Biscuit

Boxer Rebound's Special Cases

Biscuit, the potentially pretty little girl pictured here, came to us with a grossly advanced case of generalized Demodicosis, also known as Demodectic Mange. The photographs graphically depict how extreme this infestation can become when not treated. Biscuit’s condition, while not contagious, will require prolonged treatment for the mite infestation and any underlying problems. The effects of demodicosis are not necessarily limited to the skin. Some dogs become lethargic and depressed during treatment, although that does not seem to be true in Biscuit’s case. She is alert and playful and loves to have her crusty skin rubbed. The excessive wrinkling seen in the photos is characteristic of the disease and will probably lessen as she improves. She is unaware or unconcerned about how she looks and simply assumes that everyone she meets will love her.

Biscuit was not a stray living on the streets. Someone bought her as a puppy, had her ears cropped and took the trouble to get them to stand. At some point, for unknown reasons, her original owners didn’t want her anymore and passed her off or sold her to someone else. She probably already had a case of localized demodicosis that could easily have been treated. As her condition progressed, Biscuit was passed from person to person, none of whom cared enough to get treatment for her. Fortunately, her situation was eventually brought to the attention of Amy & Michael Mann, boxer people in Indiana. The Manns took Biscuit into their home and obtained veterinary treatment for her immediately, at their own expense. They kept her until Boxer Rebound could make room for her.

Biscuit is expected to fully recover; when she does, she will most likely sport a gorgeous brindle coat (a tiny black stripe on the end on her tail suggests her color). She will stay with us until that time. For now, we rejoice over every little bit of fuzz that appears on her body as she gets better.

We are aware that these photographs may be disturbing to many people, but cases like this demonstrate the sad realities of boxer rescue. Biscuit is one of five boxers currently in our care that are being treated for demodectic mange, a condition that only a few years ago was thought to be rather uncommon in adult dogs. The extent of Biscuit’s condition is due to nothing less than utter ignorance and wanton neglect. We intend to update this page as her treatment progresses – come back soon to see a pretty girl emerge from a scabby little waif.

UPDATE

Day 12 of Biscuit's treatment: Little bits of fuzz are appearing on her back and neck. Tiny black stripes are becoming evident, verifying our guess that she is a brindle. She still has some crusty patches of skin, but they are improving.

Day 25 of Biscuit's treatment: Biscuit's coat is coming in nicely and the scabby areas have all but disappeared. Her skin is beginning to look healthy where the hair has not yet grown in. The excessive wrinkling, especially on her feet, is going away, also.

The best tales must have a happy ending, and so it is with Biscuit. Her Prince Charming (also known as Waldo, a former rescue boxer) arrived at the kennel one day looking for a suitable companion. It was love at first sight - Biscuit thought Waldo was the hottest thing since Fabio. And, as Biscuit's story ends, "Anna's" begins. Sandy, Paul (her new owners), Waldo and Anna (new life, new name) rode off into the sunset to their "castle", where Anna, once upon a time a scabby little waif, now reigns as Queen.

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