Research and contents were written by Margie McMillan. Images were found on Google Images and all credit is given to the person who created the YouTube videos. Any portions of this page that are found on other breeders websites could have been altered without my permission where they would be taking full credit for what I have done. Be aware of the honestly that may be with other breeders. To use any contents of this page they must receive my permission.
This is for those of you who are unfamiliar with "Demodex". I am adding this to my website so you will have a better understanding of just what demodex is. There has been an outbreak of this everywhere, more than the usual. Among breeders we want you to be aware of it, before you decide to have a dog. Other breeders I know have put a Demodex Page on their websites also. It is also called Red Mange, but I would rather refer it to demodex since most people tend to get "bent out of shape" when they hear the word "Mange".
What Is This All About?
Demodex is very common in boxers. Even more so in English Bulldogs, Pit Bulls and Dobermans. Most puppy buyers are unaware of this, so I am here to give you a better understanding of it since I have done a lot of research on this. Remember, demodex is somewhat of a mystery as to how some pups get it and others do not. I have been in contact with some other breeders lately and they have had call backs on pups with demodex even though their bitches never showed signs of demodex. It seems to be turning up in high numbers right now everywhere, so you can see the importance of it. Most vets will tell you that breeding a female with demodex is not acceptable. Many vets will say it comes from the breeder and makes the breeder look bad, when the breeder has NO dogs showing signs of demodex and none have been diagnosed with demodex either. Also many breeders get a pup or a dog from another breeder and the dogs from the other breeder had NO signs of demodex either. So this can go down the line into maybe 5 maybe 10 generations where breeder's dogs, show no signs of demodex thru the years.
Almost all dogs have the parasite, so it's up to the puppy owner to make sure they keep the puppy healthy and the immune system high. Don't give the demodex parasite a chance to become active. Since the puppy left the breeder with No signs of demodex, you may want to consider what stress has the pup gone thru if your pup has it. You may think there wasn't any stress but every pup is different. Something stressful for one pup may not be for another. It is also a wonder why some pups will show signs and others don't. Kind of like, why do some people get cancer and others don't or why do some have allergies and not others.
This is NOT a disease.
Some breeders will watch the level of the demodex and if it's not a huge outbreak and clears up on it's own (without any treatment), they will continue to breed their bitch. I would choose not, but that would be my choice and I would not be condemning any breeder by this statement. A bitch may have 6 litters and never throw a pup with demodex until her 6th litter, and then it might be only one pup. Probably the only way to cure demodex would be to eliminate the boxer breed (and/or English Bulldog, Pit Bull & Doberman breeds) altogether plus the other breeds that are acceptable to it. You know that is not going to happen. If it did, you wouldn't have any purebred dogs, just mixed breeds and strays who have it too. There also wouldn't be any dog shows, champions or competition events either. So if you feel that the boxer breed is for you, please be prepared to possibly deal with this issue.
Also, if you are purchasing a pup or two, from different breeders, you will always have the possibility that one of the pups could come down with the demodex. This is also why you need to keep the immune system up. These are the chances that you take in breeding dogs also.
Demodex Mite
Most DOGS HAVE DEMODEX MITES and the pups will acquire the mites from their mother after birth while nursing. It is NOT inherited, as it is not in the blood or the genes. It does not come from the mother's milk either. It is transmitted while nursing.
Demodex Mite
It is believed that if a pup has a weak/low immune system, the mites attack the pups skin follicles and cause hair loss. When this happens in puppies, we are dealing with a low/weak/poor immune system and the demodex mites attack. Just like when the human immune system is low and contacts the common cold or flu.
Demodex will normally break out around 5-6 months old and as late as 10 months old.
On this YouTube Video, is a very good view of the mites in action where they are attacking the hair/hair follicle. Most of the other views I found, just show them sitting there, moving around some.
Signs & Causes
What To Look For?
If your pup has a visible spot of hair loss, on the back, face, under the neck, legs or on the feet (paws) or between the toes, you should take your pup to your veterinarian and have a skin scraping done. This will tell you if your dog needs treatment. The sooner you treat with Mitaban, Ivomectin, and anti-bacterial shampoo or whatever your vet recommends, the less hair loss the pup will have.
Causes?
1. STRESS/ANXIETY Good stress/bad stress, is believed to cause an outbreak. It is generally not life threatening if treated and once treated it will normally never reappear. It is not contagious and other pets in the home cannot get it. Even though humans have mites, this can rarely be transmitted to humans.
2. POOR-WEAK-LOW IMMUNE SYSTEM
3. POOR NUTRITION
Below, is a YouTube video that shows the latter stages of a dog with demodex. Some of the pictures could be disturbing to some viewers. Also, there are other pictures containing wildlife with demodex. Demodex is not limited to dogs and cats.
Our Boxers At Weepin Oaks
NONE OF OUR BOXERS HAVE EVER SHOWN SIGNS OR HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEMODEX
Additional Comments
In addition to the above information that is given to you, please be aware that whoever your breeder is, your beautiful, healthy boxer may or may not show signs of demodex later. Your breeder has done everything possible to give you a healthy puppy and to make sure the pup has a high immune system when you take your pup home. Help your pup, by making sure his/her immune system stays high. If your puppy is diagnosed with demodex, don't be hateful or condemn the breeder. Remember: Most dogs have the demodex mite. Don't let your pup's immune system go down, by stress or allergies or anything else.
Something to think about:
The very few dogs that wouldn't have the demodex mite, would have been born by C-section, then bottle fed. Those pups would most likely have a low immune system.
Keep The Immune System High
This is another reason why I highly recommend NuVet Plus to keep your puppy/dog's immune system high. I have NuVet Plus in my contract because I am looking out for your puppy.
Don't you think that if your breeder is using NuVet Plus on their dogs, that it would be good for your puppy too, since the pups have been on it before birth?
