Periodically, I get emails from folks asking why TLC rescues so many "demo" Chihuahuas... "Demo" (or demodex) is somewhat common and we see more and more of it recently, for some strange reason.
You can read the Wiki on demodex HERE, but in short? We ALL have hair mites - microscopic in size, but we all have them. We see evidence of them only from what they leave behind --- and usually in dogs with suppressed immune systems, demo occurs (also known as 'red mange'). Small patches of hair loss start and if left without vet care, it can spread throughout the dog's coat and cause sores that bleed eventually.
Fairly common in puppies, it can also occur with the ill or older dogs. And once these dogs hit the shelters, it is usually the 'kiss of death' for few people in the general public will adopt one. It is not contagious, but it smells and looks pretty ugly when at its worst.
One of the worst dogs we pulled with demo was BabyLove. When we first pulled her out of the shelter, BabyLove actually 'sweated' blood when you picked her up or held her. It did not take that long with the proper medical care - and BabyLove started responding well, picking up weight, growing back her gorgeous coat and eventually found a fantastic furever home!
Recently we were called about a litter of 5 pups we have begun to call the "Hollywood Five" - Bogart, Bardot, Garbo, DeNiro and Bronson. They too have demo and are responding rapidly with treatment...
So if you happen to see a dog at a local shelter and it is confirmed demodex, don't turn away - you could very easily be saving that dog's life!
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