Demodex in dogs - diet a concern?

I think my dog has demodex. I noticed an area right around his hackles between his shoulder blades where he is beginning to lose his hair. I looked the skin over and alls I could find was what looked like a small raised red bump (like a pimple) near the site of hair-loss.





The dog is a rescue dog that is about 8 months old. The dog initially was very stressed but seems to be adapting very well to his new home. I also started supplementing his kibble with a combination of cooked meat, yogurt plain (a tablespoon), some sort of whole grain product like whole wheat egg noodles, wheat bread crumbs etc and once every few days I might add some ground flax seed (just a pinch). The kibble compromises about 60% - 70% of his daily intake and the homemade food about 30%-40%.





I have read that demodex is common in dogs (or at least the mite that causes) and infection or lesions in young dogs who may have under developed immune systems is normal. I have only noticed one area.





I actually have a background in human nutrition and thought the food I was giving him was in line with what is recommended. It also may be totally unrelated.





Has anyone out there had a similar experience?Demodex in dogs - diet a concern?
With all due respect, Sandra doesn't seem to have a clue what she's talking about as far as diet goes (other than that human and canine nutrition are very different). You seem to have a much better grasp on nutrition (including canine) than most people on this group (although be careful you don't overestimate you abilities, and check your decisions with reputable sources). You're right to be suspicious of much of the nutrition information on the net. I can recommend a few books that I refer to if you'd like (e-mail me if you're interested).





As far as the problem at hand goes, often when a dog has demodectic mange, we look for some underlying condition, so yes, diet would be on the 'rule out' list. I wouldn't however at this stage be convinced that this is demodex (there are a lot of potential causes here that you haven't even come close to ruling out).





My advice --- go to the vet, and get them to have a look at it. In the early stages, these things can be much easier to treat than in the later stages (plus you have more time to go looking for a solution when it isn't that bad).





Best of Luck!Demodex in dogs - diet a concern?
With all due respect, Sandra doesn't seem to have a clue what she's talking about as far as diet goes (other than that human and canine nutrition are very different).





Care to elaborate?

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One pimple doesn't mean he has mites; it could be a bug bite or something else. Diet has nothing to do with a dog getting mites.





I urge you to rethink what you are feeding your dog. Human and dog nutrition are soooo very different. I feed a prey model diet to my greyhound and she is thriving. Dogs have absolutely no need for grains, yogurt, flax seed or cooked meat.