Richmonders love their pets. In 2005, Richmond was voted one of the country’s top 10 dog-friendly cities by Dog Fancy magazine, which wasn’t likely to surprise anyone in Richmond. With a wide offering of canine friendly activities and businesses, Richmond is a great place for pooch parents. It’s also a great town for cats and those who love them. With the recent announcement that no healthy homeless pet was killed in Richmond during 2006, our city can also be known as a safe community for pets looking for a new home, a distinction that should bring pride to pet owners.

As with any true love, loving a pet brings a desire to do and know more. That’s why the Richmond SPCA was eager to respond to TimesDispatch.com’s invitation to provide a blog all about pets. We hope Dogblog/Catchat will become a place for dialogue.  Questions and comments are what take a blog beyond an internal monologue, and we want to welcome you and your input from the inception.

Our vets, behaviorists and adoption counselors will share this space to offer their insights and expertise on assorted topics.  Look here each Monday for Irresistible Fun! That’s our new adoption programs tagline, unveiled with an expectation of making the Robins-Starr Humane Center a fun destination for pet lovers of every age for a variety of reasons.

On Wednesdays, expect an update from the Richmond SPCA’s department of education and training.  Behavior Helpline Manager Marie Tripton brings several years of experience fielding calls from dog and cat owners.  She will weigh in on the week’s topic with general insight as well as samples of specific calls and e-mails.

Fridays give our medical team the opportunity to offer guidance from a veterinary perspective. Tips from our vets and technicians will help you make the most of your pets’ health and wellness.

Overall, our desire for this blog is to help Richmond pet parents get the most out of the love and companionship their pets bring. We look forward to chatting with you in the weeks and months ahead!

Thanks for your comment, Becky.  It must be really difficult to see her suffer.  I’ve consulted Dr. Angela Ivey, director of Veterinary Medicine at the Richmond SPCA, and this is her recommendation.

Due to the immune component of Demodex and because of your dog’s age, the condition may not be curable.  However, the condition should be controllable, or manageable, and there are alternatives to treating him with the dip.  You should talk with your veterinarian about oral treatment options.  Without some control measures in a dog this age, the condition will worsen.  It doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive, but you do have to be persistent with it and be sure the dog is healthy in all other areas (clear of parasites, up-to-date on vaccines, spayed, well-groomed, consistent diet, etc.).  There are several reputable veterinarian-reviewed Web sites providing general health information that you should be able to access.  Educating yourself on your dog’s condition can help you to work better with your veterinarian to develop a treatment plan.

I have a 10 month old great dane. She has Demodectic mange. The vet dipped her and it made her so sick I thought she was going to die, I have put MANY medicines on this but it is only getting worse. PLEASE help me to help my Sadee. I am spending money I can’t afford trying to find something to help her. Thanks. Becky

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