Mindy (Pt Chester, USA) on 10/18/2010

Thank you, Mindy"

11/13/2010: Aj from Grants, Nm/us replies: "You said "do not wash", what about the rotten smell that comes with the infection"

11/14/2010: Guin from Cleveland, Texas replies: "What is the mixture of sodium perborate to water, as I found that all color bleach has it in it. It is made by everyday living, and has sodium carbonate, inorganic salts, sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate, enzymes, fragrance, fabric brightening agent, and colorant. Is there anything in this that is harmful??"

11/17/2010: Eve K from Houston, Tx replies: ""Mange" refers to two different types of mite infestation. It is important to know which type you are dealing with. Other skin conditions can also mimic mange. Get a scraping done at the vet to know which type of mange you are dealing with (if it is in fact mange). The vet will probably offer you two conventional treatment options; or you can proceed with a natural treatment. DEMODECTIC mange aka "red" mange (demodex mites):

1. Is NOT contagious--you do NOT need to "disinfect" your entire home or treat multiple pets (unless they are truly also suffering from it) or yourself.

2. Is a genetically inherited immune deficiency. Some dogs will only have outbreaks (flare ups) at certain times (coming into heat, for example). Dogs with demodectic mange should NOT BE BRED. This is a heritable immune defect. If your dog has demodectic mange, their parents and littermates had it too. All dogs have a few demodex mites but their immune system keeps the population under control. It is when there is a defect in the immune system that an overgrowth occurs and mange symptoms arise. I am posting this because there is a great deal of misunderstanding in the posts I have read. Sarcoptic mange (scabies) is another situation altogether. It is contagious and requires different treatment. Your vet will tell you which type you are dealing with."

12/19/2010: Stephanie from Spring, Texas replies: "I keep hearing this but I also hear others say it has nothing to do with the breeder. The breeder we bought both of our white german shepherd dogs from here in Dickinson, Texas. We have 2 of the 5 from the litter. We have the only female. About 2 months ago they went into heat, well he did forst, and he began to break out. We took him to the vet and the vet said it was a breeder issue. She claimed to know nothing about Demodex and said she had never had an issue with the puppies however others tell us it is definitely a breeder issue. How do you know and if it is an immune problem, we have since had them fixed, will it continue to get worse? He is worse, we have removed gluten form their diet and bedding, the water bottles they are chewing on etc. The only thing left is to give them bottled water! She claims nobody but us has complained so I am worried it may be us but one is also better than the other. The bigger one, a boy, is ten time worse than the female. Trying to find a vet familiar with german sheperds is really hard."

02/07/2011: Bgthomas from Houston, Tx replies: "To Stephanie of Spring, TX, demodex mange on 2 gsp dogs, litter mates, male and female. I have been told it is not cureable, but managable. Both of the dogs I own came from very reputable breeder/handler. It is a inmune system problem, been treating them with ivomec, imune powder and diet."

02/11/2011: Kate from Hanceville, Al replies: "I followed this regimen exactly for 5 weeks. Although my dog looked much better and started to regrow hair, her skin scrapings at the vet 2 days after a treatment revealed numerous demodex mites. I am returning to traditional treatment with possible use of the borax solution additionally."

03/18/2011: Jeff from Tampa, Florida replies: "I have used this treatment on my 60 pound dog with some success. I have not used it as often as I should because of a side effect that I have not seen mentioned in this blog. First, I wash the dog, then immediated soak her in the solution. Two minutes later she starts getting very nervous and starts shaking nervously. For about 15 to 20 minutes she is a nervous wreck. She gets so hyped up that she has scaled a 6 feet stockade fence around my backyard, which see never does otherwise. A few times she has vomited during that time period. She finally calms down. I would love to know if anyone has had the same experience. If Ted has an explaination I would be grateful. The solution helps her, but I don't have the heart to put her through that very often, so she still suffers with the mites."

03/26/2011: Mybuddy from Colden, Ny replies: "I had found Ted's solution over a year ago and successfully treated my dog's demodectic mange. His fur was falling out in clumps, his skin was red and turning black, he was constantly itching or licking and smelled funky. I spent a small fortune in prescription food, prescription shampoos, cortisone shots and mange treatments - the vet believed that it was allergies and not mange. I bathed my dog with an Oatmeal based shampoo, then applied the solution and let him dry per the instructions on this site. I did this every couple of days for two weeks, then weekly for a couple of weeks and then every month after that. I also have been giving him a multi-vitamin along with Brewer's Yeast/Garlic tablets. His skin had turned back to a healthy pink and his fur is thick and soft. Additional things I learned:

Cortisone will make the mange worse.

The mange tends to be worse during winter and generally in those dogs that may be immune challenged. (My dog did not require the treatments during the summer, but I saw a change once Fall started and resumed the monthly treatment.)

Dogs will throw up if they have consumed the solution, as the peroxide makes them vomit.

My dog wants to immediately roll on the ground to get the solution off of him - I keep him on the leash outside to go to the bathroom after the bath, then put him on his bed to dry.

My dog did not have food allergies - I have had him on the same food that the vet took him off of and he is fine.

Last note, at my dog's yearly vet visit, the vet could not believe how beautiful his coat was and had never seem him so healthy. I explained what I was doing with the treatment, but I think he doubted the mange and solution effectiveness. Either way, my dog's skin and coat have never been better and there are no harsh chemicals involved! Thank you Ted!"

04/02/2011: Diamond from Salisbury, Ma, USA replies: "All you folks are very lucky people, I have a mangy cat that is hard to tangle with, I try to be gentle because her immune system is way down and she's only a wee thin kitten, but she wants to fight for her life either way. Try picturing a kitten getting a bath (chuckles) Thanks every one for this great site ;o)"

04/16/2011: Totos.tribe from Victoria, Bc, Canada replies: "Hi There: I have a question for Ted regarding his "mange cure"

I have been treating a mixed breed spayed female. She has had demodicosis since birth. I "cured" her once using traditional vet treatments of Amitraz etc. Then the mange reoccurred. So I tried your "mange cure". It immediately started to work. Her skin started looking pink and healthy, her hair has grown back almost everywhere except for her hind quarters. However, after six weeks, the dog is developing a problem around the base of her tail and she is once again biting at herself and the skin is becoming infected and obviously has mange.

My question; I am currently in Mexico and the only source of Borax purchase is in the local hardware store. It is packaged by them and the word Borax is written on the package. Is there a way I can test it or tell if it is really Borax? The first time I purchased the powder would dissolve and then leave some crystals in the bottom of the pail. This time, it is in a different package (new shipment) and when I mixed the Borax into the hydrogen peroxide/water solution it formed a hard salt like crystal on the bottom. So I'm not sure I've actually got real Borax and am looking for a simple way to test it or tell if it is real Borax. It is the only source of Borax I have been able to find here.

Your cure worked so well, that my vet now wants me to do applications on his other clients who have the same issue. I would like to know that I'm using the right product.

Also, my girl was doing so well. Can you give me any advice as to what is happening around the base of her tail? I am returning to Canada soon and would like to take her home with me. But I will not be able to if she does not heal. I am going to put the "cone" back on her today so that she cannot bit herself and continue to treat her. Looking for any advice you can give.

Many thanks, Osa the dog's person"

05/15/2011: Concerned Mommy from St.louis, Mo replies: "will adding borax to my dogs drinking water kill them? has mange bad and we are treating her accordingly. Her ears seems to be the big issue. Another issue is do I need to treat my carpet and furniture and places where she sleeps?