Demodex and Underwater treadmill

[Guest guest]

Does anyone have experience with an active demodex infection and the underwater

treadmill? I have a 15 year old Husky who was coming twice weekly for

maintenance work in the treadmill and doing wonderfully! She has recently been

diagnosed with demodex and is seeking treatment through a variety of different

pathways - conventional western med and alternative therapies. I'd like to see

her get some time in the treadmill, but I also don't want to aggravate her skin

with the chlorine. She has lesions on the dorsal aspect of the distal portion

of 3 of 4 paws.

Any thoughts or experiences anyone can pass along?!?

As always, thanks to any and all for the input.

[Guest guest]

I forwarded this message to one of our boarded dermatologists at Texas A & M

University, and below is his reply. Dr. has consulted with our rehab

service on several skin issues and has been a tremendous help in determining if

it is safe for our patients to continue aquatic therapy.

Sessum: I'm not really concerned with the 'demodex' component as I would be the

secondary pyoderma, especially if methicillin-resistant & actively draining.

Demodex mites are not contagious, so mites in the pool are not an issue. The

underwater treadmill could actually be a form of hydrotherapy to the skin

assuming the treadmill water is similar to a chlorinated pool (I'm not

recommending this as a form of therapy for all cases of demodicosis, but would

not be too worried either). I would rinse well followed by a benzoyl peroxide

shampoo after the treadmill. Indeed, I would be searching for underlying causes

for demodicosis in an adult dog (endocrine, iatrogenic steroids, neoplasia,

etc.). Mitaban/amitraz is probably not the treatment option (for Demodex mites)

in this dog if the skin/paws are getting wet between dips.

Cheers,

Adam P.

Texas A & M - Dermatology

Demodex and Underwater treadmill

Does anyone have experience with an active demodex infection and the underwater

treadmill? I have a 15 year old Husky who was coming twice weekly for

maintenance work in the treadmill and doing wonderfully! She has recently been

diagnosed with demodex and is seeking treatment through a variety of different

pathways - conventional western med and alternative therapies. I'd like to see

her get some time in the treadmill, but I also don't want to aggravate her skin

with the chlorine. She has lesions on the dorsal aspect of the distal portion

of 3 of 4 paws.

Any thoughts or experiences anyone can pass along?!?

As always, thanks to any and all for the input.

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