Q – I purchased Ivermectin from you but when I presented it to my Vet, she took it away from me and forbid me to use it. I took it all in good nature, but after 6 months my dog started to develop a skin rash. When I took him back to the same Vet, she diagnosed him as having Demodex. Also I noticed that she gave me Ivermectin to use on him. However she told me to give it to him orally. He has since cleared up but I am confused. Is this the same stuff? Should I give it to him monthly or just when he has problems?

The BIGBULLDOG: Your question is funny as well as commonly asked. First off I bet your Vet didn’t GIVE the Ivermectin to you. I bet she sold it to you and at a pretty FAT price. I really hate to hear this story but unfortunately it happens far too much. It goes like this; Client is really excited, takes Bully to Vet for checkup. Tells Vet they purchased Bully from Todd Howard who is a Bulldog Breeder and he recommended Ivermectin monthly. Vet tells them in a nice diplomatic manner that Todd does not know what he is talking about etc….. and they should not use this product for preventative maintenance. If this has happened one time it has happened a hundred. So here is where I am. First off telling your Vet that I am a breeder is your first mistake. Most breeders that I have met are craaaaaaazy and Vets know this very well because they have to deal with them. Especially the show breeders. That’s another subject. You should tell them that I am a “Bulldog Engineer” instead….hahaha. Secondly I have no idea why they tell every customer not to use Ivermectin but they do. This is what I have concluded. You only know what you have been taught. Right? Therefore in the Veterinary Desk Reference that every Vet uses, that I have here at my desk tells you to use Ivermectin for a dog that has Demoxex. Therefore if a dog does NOT have Demoxex they believe you should not use it. I believe that EVERY Bulldog has Demodex in his system. In some its lying dormant and others problematic whichever the case, I believe every Bulldog should be treated for it preventatively.

Fact: Previously I had problems with a Bully's skin. He had Demodex. One day I was discussing the subject with a breeder friend who is also a Cattle farmer. He told me to start using Ivermectin monthly and not only would it kill the Demodectic Mange Mite, it would kill Heart Worms and other common worms that plague dogs. Once I began using it , I have rarely had any skin issues. And the ones that I have had were very minor and either caused by me forgetting to give the monthly injection for several months in a row or the dog necessitated a stronger monthly dosage. So you can bet that all of my Bullies get their monthly dose of Ivermectin and I have not taken a dog to the Vet for skin problems since I started using it.

Q - I read on the Ivermectin label and it said DO NOT USE ON DOGS BECAUSE FATATALITIES MAY OCCUR. Are you sure this stuff is safe?

The BIGBULLDOG: I also asked the same question. It was explained to me in this manner; Most Vet’s will recommend you to use Heart Guard for prevention of Heart Worms. Ivermectin is the active ingredient in Heart Guard. However Heart Guard is labeled for dogs, Ivermectin is labeled for Cattle & Swine. Supposedly there was a legal agreement between the two industries that separate how the products can be marketed. Bottom line $$$$$. (Kinda like the oil companies.) However there are some breeds that Ivermectin should not be used on. I only use it on English & French Bulldogs. As I stated earlier since I started using it, the only problem I have had is.... NO Demodex.

For more information about Demodex, and wheather you should or should not breed a dog that exhibits signs of Demodex, click here and read (DEMODEX MANGE)