Demodex and skin scrapings?

After assuming my pug's itchiness was due to a food allergy, our vet had us switch food and give her prednizone and oral antibiotics. A week later, no change, brought her back, saw other vet who was -sure- it was Demodex until the skin scrapings came back negative (again). We are treating as such for now, too early to tell if she's improving or not....how easy is it to find demodex in a skin scraping? I have read usually easy, except in some breeds like shar peis. The first vet we saw in the practice told us she was looking for 2 types in the skin scraping- one easy to find and very contagious, one hard to find and not contagious. Our other dogs have none of what's going on with our pug. The second vet wanted me to just try benadryl 3xs a day and bring her back in a week- done that, didn't work, opted to threat with the ivermectin instead. So- what do you all know about the accuracy of diagnosing demodex in pugs with skin scrapings? Red raw skin on back, legs, armpits

Demodex and skin scrapings?
Should have been very easy to see what it was in a skin scrape. However; it could just be a skin infection. There are so many bacterial infection strains there would be no way to tell which one it could be.





I would skip the prednizone and stick with ivermectin, frontline and a basic antibiotic if skin scraping are showing nothing.
Reply:Could be flea bites or too many baths.





Sounds like you are doing the right thing. Be persistant until you find an answer.





Good luck.
Reply:You can be pretty sure it isn't sarcoptic mange because they would have found it.





Did the vet examine the scraping himself or did he let a CVT do it? That could make a difference in the results. I have seen some CVTs check for worms and have the wrong result.





Pugs are a breed with immune problems like allergies. However they usually present on the legs and feet. I would still assume that mange would be a more likely diagnosis, and trying ivermectin won't hurt her. If it doesn't help then go back to steroid shots in a higher dose to see if it helps. And asking for an oral antibiotic is a good idea too because the scratching will cause infections.
Reply:Well, my dog had demodectic mange, but it only showed up on one scraping... never on any of the subsequent scrapings even when it was spreading. Go figure.





First, I would switch to a really high quality food to help your dog boost his immune system. I'd also supplement with some Salmon Oil to give Omega 3's.





Demodectic mange is on all dogs, but only those with weakened immune systems show symptoms of hair loss and itching.





I tried all kinds of stuff because I don't like giving my dogs chemicals/poisons if I don't have to. Finally, I switched all my dogs to a raw prey model diet... the foster with the demodectic mange cleared up in 3-4 weeks. All her hair grew back and hasn't had any problems since. I fed according to the raw prey model diet and supplemented with the Salmon Oil for omega 3's.





If you absolutely won't try the raw diet, then I'd switch to Evo or another grain free food (since grains cause all kinds of skin issues in dogs...)





http://www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp





Good luck.