Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

Re: Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

Bob Russell — Mon, 19 May 2014 14:47:24 GMT

Its a staffie so of course it has demodex!

I would vaccinate without too much worry but will have had the immunocompromised conversation with the owner!

A skin scraping takes moments and the typical bald, smelly staffie will be heaving and you can show owners. They then take treatment seriously!

Re: Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

Starling — Sun, 18 May 2014 13:46:14 GMT

In this case Demodex is not on the top of my differentials but it just has made me wonder the question.

I also think that vaccines won't be harmful for a puppy with demodex but the main problem is that maybe the immune system of the puppy won't induce a proper response.... on the other hand there's the risk of having parvo, etc.... so I think that giving an extra dosis once the problem is solved could make sense.

Another issue I was wondering is if the lack of immune system response is general or it's specificly for demodex... in which case there wouldn't be any dilemmas. I should investigate about it.

thank you for your responses!

Re: Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

Stephen Courtney — Sat, 17 May 2014 21:17:55 GMT

Sorry, just realised i implied i'd vaccinate dog with demodex - i wouldn't. For reasons stated above. but i don't think the case described is likely to be demodex, and if i had any doubt a skin scrape or hair pluck would resolve concerns.

I would certainly be happy to vaccinate a pup with a small bald area if it wasn't demodex.

Re: Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 17 May 2014 18:20:44 GMT

I'm damn sure that the vaccine will do no harm, so I would vaccinate. I would advise a 3rd dose later.

These animals have weakened immune systems, not no immune system. Without any immune system they would be dead......

Re: Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

grumpyoldman — Sat, 17 May 2014 17:47:04 GMT

[quote user="Starling"]I know maybe it's a typical presentation but I spend most of time at emergency and critical care so I haven't done routinary consults for a while[/quote]

you can get focal areas , the early squamous type and the pustular type ,together in the same litter ,but I would confirm with a scraping before heading off at a tangent . We do appear to be seeing "outbreaks" in litters of staffys instead of the odd sporadic case.

Re: Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

Anthony Todd — Sat, 17 May 2014 15:29:18 GMT

Mmmm, odd site for isolated demodex and response to Iodine would make me go for ringworm, on which iodine works well.

Did it fluoresce or lesions on owner or family are the clincher [inside of forearms or neck???]

Re: Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

Andrew Kent — Sat, 17 May 2014 14:59:14 GMT

Personally I tended to not vaccinate a puppy with demodex as I took this to be an indication that they were not immunocompetent. If the owner really wanted to do it then I would advise a third dose at a later age when the demodex have disappeared. But Its an interesting question so interested to see what others do.

Andy

Re: Localized demodicosis in a puppy and vaccines

Stephen Courtney — Sat, 17 May 2014 12:04:25 GMT

Seems a bit young to be localised demodecosis. A skin scrape would provide answers.

Dermatophytosis is higher on the list, and also litter related issues e.g. licking/ scratching/ biting can also cause localised hair loss.

As the lesion seems to be regressing I would do little more than ask the owners to keep an eye on it, and warn them it might need investigation if it does't resolve.

And I would have no problems vaccinating on schedule.