Demodex Old English Sheepdog

Question
Hello,
We've had a sick dog since December...After seeing several vets and getting many misdiagnoses we discovered he has generalized demodex mange.  Since he's an OES, he can't have Ivermectin, and I'm completely turned off with the toxicity of the dips.  We started him on Interceptor on May 2 (he weighs 84 lbs. and he's on 5 mg/kg, one tablet per day).  We've Americans in the UK, and the UK vets will not assist us with anything associated with this treatment because it's an American drug.  They refuse even to do follow up scrapes, etc.  I'm sickened by the entire thing, and I'm left to try to sort this out alone.  He's been on the drug only two weeks, but seems a bit worse.  What I need to know is if it is within the normal zone to see some worsening in the beginning stages of this treatment (I understand we're looking at months of taking this drug).  Many thanks, Jennifer

Answer
I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help as what you are asking is really a vet question.

The only information I could find was the possibility of another underlying condition compromising treatment. "Diseases such as diabetes, cancer or Cushing's disease can all impact therapy." http://www.barkbytes.com/MEDICAL/med0019.htm Possibly you should have his thyroid tested.

Here is an excellent vet site that you might find helpful: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dogdmite.html

Why don't you go along with the UK vets in their treatment for this? At least then you could get the necessary skin scrapings.