We thought we would share some important information on Ivermectin and using Ivermectin to treat for Mange.
Ivermectin is a broad spectrum anti-parasite medication generally used for food animals and horses.
Ivermectin to treat demodicosis is not approved by the FDA
In dogs and cats, Ivermectin is licensed for use as a heartworm preventive and as a topical ear mite therapy; the use of Ivermectin to treat demodicosis is not approved by the FDA.
When ivermectin was a new drug, it was hoped that it could be used against demodectic mange mites as at that time, only labor intensive dipping was available for treatment. Once it was discovered that daily doses are needed (most other parasites can be controlled with warming spaced several weeks apart) ivermectin was found to be highly effective, quickly becoming the mange treatment of choice.
Ivermectin is inexpensive relative to Milbemycin and involves no labor intensive bathing. It DOES, however, Ivermectin taste terrible if given orally (it may be necessary for the owner to learn how to give ivermectin as an inject able treatment.).
Ivermectin suppresses your pet’s immune system
WARNING…Ivermectin suppresses your pet’s immune system, which will leave your pet susceptible as an opportunic host to infection. Generally, when Ivermectin is prescribed, propholactic anti-biotics are prescribed in conjunction with the Ivermectin. It is not uncommon for your pet to have a relapse when taken off the Ivermectin.
THIS MEDICATION IS NOT SAFE FOR USE IN COLLIES,SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS, AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS, OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOGS, AND SOME WOULD SAY, ANY HERDING BREED.
Side effects are not a concern with the extremely low doses used in commercially marketed heartworm preventives.
Problems may arise when higher doses, such as those used against skin mites, are employed but even then, side effects generally do not occur with any anti-mange doses of ivermectin except in animals with genetic sensitivity. Such individuals are usually Collies, Shetland sheepdogs, Australian shepherds, and Old English sheepdogs, though some individual animals that are not members of these sensitive breeds may also be prone to side effects. Very low test doses are often recommended to identify thes individuals regardless of their breed. Alternatively, a blood test is available to test for genetic sensitivity (see below).
Collies with ivermectin sensitivity have been found to have a mutant gene for what is called the “P-glycoprotein.” The P-glycoprotein has been studied largely because overexpression of this protein (i.e. having more of it than normal) results poor function of chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of cancer. The P-glycoprotein appears to be involved in keeping drugs out of certain body tissues. Having excess P-glycoprotein keeps chemotherapy drugs from reaching the tumor. When it comes to ivermectin sensitivity the problem is the opposite: mutant or non-functional P-glycoprotein leads to failure to keep certain drugs out of the central nervous system, allowing them access to sensitive tissue. Ivermectin side effects stem from ivermectin entering the central nervous system.
Approximately 35% of Collies have a genetic mutation creating a non-functional P-glycoprotein. This allows for ivermectin doses that would normally be blocked from the central nervous system to gain access to it. Other herding breeds as listed above also have a tendency to express this mutation. There is now a test for P-glycoprotein mutation so that ivermectin sensitive dogs can be identified. This is a DNA test using an oral swab.
Some Reference Links:
Dog mange is a condition of the dog’s skin characterized by itching due to the parasitic mites that are present in the either in the internal or epidermal layer of the skin and hair follicles of the animal. His mange treatment started after his recovery from both diseases as the vet didn’t prefer to put too much work on his immune system. These mange Is really a dermic Condition induced Simply by parasites That may provide The best dog\’s skin. Those mange is widelly seen as contagious, With your dog.
We hope this page answered your questions about Ivermectin.