Ruby-Boston Terrier
Ruby first visited Animal Health Services in September 2007. Ruby had been living with Demodex mites since 6 months of age. Symptoms of this condition include excessive itching and extreme hair loss.
Demodectic mange is caused by a microscopic mite called Demodex Canis. All dogs raised normally by their mothers possess this mite as mites are transferred from mother to pup via cuddling during the first few days of life. The mites live inside hair follicles and are normal residents of dog skin; it is only in some individual dogs that mites cause problems. Demodex mites are not transmitted to people or other dogs except from mother dog to pup as described. Adult onset only occurs when there is a problem with the immune system so a thorough exam is necessary to find the underlying disease.
After a thorough blood workup to check her internal organ function and skin scrapes to visualize the microscopic Demodex mites, weekly spa therapy sessions and Ivermectin were prescribed. From October to December 2007, Ruby was treated for a broken jaw (mandible) requiring anesthesia and repair (adding to stress on her immune system).
After a short relapse, Ruby is back on schedule and is experiencing steady hair growth. She did experience pruritus (itchiness) during the initial hair growth, this is due to the fact that healing skin can be very itchy.
At her last recheck in 2/08 Ruby had no mites seen on a skin scrape and with one more negative skin scrape we will be able to discontinue Ivermectin while continuing therapeutic spa treatments to restore her skin and coat to a healthy state.
Supervising veterinarians, Dr. Lisa Lannen DVM. and Dr. Prevatt DVM. Pet Aesthetician, Michelle Knowles.