Scabies

[squashynose]

The other night there was a little staffy mix thrown over the fence, she had literally JUST had pups, was really filthy and skinny. As it was quite late I just brought her up to my flat and she stayed here for the night. She's been to see the vet today, and he said she might have scabies. Now I'm worried that me and Vernon might catch them, and I also had 3 kittens I was fostering in the same room.
I didn't talk to the vet, so can anyone fill me in on how contageous they are? What should I look out for on Vernon? And what about my furniture and rugs etc, can they live on them?
Cheers

[Julia423]

Scabies is caused by mites and is very contagious...I don't know a whole lot about them but enough to know that treatment is needed immediately and all bedding in the house (human & animal) should be washed with hot water and bleach if possible...someone else may have more information for you.

[squashynose]

Poo. Thought it'd be bad. I've shut the door on that room since I took them out, and not been back in. I can't bleach everything, but we have virucidal disinfectant I can wash stuff in, do you reckon that'd work? It generally kills spiders and creepy crawlies if they get in it, so it might kill mites too. Or I could Frontline the flat?

[craigminah]

Scabies is caused by mites and is very contagious...I don't know a whole lot about them but enough to know that treatment is needed immediately and all bedding in the house (human & animal) should be washed with hot water and bleach if possible...someone else may have more information for you.

It depends, my dog had demodex mites which were not transferable to humans and didn't require washing of everything since these mites live in soil (according to my vet). Of course, there's another form of mites I know nothing about...

Take your dog to the vet, find out what it has, and get something to cure it... Hope your dog get well soon.

[tiffers]

I'm a little concerned with the "thought the dog might have". They didn't do a skin scraping to prove either or?!

There are two types of mites. Sarcoptic and Demodex. Sarcoptic, is HIGHLY contagious, and a very nasty itchy mange. Demodex is cleaner, and doesn't itch. Demodex does NOT solely live in the soil. It lives on every dog and most humans and only when the immune system is lowered does it really shine. However, with a pregnant/nursing dog, it's more likely to be Demodex. If she's itching, she's probably got a skin infection to go right along with it.

What are you going to do with the infected dog? Are you keeping her to treat? Did you let her go?

[Wendy Zhang]

why u didn't tell the whole to the vet, he may give u a define on scabie that she had , so that can kill them thorough by the instrustion,and i hope u and your kids can go back sooner, and secure they are away from infection. but i am more concerned about the infectious dog, and u haved it properly cured.

[squashynose]

It isn't my dog, I live in a flat at our RSPCA, on call over night (as well as working there during the day!). She's in the kennels now. She doesn't appear to be itching, so let's hope it's demodex? They did do a skin scrape, but we are still awaiting the results. Just thought I'd find out what precautions to take incase the results came back positive.

[squashynose]

Thought I'd show you how cute this poor dog is!
This was the night I found her:
5745
First day in the kennel was a bit scary, so needed a comfort blanket:
5746
After a lovely bath and with her new surrogate babies:
5747

[tiffers]

They did do a skin scrape, but we are still awaiting the results.

WHAT!? :eek: ...a skin scraping is done in house and can be read in two seconds by looking under the microscope.

...she's CRAZY cute, though. :D

[squashynose]

Sorry I ain't very clear. We have a vet come to the shelter 3 times a week to run a clinic for us, so he will have taken the slide back to the practise. And they're pretty poo so will keep us waiting til Monday for the results.
And I think I'm paranoid now, keep getting itchy bits.

[tiffers]

Oh, okay. I understand now. I was floored...as you could tell. I guess I should have said, "Skin scrapings can be read in as fast as it takes you to get to a microscope."