Sheltie with a black eye.

Called the vet this morning. She said that spreading was nothing to worry about. I was told the dip hasn't had time to fully work yet (it hasn't even been a week yet). She said for me to bring him back on Sept. 2nd, and they would do another dip. So this is good news for me. $20 (instead of $180 for Interceptor and $30 to get in to see the vet) is a lot better than what I thought was going to happen. By the way, I did call my mom and she was going to loan me money until I could pay her back. So even if Smudge has to have an expensive treatment, she will help me. I'm still going to apply for that other credit card though. I have a hard time getting financial help of any kind because I still live at home with my parents.

I'm not sure I have this straight, but it sounds to me like you took Smudge in about his eye, and instead of fixing that, she talked you into getting Smudge fixed. I'm not too keen on BYB, but now you still have the problem that you first brought him in for. I would have thought you could wait awhile on the neutering and get his sickness taken care of first.

Perhaps you could call around to another Vet and see if they will take your current charge card?

The vet I go to has very good people in it. I went to school with some of the people that work there, and I have worked at another job with some. My uncle takes his dog there, and when I was looking for one to go to he said I should try that one. Believe me, if I thought they were doing something shady only to make money I'd snap Smudge up in a heartbeat and we'd find another one. :yes: You won't find nicer people at any other vet's office.

The reason Smudge was fixed was for a few reasons. The vet thought it would help with his current condition. She said it would help take stress off of him (the stress could cause mange flare ups). I was going to get him fixed in October or November anyway. It is a little young (he's only 4 1/2 months), but it's indirectly helping him with his mange. She gave him the dip, because she said we would try something cheaper first and then try something else if the dip didn't work. Usually when something is wrong with Smudge (or I think something is wrong) I research it like crazy. I haven't had time to do that yet, so I still don't understand mange. I only know that it causes hair loss, and it could cause him blindness. I can, however, tell you everything you never wanted to know about the tape worm life cycle. :lol:
 
So, after finding out yesterday that I wouldn't have to take Smudge to the vet for another week I decided to throw him a party. Using stuff we already had at the house, I "made" :rolleyes2: him a cake.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=8700248&l=c1a4726201&id=611815429

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=8700253&l=9cfaa7e6a7&id=611815429

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=8700250&l=9b8841651b&id=611815429

Also, for anybody else going through the same thing I am, I found this website. I like sites from this guy because he doesn't use fancy words that confuse people. So somebody like me can understand it. :lol: Reading the last line makes me feel a lot better though: The disease usually is curable if you remain patient.

http://www.dr-dan.com/red.htm
 
Smudge looks like he really enjoyed the cake! What a good mom you are treating him like that. That is good to hear that you don't have to go back just yet to the vet. Keeping our fingers and paws crossed for you and Smudge!
 
from wikipedia:
"Minor, localized cases are often treated with medicated shampoos and not treated with agents aimed at killing mites as these infestations often resolve within several weeks in young dogs.
Demodectic mange with secondary infection is treated with antibiotics and medicated shampoos as well as parasiticidal agents. Amitraz is a parasiticidal rinse that is licensed for use in many countries for treating canine demodicosis. It is applied weekly or biweekly, for several weeks, until no mites can be detected by skin scrapings.
Demodectic mange in dogs can also be managed with ivermectins, although there are few countries which license these drugs, which are given by mouth, daily, for this use. Ivermectin is used most frequently; collie-like herding breeds often do not tolerate this drug due to a defect in the blood-brain barrier, though not all of them have this defect. Other avermectin drugs that can be used include doramectin and milbemycin."



It looks like young pups get it more frequently and it might clear up after a few weeks? And it looks like you probably wouldn't be treating with anything for longer than a month or 2 until things clear up (no daily interceptor forever). So hopefully it won't be incredibly expensive :) Give Smudge extra loves from Gavin and Me!

Cindy
 
Love the little celebration and to see that you are keeping a wonderfully upbeat attitude !

We are going to make you our resident expert on the various types of mange before it is all over. I, too, wondered about the timing of the neutering with the diagnosis of d. mange. Last night I found this article from the College of Veterinary Medicine of Louisiana State University:

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:3x4NO19_cQUJ:www.vetmed.lsu.edu/vth&c/Word%20docs/DEMO

Thanks for keeping us posted. We'll keep sending good thoughts your way.
 
Wow, according to that document, Smudge's vet did everything right! Got him neutered and opted for the dip, rather than the meds that might give a Sheltie a bad reaction. It is nice to know when our vets are on our side! And that your faith is placed in the right person for your special furkid. Thanks for that, Katherine!
 
I'm sure my vet told me all of this, but I was half asleep when all of this was going on. 4 in the evening might not sound like a big deal to some people, but it's very late for me on nights that I have to work. I wasn't even fit to drive and I was having to deal with all of this.

After looking it up myself, I've found out several things. There's the obvious cause of mange (the mites) that are a direct cause of it. Then there are other things that might not directly cause it, but indirectly cause it. Some of those things might include a weak immune system, stress, and/or not eating the right foods (which I guess in a way could all be the same thing). I've been feeding Smudge Orijen puppy for at least a month. I have no idea what he could have been stressed out about before all of this. The worst thing he had to worry about was if somebody moved the clothes basket too high for him to reach. :rolleyes2: So it must be his immune system.

So as of right now I am online looking for some type of cheap puppy immune booster. I tried looking for the Chinese herb/supplement listed in another thread, but I couldn't find it anywhere. If anybody knows of some kind of cheap immune booster that might work for a 4 1/2 month old 15.5 pound sheltie puppy please let me know. :yes:

Thanks for the encouraging words everybody, by the way. I keep meaning to say that but I always forget.
 
Hmm... nutritional supplements. I give mine (dog and cats and will start Duncan on it tomorrow to see how he likes it) a teaspoon or so of pureed pumpkin to help with digestion. Also, I have heard of people giving a little plain yogurt in a meal once a day (I don't because it would not help the cats as it is a dairy thing, but I bet they would like it!). It has probiotics (if you get something like Activia) and active cultures that are good for dogs (and people).

Also, I found a site...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/pet_supplies.cfm?c=3307+11248 The products seem reasonable and if you can find something in a soft chew, Smudge should eat it up!

Maybe your vet would know of something, as well?
 
Vibrant Pets!

I've been using the supplement Chris recommended, Vibrant Pets. It is such a complete supplement with so much good stuff in it that you can't go wrong. And for what you have to feed a small Sheltie, VERY cost effective! I can't believe what it's done for my guys who are on it. Here's the link, and they give a discount for first time buyers and are happy to talk with you and tell you which formula would best suit your pup:

http://www.vibrantpets.net/
 
I give mine a little yoghurt as well - they loooove yoghurt and it is great for balancing their internal flora.
 
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