PetWise: Mange & Fleas
Posted on May 1, 2012 by bob in PetWise
Q: My 12-year-old cat got fleas for the first time two months ago. She weighs about 25 pounds. I tried a flea powder, but no luck. Then I tried the cheap monthly treatment, which didn’t work, either. Finally, I broke down and brought a $60 product, which did kill the fleas – but now my cat isn’t eating much and has lost 10 pounds. Any advice?
A: Please see your veterinarian as soon as possible about your cat’s weight loss. Unless your e-mail included a typo, this cat has lost nearly half her body weight. What you don’t indicate is how long it took for her to lose the weight, and whether the weight loss was planned. Unless a cat is on a weight-loss program, steady weight loss is likely due to a medical issue – perhaps a serious one.
If you’re inferring that the flea product is somehow related to the weight loss, “It’s very unlikely,” according to veterinarian Dr. Ernest Ward, of Calabash, NC. “Like many pet owners, you threw good money after bad,” he notes. “The good news is that flea products recommended by veterinarians really do an excellent job.”
Ward says the problem with choosing a flea product without veterinary input is that you’re generally guessing that your choice is a good one.
“Some products simply aren’t effective. Others may actually be dangerous if used under the wrong circumstances,” Ward adds.
Q: My 13-year-old Silky Terrier is diabetic, and as a result developed demodectic mange. We tried everything topical, but the problem got worse until we began to use daily (oral) Ivermectin solution. This has worked wonders. The dog has been on Ivermectin for four months, and I’m told he should be on it for life. Have you ever heard of this treatment?- M.B., Cyberspace
A: Demodex mange (caused by mites) usually occurs in very young or older dogs. Dr. Sheldon Rubin, a Chicago veterinarian, explains, “The mites are there and when the immune system is in some way compromised, the mites are no longer under control and become a problem. Ivermectin works, but isn’t typically given daily. Also, after a few months of treatment, dogs are usually tested. If the mites no longer appear, treatment is discontinued.”
Rubin is concerned about whether or not your dog’s diabetes is being effectively controlled, or if there’s another health issue involved, such as early kidney disease or hypothyroid disease. These problems and many others can compromise your dog’s immune system, allowing the mites to flourish.
“I do worry about safety if Ivermectin is used daily for an extended period of time, or for the remainder of the dog’s life,” says Rubin. “If the mange isn’t resolved, consider a visit to a veterinary dermatologist.”
Steve Dale is certified as a Behavior Consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Contact him at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY. 14207, or by e-mail, petworld@stevedale.tv. Include your name, city and state. (c) 2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
