So what is the holistic way to treat demodex? I am curious.
Well, since demodex is essentially an immune system problem, especially when older (ie: passed adolecence) dogs aquire it, the main objective is to get the immune system back kick started. The traditional ivermectin treatment sort of trick starts the immune system, but it more of a quick fix, IMO.
Belle has most likely had this since she was younger. She was discovered in a shelter in Florida by a rescuer on the Alabama/Georgia line who pulled her. Belle most likely had a light case of demodex before she went into the shelter, but the stress of being there kicked it into high gear. When she was pulled, it did get a little better. When she was adopted by the lady that had her, it got better as well, but soon got worse. The lady was overwhelmed, and as a result, Belle was stressed. Over the time between the shelter, the rescue, and her first home, Belle was treated on and off with antibiotics and ivermectin. Over time, the body just kind of absorbs it and develops a sort of resistance to it. Also, ivermectin works great on blood sucking parasites-sarcops mites (AKA scabies, sarcoptic mange, contagious mange), intestinal worms, and microflaria/heartworms. But demodex mites feed on the oils of the skin rather than the blood, so the ivermectin isn't even touching them that way, but rather, as I said kind of tricking the immune system into a quick jump start.
The first step to a holistic treatment, or rather a less traditional treatment, is to get them on a high quality food. Home cooked would be best, but I can't do that right now, so I've got her on the best kibble I can afford. You really wouldn't want to do RAW right away with a generalized demodex case mainly due to the compromised immune system-it may not be be able to handle the bacteria associated with raw foods that a healthy dog can handle.
Frequent baths in a benzoyl peroxide shampoo will help open the pores- where the demodex mite live. Then a rinse in tea tree oil helps soothe the skin and flush out the mites. Boosting the immune system with a high quality source of omega fatty acids (3&6), vitamins A, C, and E, Echinacea, Colostrum, MSM, and other immune supplements. A lady from another forum introduced this idea to me. She has treated many cases this way successfully. After researching it for myself, it really does make sense. I have yet to have a severe case of generalized demodex since finding this, but have treated a less severe case of generalized demodex and a case of localized demodex without as much as looking at ivermectin or dipping.
The dipping alone, by the way, is a huge risk, IMO. It is a poison essentially, so one has to make sure the dog doesn't ingest any of the dip or there could be bad consequences.
