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The Rescue of Sabrina
By Pam Lambert
 This is Sabrina. This sweet little collie was left chained to a dog house in Waverly, Ohio. The temperature outside was 12 degrees but with the wind chill, to her it felt like 0 degrees. She is one year old and weighs 22 pounds. She should have weighed 40 pounds.
The early onset of mange in her young life had not been treated, and as a result more than 50 percent of her coat is missing. Her body temperature was 104.6 degrees. Her feet were swollen and bloody making it hard for her to stand to eat.
Scabs cover much of her body, including all her legs, hips and the back of her neck. Sabrina is now recovering slowly with regular treatments and is in the care of Almost Home.
 The demodex mite is transferred from the mother dog to puppy during cuddling in the first few days of life. Most of the time, the mite and dog live in harmony unless there is an upset such as a suppressed immune system or excessive stress. Then, this nasty mite can cause severe skin damage.
Our herding breeds demand special attention. Collies, shelties and other herding breeds carry a mutation in the MRD1 gene. This gene prevents drugs from building up in the brain. This mutation can cause some dogs in the herding group to suffer acute and often fatal neurotoxicosis. This is most likely when certain drugs are administered in higher doses in the treatment and prevention of heartworm and the control of certain mites such as the demodex mite. Ivermectin is often used in treatment of this type of demodectic mange but cannot be used with collies.
 Recommended treatment for collies is a Mitaban dip that is now available. It was taken off the market for a time but is available again. Mitaban paralyzes the demodex mite. Dr. Jeff Shields, who works with the Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue, recommends beginning treatment with half the recommended dose to lower the risk of any adverse effects to the dog. The treatment can then be given at a recommended dose if there are no ill effects seen in the dog. These should occur every two weeks unless the mange is severe or not responding to treatment. Then treatments can be increased to once a week with caution, watching for any side effects such as vomiting or diarrhea.
The two websites listed below provide more information on the treatment of demodicosis mange and the mutation of the MRD1 gene.
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/drugs.aspx
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=630
If you could find it in your heart to help with Sabrina’s treatments, we will gladly accept any donations. Please click the donate button in the upper right hand corner, and note in the comments section that your donation should be used to help continue Sabrina's treatment.
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