I had a female dog who had puppies and never got her milk in.

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I had a female dog who had puppies and never got her milk in. The pups were bottle fed but remained with mom despite her lack of milk. So far one of the pups has developed demodectic mange. Neither the mother of the pups or the father of the pups or the dam's mother ever had mange as I raised them from small pups. Is it possible that the pups immune system was compromised as a result of not receiving any immunity from the dam? Could this have enabled the mites to migrate off the dam onto the pup and .develop into mange due to a lowered immune system which allowed the mites to breed unchecked and in turn compromised the immune system further?

In addition, is there a way of killing the mites that live on an unaffected dog thus preventing the transfer to pups?

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Age: <1; Male; Breed: rottweiler

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Mange mites are a parasite and really don't have a lot to do with immune systems. Sort of like a perfectly healthy and fit human can still get scabies (which is the human name for 'mange' Images available only to Customers.

Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it.

You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.

Reply to TheCaretaker's Post: The type of mite has been determined by a skin scraping and diagnosis is Demodectic mange. Most dogs have these mites living on them with no adverse affect. Almost every thing I've read about this states that in some puppies the mites gain the upper hand and breed out of control resulting in hair loss, scabs and scaly skin. It is believed that puppies that develop demodectic mange have an underdeveloped or immosuppressed immune system. There are also many websites that state that they believe there may be a genetic predisposition towards developing demodectic mange.

However, neither parent of the puppy in question nor the dam's mother has had mange. Thus my questions about how the pups immune system might have been suppressed and how to rid my adults who have no symptoms of the mites altogether. The puppies are in their new homes and one so far has contacted me about this.

I'm always very happy to find owners not just involved, but determined and smart. Here is the info I think you're looking for to complete what you've already found and make the decisions that are right for you and your companions.

Demodectic Mange (Demodicosis) is, as you obviously know, a type of follicular mites causing demodicosis. These are present, usually in small numbers, on many animal species including the dog and cat.

The life cycle of this spider mite is 18 - 24 days from the time the eggs are laid (usually deep in the hair follicle where the larvae develops) right to adulthood.

Puppies frequently contract this mite from their mother.

In the localized form, young dogs have one to several areas of hair loss, most commonly around the eyes and muzzle with erythema (rash) and scaling.

The generalized form includes the hair loss, scaling, rash, but often include pruritus (itching) and a secondary infection of bacteriologic origin. It should be checked for staphylococcal pyoderma as well.

Many canine forms will clear up on their own. Weekly use of parasite-dips, shampoos or lotions may help speed it up.

Prognosis for Generalized Demodicosis is not always promising (but costly). It may depend on the owner's cooperation in administering treatments offered and whether or not there's a genetic link.

In dogs under a year old, half will self-cure. Another factor that counts for resolution is the status of the immune system and other possible underlying conditions.

Immunosuppression associated with some neoplastic processes or disease such as (malignant) lymphosarcoma or melanoma, hyperadrenalcorticism, hypothyroidism, diabetes, Cushings Disease and so on must be ruled out as contributory.

Treatment with Mitaban@ (Amitraz) dip often works (FDA approves .025%; however, it has been administered in up to .125% in controlled veterinary environments, studies and trials). When treated without fail, as directed, mites should not appear in scrapings at 4 weeks after last treatment. It could take a few months to treat and scrapings should be done monthly.

Increasing concentration and frequency of Amitraz is generally done before administering oral options. Milbemycin Oxime or Ivermectin are popular Rx's (once a day x 60 to 90 days).

Again, secondary infections should be considered and also treated.

Since Juvenile onset Generalized Demodicosis is hereditary, neither sire nor dam of affected litters should ever be bred.

(References: Department of Diagnostic Medicine-Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; US Dept of Agriculture; others)

Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it.

You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.

Reply to TheCaretaker's Post: I appreciate the time you have taken to attempt to answer my question. However, I'm already aware of the things you have been saying.

I guess my question needs a person very familiar with the immune system in canines. I'll try and simplify it even further.

Did the pup's lack of receiving Colostrum from the Dam contribute SIGNIFICANTLY to the puppy later developing demodectic mange?

Hi Jane,

I think I understand what you are asking, and I will clarify some things that have been posted.

First, from what I learned in vet school, puppies get demodex from their dam. Period. Just from being in close contact with her. That is how all dogs get the demodex they have than normally lives on their skin....dam to puppy.

In puppies, it is suspected that a poor/weak/developing immune system is what allows these mites to overgrow and cause clinical symptoms. Many times it is a hereditary problem. This developing immune system causes them to be prone to many problems like vaginits, pyoderma, urinary infections, etc, when they are puppies. I see demodectic mange a lot in certain breeds (pitbulls, shepherds and the mixes of course). These problems don't happen in all puppies, of course. With your puppies, there is a distinct possibility that the fact that they never got any of mom's milk may have contributed to their getting demodex. Puppies that drink mother's milk tend to be healthier and more robust for sure. However, the great majority of puppies I see with demodex did have mother's milk, and often there was no mange in the sire/dam, so sometimes, it is just one of those "juvenile" things. Since your pups did not have the advantage of mother's milk, I would assume this may have contributed to their problem with demodex.

I hope this answered your question, please let me know if I can help further!

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JustAnswer > Pet Health

demodectic mange

Puppies frequently contract this mite from their mother.

In the localized form, young dogs have one to several areas of hair loss, most commonly around the eyes and muzzle with erythema (rash) and scaling.

The generalized form includes the hair loss, scaling, rash, but often include pruritus (itching) and a secondary infection of bacteriologic origin. It should be checked for staphylococcal pyoderma as well.

Many canine forms will clear up on their own. Weekly use of parasite-dips, shampoos or lotions may help speed it up.

Prognosis for Generalized Demodicosis is not always promising (but costly). It may depend on the owner's cooperation in administering treatments offered and whether or not there's a genetic link.

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