sarcptic mites

Unfortunately it can be hard to get a definite diagnosis of sarcoptic mange because those darn little mites can move fast enough to dodge a skin scraping.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1589&aid=764
"Since Sarcoptes scabiei is easily transmitted between animals, all dogs in contact with an infected animal should also be treated. Because of the length of the life cycle and ability of the mite to live off of the animal, treatment must continue for a minimum of 4 weeks."

I sure hope they didn't dip those puppies!!  The dips are very toxic.

I don't know what to tell your friends.  The breeder should keep all the pups for another month.

Sarcoptic mites -- it all depends on *how* they treat the sarcops.

To be honest?  I wouldn't touch that pup with a 10 foot pole if they are looking for a healthy pup.  A breeder who just "happens" to have a shepherd pup?  One careless enough to allow a new litter to be exposed to sarcops?

Yeah, wildlife sarcops happen -- but typically?  A fox sarcops isn't going to be really interested in a dog.  Sarcops tend to prefer to breed in their own preferred species.  They'll take a blood feast from a dog, but BREED in dog skin?  Not likely to be honest.  Possible?  yes ... but is it likely under really good birthing circumstances?  Nope.  It's really not something that should happen in a well bred puppy EVEN IF they have wildlife sarcops in the vicinity.

Shepherds have such high risk breed-related health issues (DM, etc.) when not well bred.  Mange would be *tough* with a shepherd -- because you really ought not use ivermectin (which is often the pesticide of choice because the dips are so sloppy) without testing them (particularly not puppies)

yes, sarcops could easily transmit from the pup to the Jack Russell, but also they will bite the humans (the mites will).  Again they ought not breed in human skin but they can be miserable and the whole family is itching.

It turns on whether they are looking for a *healthy* pup or not.  Pups THIS run down ... if they are not well bred for sure ... will run a higher risk of having demodex (which is more genetic than sarcops but both are more prone to happen when the immunity is low -- they won't have sarcops IF there isn't the genetic tendency, but I"m not impressed with this breeder already, and demodex in a shepherd is tough to deal with).

If they decide to take this pup, email me and I will give you my article on mange --

The main concern I would have about waiting until the sarcops is gone is the socialization period passing.  Unless the breeder is willing to start doing the socialization with the pup that will be needed, I'd pass on this one.  Health issues can be dealt with but lack of important early socialization can result in lifelong behavior problems.  The socialization window closes between 12-16 weeks of age.

Callie it's a German Shorthair Pointer not a German Shepherd.I have seen a few members on this forum deal with sarcops and it has taught me that only someone very dedicated is going to want to take on a dog like this.This is not something I would expect from a good breeder and I wouldn't want to pay for a pup that wasn't healthy from the start.Jackie's point about socialization is a good one.

                                                                      Tena

 Tena I would pass on that pup and the breeder.  I'm on a GSP board and am sure that if they want a pup soon that someone on there will be able to point them to a good breeder who has a pup or will have a pup available soon.

Good luck

JackieG

The main concern I would have about waiting until the sarcops is gone is the socialization period passing.  Unless the breeder is willing to start doing the socialization with the pup that will be needed, I'd pass on this one.  Health issues can be dealt with but lack of important early socialization can result in lifelong behavior problems.  The socialization window closes between 12-16 weeks of age.

Glad you posted -- I thot that too, but figured I'd done enough 'damage' regarding mange and you're way more knowledgeable on training than I am.

I suck at acronyms but even with "shorthair" written out and glasses on I missed that at midnight.

A German Shorthaired-pointer should be able to take ivermectin, but you still only do it once a week for the 4 weeks (they typically use LymeDip on pups that little -- stinky but safe and not an organophosphate like the old, but cheap, Paramite Dip (which shouldn't be used on pups)

All breeds have their own breed-related health issues so I'm still going to urge caution.  Doesn't look like any of us are suggesting they turn cartwheels to go get this pup.

*sigh*  sad situation