that itchy must be torture for them.

I think it is better to treat and keep under control as much as you can before it gets out of hand as Tessas did.
Good thoughts you can get it under control soon.

[general606]

Thanks for suggestions. We did not get him as a rescue. We got him from people claiming to be dog breeders, and shame on us for not checking them out first. Even with the medicines from the vet, he seems to be getting worse! We start the bath treatments tonight, so hopefully that will give him some relief!

[Tanya]

This makes me wonder are diluted colors (pure bred or not) more likely for some reason to have skin issues, we have a Dane and it seems a lot are posted about blues?
I don't know anything about genetic Mange...I hope you find some relief...poor pup!

You would have to look at breeds were this color is natural to really know. Silver is not a recognized color so breeders going for this color in a Labrador are unethical to begin with as they are going against the breed dstandars - and very few look at ttemperment and health when picking dogs to breed - they look at color alone. When you do this you end up with more health issues for sure.

[YellowJakesMom]

Demodectic mange is almost never itchy. Any chance he has sarcoptic mange?

[Baloo317]

Yes dilute colors (danes, minpins, dobes, etc) are more prone to skin issues, but demodex is an immune issue, not a skin issue. And this is certainly not a question where the ethics of silver labs are appropriate, this is a health question.

I would agree with the above and wonder about sarcoptic mange, or maybe a secondary bacterial infection. My Peanut had d-mange as a baby and was only ever itchy when she developed a secondary bacterial infection, which was often, due to her compromised immune state.

[general606]

The vet did do a skin scrape, and it came back as demodectic. I probably should have given the info that he also has a staph infection, which is causing the itching and his slight odor.