Skin: sarcoptic mange

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Epidemiology (population dynamics), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Standard treatment, Prevention, Control, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Mr David Scarff BVetMed CertSAD MRCVS
Dr Karen Campbell DVM MS DipACVIM DipACVD

Introduction

  • Cause : mite Sarcoptes scabiei Sarcoptes scabiei ; highly contagious to Canidae and humans.
  • Signs : pruritus, self-trauma (especially at predilection sites - hocks, elbows, pinnae, sternum).
  • Diagnosis : pruritus, papules and crusting.
  • Treatment : phosmet sponge-on preparation, amitraz dip (not in UK), lime sulfur dip, oral ivermectin, oral milbemycin.
  • Prognosis : excellent - guarded if systemically ill.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Papules and crusting, especially on hocks Skin: crusting due to Sarcoptes , elbows, brisket and pinna margins Sarcoptic mange: pinna lesions.
  • Pinnal border, scratch reflex Scabies: of the ear margin.
  • Self-trauma Scabies: excoriation.
  • Secondary bacterial infection → pyoderma.
  • Severe crusting.
  • Hyperpigmentation.
  • Lichenification Scabies: chronic
  • Alopecia Scabies: alopecia.
  • Periorbital lesions Sarcoptic mange: periorbital lesions may occur.
  • No lesions but pruritic (Scabies incognito).
  • Systemic illness; pyrexia.
  • Severe signs if concurrent with systemic disease, eg hepatopathy, hypothyroidism (Norwegian scabies).

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Other causes of pruritus include:
    • Pediculosis Skin: pediculosis.
    • Flea hypersensitivity Skin: flea bite hypersensitivity.
    • Cheyletiellosis Skin: cheyletiellosis.
    • Pyoderma Skin: deep pyoderma.
    • Severe atopy in retriever breeds.
    • Food hypersensitivity Skin: food hypersensitivity.
    • Contact hypersensitivity Skin: allergic contact dermatitis.
  • Causes of papule formation.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Excellent.
  • Guarded: if systemically ill.

Expected response to treatment

  • Reducing pruritus within 5 days.
  • May take weeks for lesions to resolve.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Incorrect diagnosis.
  • Failure to address secondary pyoderma.
  • Inadequate or inappropriate therapy.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Paradis M (1998) Ivermectin in small animal dermatology Part II. Extralabel applications. Comp Cont Ed Prac Vet 20 , 459-469.
  • Foley R H (1991) Parasitic mites of dogs and cats. Comp Cont Ed Prac Vet 13 , 783-801.
  • Schmeitzel L P (1988) Cheyletiellosis and scabies. Vet Clin NA 18 , 1069-1076.
  • Smith E K (1988) How to detect common skin mites through skin scrapings. Vet Med 83 , 165-170.

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