Itchy dog with possible demodex mite infestation
I took my dog (2yo male neutered Rhodesian Ridgeback) to vet because he was very itchy. First they said allergic reaction. Second time,1 week later, did skin scrape & said Demodex parasite. Told to apply "Revolution" now, in 2 weeks, then in 4 more weeks. Question- all my research never mentions "Revolution" as treatment and says that I should be concerned with the underlying cause because he is an older dog. (not a puppy) The vet said that some older dogs can get infestation if immuno compromised. He had a bout of diarrhea in beginning on Jan supposedly due to stress of being in kennel. When I asked the vet how being sick in Jan can cause this in March/April I really didn't get an answer. Should I have him tested for a more serious illness? Should I be giving some sort of dip that was talked about on the internet? He has no fur loss and seems to be a little less itchy. Will this "Revolution" completely eradicate the parasite and should I be concerned in my dog has to go back to the kennel? Thank you for all your answers. |
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Dog with problems walking
When I came home from work yesterday, Sparrow(6yo female neutered mix breed), who stays in my basement with access to the crawl space under the house, was having trouble going up the stairs. She seemed sick - hot nose & depressed. She has a knot midway up her tail about the size of a quarter. Her hindquarters are slightly swollen and tender. Her behind was dirty with dust, some fecal matter, and little black dots that looked like flea eggs (she doesn't have fleas - she's on med from the vet.) It seemed she had been dragging her bottom on the ground. My gut feeling is that she may have been bitten by a spider or god forbid a snake (in my basement?!!) but I'm also worried that she's hurt her back. She can still walk - even jump on the bed - but she is not moving correctly. She is still eating and drinking. She's not any worse this morning, but no better. She's not limping, but she acts stiff - is not moving her hind legs with ease, but I don't see where they look out of whack. For example, when she goes up steps, she just goes one step at a time, very slowly and carefully when she usually bounds & skips steps. It doesn't look like she's knuckling over, and her feet and legs look normal. Another thought after babying her this morning - she has had trouble in the past with her anal glands being blocked. Usually I try to massage & expel them when I bathe her. I haven't noticed her dragging her butt, which usually happens when her glands are filled and need expelling, but is it possible this could be the problem? Or constipation?
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