Kelso's demodectic mange came back and the new vet decided to treat with a six week course of oral Ivermectin, the primary ingredient in Heartguard.   Instead of the nasty baths in Mitaban, he got to have a daily splash of Ivermectin in his food.  Joint pain is listed as a common side effect of Heartguard, even when only administered once a month, so imagine the potential with 45 straight days of it!

The good news is that he seems to have finally beaten the mites, but now he's limping on his back right leg.  He went to the vet for his follow-up and the vet seemed totally unconcerned about it.  Didn't even offer suggestions for making him more comfortable.   However, K-dog is only 16 months old and, being a corgi, I don't want this to carry any lingering ill effects for his joint health.  I'm in the process of retooling all the boys' food--we're moving off kibble (they're already on grain-free, though), moving towards all raw, and will be adding some EFAs and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.  This is long term.

In the short term, how do I make sure he gets better quickly?  It isn't really slowing him down--he still wants to run and play with his brother. He just doesn't put weight on it.  I'm concerned that it won't get better if he doesn't take it easy, though.  I'm going to try some apple cider vinegar in his dinner tonight--I read that helps with joint inflammation.  I've been massaging it for him when he lays next to me on the couch.  Is there anything else I could be doing to help the inflammation pass?   And what is a normal time frame for this to last.