From what I see looking back through this thread, you opted for the dip to treat the mange ? If that's the case, what expectations did the vet give you regarding improvement ? I'm worried for you on this and just want to make sure that things start turning around as expected.
The vet pretty much told me that the dip wouldn't work because it was around his eye. She wanted to give him another kind of medicine (I'll have to ask for the name, because I forgot it), but collie breeds don't always have a nice reaction to it. I would spring for the test kit mentioned in an earlier post, but like I said, I'm flat broke and need every penny I have for medicine. Besides the dip and the medicine is Interceptor. Smudge is already on Interceptor, but it would be a much higher dose than what he is on now. She wanted to try the dip first, because the dip was only $20, and the Interceptor is going to cost me over $180 a month. Not sure how long he would have to take it though. I am considering calling the vet tomorrow and asking for an appointment earlier than expected. This last little patch that showed up pretty much blossomed over night. I don't want it to keep spreading, because he can go blind!
Before this happened I foolishly spent most of the money my parents gave me. I used it to pay for this semester's college class and book, two pair of shoes, and a bunch of grooming supplies for Smudge. I only have $280 in my bank account, and that has to last me for another week and a half. If the Interceptor is going to be $180, I'm afraid if she gives him something else I won't have the money to pay for it. I have a credit card, but the vet's office does not accept the kind of credit card I have. They expect payment in full everytime you go. They've had lots of problems with people not paying for their bills. I'm thinking about calling my mom and asking if I can use her checkbook and I'll pay her the money back when she gets home.
Also, his eye was part of the reason Smudge got fixed. The vet said as long as he was not fixed I ran the risk of infecting any possible puppies Smudge might have with a stray female dog. She also said that while not being fixed didn't cause his mange, it wouldn't help it. She said not being fixed could put a lot of stress and excitment on him that he didn't need and could cause a flare up of his mange.
So, yeah. I still have two other medicine options, it's just finding the money to pay for it. I'm going to apply for another credit card that the vet accepts so that I won't have this problem again. It could take a while before I actually get the card though.