Butch,

We have a GSD bitch, Kati, that's about the same age as your pup. She developed Demodex right after whe went through heat. Our vet said it was a stress related issue, and it cleared up by itself, although it did take about a month.

Also, on her face near her nose. She's fine now.
However, I don't have the same concerns you do because we will be spaying her in July.

Butch, here is a good article, demodex
My working dog had a bout w/demodex shortly after he was shipped here from the UK. I do believe it was stressed related and he healed quickly with treatment and has not had a reoccurence.

So I think shipping off Fanni for two weeks stressed the poor gal out. Just build her back up with supplements and she'll be just fine.

As far as the breeding thing, if this is her only incident (which is common) and she doesn't have any other inherent skin disorders, I wouldn't let it bother you. Those vets look for any excuse for the spay/nueter bandwagon! Good Luck to you and Fanni.

Hey Butch,

Actually most warm-blooded creatures have demodex mites in their pores, including you and me. It is perfectly natural. The mange occures when the mites get out of control. This can happen due to stress, first heat cycles, or from a weakened immune system.

From what I have researched, a bitch that developes demodex mange really should only not be bred if the mange occures due to a weakened immune system. And this would be because of a faulty immune system which is a problem other than mange. A bitch won't pass demodex mites to her pups - they will already be there as is natural. But she can pass on a weak immune system which would make a pup more likely to develop demodex mange or something worse.

Unfortunately, the trick is determining if the demodex mange really is caused by a weak immune system or some other reason. Your vet may have a way to test for a weak immune system. I would not necessarily spay a bitch just because she had to be treated for demodex because there are so many other reasons a dog can develop this. Don't write Fanni off just yet! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hope this helps you!

Thanks for the feedback, support. We are a long ways off from making any decision not breeding her.
Thanks again!!

Hi Butch, Had a sheltie bitch that was shipped for breeding....developed a spot of demodex on her leg...had the spot while nursing the pups...two of the five pups came down with it. This bitch had five more litters throughout her life and never had this problem again, nor did any of the subsequent pups. So who knows.....

Debbie

Good News!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The Demodex spots are completely healed. We did nothing but let Fanni's Immune system clear up the problem.

Now we have to wait and see if she has another outbreak.

Thanks to all who responed to my post.

Quick recovery, that is good news! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Butch, Great news about Fanni! Did it side track any of her training? She should be getting close to being ready for her B title soon? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Bob, I'm the only reason she won't be ready if we don't make it thif fall. Not training for 14 days is starting to catch up with us.

We'll give it a try anyhow.

Thanks for the support.

IVERMEC TREATMENT? I heard dip is bad.