mites

[lmd]

I have sheep and dogs. The sheep do scratch and have mites - probably the "itch mite" psorergates ovis. Four years ago, and again this winter, it seems that a few of the dogs get mites. A few bald ears, scratching the back of the front leg, belly chewing, and one hot spot. Yet most of the dogs have no ssymptoms. The episode four years ago was in the fall, so I washed the symptomatic dogs with permectrin - one ounce to three gallons. It cleared up in two weeks. I had tried revolution but absolutely nothing happened.

Now this year I have a few dogs with leg chewing, one balding ear, and two chewing bellies. The vet suggested using the spot pyrethrin which is 45%. on the shoulder, tail base as instructioned on the packages. It did not work. Not yet anyway. I compared the ones with and without treatment. The problem is not bothering the dogs all day, but I know it needs to be dealt with.

Sorry for the long description, but I want to know if any technicaL explanation is out there to help me know if the itch mite from sheep could live long enough on my clothing, or sheep bedding for dog contact to happen. Also, would they be able to possibly live on the secondary host. One vet explained these mites are very superficial. They vets agree that it doesn`t give usual dog mange characteristics. We are thinking of trying some scrapings or a biopsy, but waiting to see if it is truly warranted. Any other ideas anyone??

[davet]

just an opinion but not much help but i think a scraping is mandatory and if nothing shows then either a ddeper scraping or biopsy...these critter, in some cases can burrow deep

[lmd]

My vet said to bring a dog in when he has lesions so that we can then do scrapings. They don`t have lesions - just red skin. What do I expect in the way of lesions? When?

[davet]

just red skin could be a lewsion, even though not scaby etc the mites can bve in the hari follicles with the tendeendy to reproduce and cause problems