Question: What is Mange?

 Answer:
Mange is caused by mites that burrow beneath a dog's skin. Mange is difficult to diagnose as it is often confused with other skin disorders. There are three types of mange.

Scarcoptic mange – The most common form appears with small itchy red bumps as it is first noticed.  The bumps are insect bites.  The fur and coat start to fall away and the skin appears crusty and scab like.  The mites usually focus on the ears, elbows and face.  Dogs tend to become uncomfortable with the itching and may need attention.  People can contract this type of mange, but this type of mange take longer for dogs to get rid of than people.

Demondectic mange – This is usually found in puppies from 3-12 months old.  The puppies usually contract it from their mother.  Even with the fur that falls out there is no itch associated with the hair loss.  The localized form tends to clear up in a few days, but if it is imbedded in the skin it may be difficult to cure.

Cheyletiella mange – This type of mange is also known as walking dandruff.  This is also mainly found in puppies.  This particular form of mange spreads easily in puppies.  The symptoms are: Dandruff breaking out around the neck and back and a mild itch.

A vet should always be consulted when diagnosing and treating mange.  Mites happen to be microscopic and for a firm diagnosis a skin scrape may be necessary.  While treatment can be frustrating, most cases of mange can be effectively treated with proper care. 

Happy Jack offers three mange treatments to fit your needs.

1.       Mange medicine – For all over treatment comes in 8 oz, 16 oz and gallon sizes.

2.       Sardex II Spray – For easy treatment of indoor dogs that is easy & convenient.

3.       Dermacide Ointment – For spot treatments when full coverage is not needed.

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Question: Why should I vaccinate my dog?

 Answer:
 The purpose of vaccinations is to prevent disease. At this time, the majority of vaccines are made to combat viruses.

When a normal, healthy puppy is born, the immune system is considered naïve.  IT has not been exposed to foreign substances or viruses.  Through the mother’s milk, the puppy will gain some immunity from those viruses that the mother is protected against.  Unfortunately, this maternal immunity is temporary.  In the first 5 to 6 weeks of life, the mother’s antibodies are sufficient, but afterwards the immunity begins to wane.  By age 20 weeks the immunity is completely gone and the puppy must rely on its own immune system.

The vaccinations prepare the immune system for the time when it will be exposed to certain viruses.

We currently offer vaccinations for ages 6 to 9 weeks in the 5-way combo to include vaccines for:

Parvo
Distemper
Adenovirus Type 2
Hepatitis
Parinfluenza

The 7-way vaccinations are for 12-15 weeks of age and annual boosters. The combo includes vaccines for:

Parvo
Distemper
Adenovirus Type 2
Hepatitis
Parinfluenza
2xLeptospirosis

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Question: What are worms?

Answer:
There are four common worm issues in dogs that must be addressed.

Roundworms – common term for several types of parasitic worms that live in a dog’s intestinal tract.  These can be contracted by the animal eating the worm eggs off the ground or other places, or from the mother passing them along during pregnancy.

Hookworms – similar to roundworms, but are called hookworms due to the fact that they “hook” to the wall of the intestines.  These can cause intestinal bleeding.  These are also contracted via ground objects or through the mother’s milk if she were infected.

Whipworms – these also live in a dog’s intestines and cause bleeding. These are usually contracted by eating eggs that other dogs have shed.

Tapeworms – these also live in the intestines of a dog and have a long flat appearance, hence tapeworms.  Dogs contract tapeworms from fleas or rabbit droppings.

Heartworms – These can be very deadly and are parasites that live in the blood vessels and heart of a dog.  These can be even more dangerous to small dogs which have smaller vessels.  Heartworms can be contracted via mosquito bites.

Happy Jack offers several dewormer products for adult dogs and puppies.  For heartworm care see you veterinarian.

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Question: My dog has ear mites. What are these and how did she get them?

Answer:
Ear mites are an external parasite that can infect dogs, cats and more
rarely, humans. Otodectes mites are large enough that they can sometimes be seen with the naked eye and are easy to see with magnification.

Ear mites live in the ears and on the skin of pets infected with them. The
mite lives its entire life on the pet. The adult mites are very mobile and can
live for some time off of a dog or cat, which enables it to be fairly
contagious.

The most common sign of ear mite infection is shaking of the head and ears.
Dogs may also scratch at their ears, rub their face and in severe cases may
even cause bleeding sores behind their ears in their effort to relieve the
discomfort from the mites. The intense itching associated with these mites
is thought to be due to a hypersensitivity reaction, which is similar to an
allergy. Some pets can be infected without showing signs of itching or head
shaking, apparently because they don't develop the hypersensivity reaction.

Ear mites are more commonly diagnosed in cats than they are in dogs but they
are a significant cause of ear infections in dogs, too. Dark brown to black
debris accumulates in the ears of infected pets and the mites may be visible
as small moving white specks on the debris. Secondary infection with
bacteria or yeast is common in ear mite infections and may complicate the
diagnosis.  It is important to treat the ears for mites and the whole
pet with a product that is capable of killing the mites.  

In multiple pet households it is important to treat all the pets and to clean the environment. It is necessary to treat for at least three to four weeks in most instances to be sure to kill the adult mites and any eggs that may hatch later. There are a number of causes of ear infection in dogs and it is best to have your vet examine your dog's ears to determine if the cause of ear irritation is ear mites or another infection. Doing this can save your dog from weeks of pain or discomfort.

Happy Jack has 2 ear products for both your cat and dog who is infected with ear mites

Mitex – Is a effective pesticidal for ear mites and their eggs. Comes in .5 and 1 oz bottles.

Ear Canker Powder – heals cankers in the ear caused by an infestation of ear mites. .5 oz

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