Thai's Story - Demodectic Mange
Thai came into our care in June 2008 because her breeder couldn't cope or afford her condition. Thai had already been sold by her breeder and then returned later when the new owners couldn't cope.
Having already given her some treatment, the breeder felt they couldn't manage to continue with the necessary treatment that Thai needed to recover from the demodectic mange. This consisted of several aludex baths which Thai's vet was willing to do at a discounted rate.
This is Thai, she should be a normal, happy go lucky, 10 month old puppy, but she isn't.
Thai has a condition called Demodectic mange caused by the mite, demodex canine. This condition is generally passed on either through the dam or the sire and, if you have a dog diagnosed with it, all the other litter mates should be informed as they may well have it too. The sire or dam carrying the mite should not be bred from again and all parties should be made aware of the situation.
As you can see, Thai has lost nearly all the fur on her body, apart from a small amount on her head and her tail. Poor Thai hasn't responded well to previous treatments and now needs regular baths with aludex to help her condition.
Thai has now been rehomed through Boxer Welfare Scotland and is enjoying the many comforts of home life, including carpets, sofas, warmth, love, care and attention, as well as a boxer buddy to play with.
Boxer Welfare Scotland has taken on the costs of Thai's treatment for her mange. She has to have seven aludex baths at a cost of around £170, as she is getting them done at the vet, due to the severity of her condition. She also has to have regular skin scrape tests to check the condition of the mites.
September 2008
Thai is on the road to recovery and, so far, all her skin scrapings have come back clear. Thankfully it would appear that this little girl now has a chance able to live a normal, healthy life, although her Mum and Dad will be keeping a very close eye on her, just in case!
November 2008
We have recently been contacted by someone who owns another boxer from the same litter as Thai. Poor Troy suffered exactly the same condition and his family were totally unaware that any other puppies had been affected with demodectic mange and were shocked to realise that Thai was from the same litter! Here is what Troy's family had to say:
I currently have a boxer called Troy who suffered from the same condition (Demodectic Mange) for about 8 months. It was not picked up by our local vet right away and eventually we were referred to the Dermatology Referral Service where he was treated very well. Troy lost most of his hair on his head, sides, back, belly and legs. He was very unsettled and very down. I am pleased to say that thanks to the treatment and care he was given by the Dermatology Referral Service (Glasgow) he has made a full recovery and he now looks like a real boxer. He is now starting to fill out and his coat is full and shiny.
We do not know how many other puppies from the same litter were afffected, but we do hope that Troy and Thai are the only two. Troy's family remain in touch with Boxer Welfare Scotland and we continue to hear of his progress.
Here are some photos of when Thai and Troy met up, with Archie of course, Thai's best buddy.
It's good to know that there are loving families out there who are willing to take on and keep loving a dog, despite it's medical conditions.
April 2009
Since our last update, we have had two more of Thai's litter mates come to our attention and are in Boxer Welfare Scotland's care. Once again, the owner was not informed as to the puppy's potential condition. Both Blue and Kaia have been treated for the condition and haven't had a recent flare up. Of course Boxer Welfare Scotland is also now responsible for any vet bills relating to their demodectic mange.
Unfortunately poor wee Thai has had a bit of a relapse and is back having her aludex baths to get the mange back under control.
