The parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei causes mange in nearly 150 species of mammals by burrowing under the skin, triggering hypersensitivity responses that can alter animals' behavior and result in ...extreme weight loss, secondary infections, and even death. Since the 1990s, sarcoptic mange has increased in incidence and geographic distribution in Pennsylvania black bear (Ursus americanus) populations, including expansion into other states. Recovery from mange in free-ranging wildlife has rarely been evaluated. Following the Pennsylvania Game Commission's standard operating procedures at the time of the study, treatment consisted of one subcutaneous injection of ivermectin. To evaluate black bear survival and recovery from mange, from 2018 to 2020 we fitted 61 bears, including 43 with mange, with GPS collars to track their movements and recovery. Bears were collared in triplicates according to sex and habitat, consisting of one bear without mange (healthy control), one scabietic bear treated with ivermectin when collared, and one untreated scabietic bear. Bears were reevaluated for signs of mange during annual den visits, if recaptured during the study period, and after mortality events. Disease status and recovery from mange was determined based on outward gross appearance and presence of S. scabiei mites from skin scrapes. Of the 36 scabietic bears with known recovery status, 81% fully recovered regardless of treatment, with 88% recovered with treatment and 74% recovered without treatment. All bears with no, low, or moderate mite burdens (<16 mites on skin scrapes) fully recovered from mange (n=20), and nearly half of bears with severe mite burden (≥16 mites) fully recovered (n=5, 42%). However, nonrecovered status did not indicate mortality, and mange-related mortality was infrequent. Most bears were able to recover from mange irrespective of treatment, potentially indicating a need for reevaluation of the mange wildlife management paradigm.
Macrocyclic lactone resistance in Psoroptes ovis mites, causing psoroptic mange, is emerging in beef cattle. Therefore, diagnostic tools that can indicate macrocyclic lactone resistance should be ...implemented at farms in order to control these parasitic infections and slow down emerging resistance. Unfortunately, the adoption of such tools remains relatively poor. This study explores which beliefs, and behavioural biases that misconstrue these beliefs, underlie farmers’ adoption intention. Five semi-structured focus groups were conducted with Belgian Blue cattle farmers (n = 38). Inductive analysis revealed that farmers’ positive attitudes towards acaricides use and risk perception towards acaricide resistance made them rather reluctant to implement diagnostic tools. In addition, farmers’ susceptibility to acaricide resistance occurring on their farm was weakened by the optimism and availability bias. Deductive analysis revealed that economic reasons, usefulness of the diagnostic tool and contribution to animal wellbeing motivated farmers to adopt such tools (i.e., behavioural beliefs). However, the loss aversion and time discounting bias weakened farmers’ beliefs related to economic reasons. The veterinarian was seen as the responsible actor for implementing diagnostic tools, while colleague-farmers’ opinion related to the diagnostic tool was also valued (i.e., normative beliefs). The latter belief was strengthened by the bandwagon-effect bias. Farmers’ beliefs about economic costs related to the diagnostic tool tended to hinder adoption intention, while the veterinarian’s assistance motivated farmers to implement such tools (i.e., control beliefs). The loss aversion bias also strengthened farmers’ control beliefs related to the diagnostic tools’ perceived costs. As such, this article provides more insights into the (ir)rational factors shaping farmers’ intention to adopt diagnostic tools. These insights might help animal health organisations to design communication strategies to stimulate the adoption of diagnostic tools on beef cattle farms.
Background
Rabbits are an important worldwide meat‐ and fibre‐producing animal, and they are popular pets. The rabbit ear mite, Psoroptes cuniculi, causes severe dermatological disease. ...Epidemiological data on P. cuniculi infestations are important for public health.
Objective
The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of P. cuniculi infestation in pet rabbits and evaluate epidemiological factors associated with infestation.
Animals
Two hundred pet rabbits presented for veterinary care between 2021 and 2022.
Materials and Methods
Physical examination, otoscopy and microscopy were used for ear mite identification. Association with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), breed, feeding and housing management was analysed.
Results
Of the 200 rabbits, 59 (29.5%) were positive for P. cuniculi. Only female sex had a positive association with P. cuniculi.
Conclusions and Clinical Significance
Psoroptes cuniculi in pet rabbits has a similar frequency to that reported in meat‐producing rabbits, and female sex had a positive association.
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Kaninchen sind weltweit wichtige Tiere zur Fleisch‐ und Wollproduktion, außerdem sind sie beliebte Heimtiere. Die Ohrmilbe des Kaninchens, Psoroptes cuniculi, verursacht eine schwerwiegende dermatologische Erkrankung. Epidemiologische Daten über den P. cuniculi Befall sind für das allgemeine Gesundheitswesen wichtig.
Ziel
Eine Feststellung der Frequenz eines P. cuniculi Befalls bei Heimkaninchen und eine Evaluierung der epidemiologischen Faktoren, die mit diesem Befall einhergehen.
Tiere
200 Heimkaninchen wurden zwischen 2021 und 2022 zur veterinärmedizinischen Untersuchung vorgestellt.
Materialien und Methoden
Eine klinische Untersuchung, Otoskopie und Mikroskopie wurden zur Identifizierung von Ohrmilben angewendet. Ein Zusammenhang mit Alter, Geschlecht, Body‐Mass Index (BMI), Rasse, Fütterung und Haltung wurde analysiert.
Ergebnisse
Von den 200 Kaninchen waren 59 (29,5%) positiv für P. cuniculi. Nur beim weiblichen Geschlecht konnte ein positiver Zusammenhang mit P. cuniculi festgestellt werden.
Schlussfolgerungen und klinische Bedeutung
Psoroptes cuniculi weist beim Heimkaninchen eine ähnliche Frequenz auf wie bei Kaninchen beschrieben ist, die der Fleischproduktion dienen, und beim weiblichen Geschlecht konnte ein positiver Zusammenhang gezeigt werden.
摘要
背景
兔子是世界范围内重要的肉类和纤维生产动物，也是受欢迎的宠物。兔耳螨，Psoroptes cuniculi，可引起严重的皮肤病。兔耳螨感染的流行病学数据对公共卫生很重要。
目的
确定宠物兔的兔耳螨感染频率，并评估与感染相关的流行病学因素。
动物
2021年至2022年期间，200只宠物兔子接受兽医诊治。
材料与方法
采用体格检查、耳镜检查、显微镜检查等方法进行耳螨鉴定。分析了与年龄、性别、体重指数、品种、喂养和生活环境管理的关系。
结果
在200只家兔中，59只(29.5%)兔的兔耳螨呈阳性反应。只有女】雌性与兔耳螨呈正相关。
结论和临床意义
宠物兔的兔耳螨发生率与产肉兔相似，雌性与之呈正相关。
RÉSUMÉ
Contexte
Les lapins sont d'importants producteurs de viande et de fibres textiles dans le monde entier et sont des animaux de compagnie très appréciés. L’acarien du conduit auriculaire du lapin, Psoroptes cuniculi, provoque des affections dermatologiques graves. Les données épidémiologiques concernant les infestations par P. cuniculi sont importantes pour la santé publique.
Objectif
Déterminer la fréquence des infestations par P. cuniculi chez les lapins de compagnie et évaluer les facteurs épidémiologiques associés à l'infestation.
Animaux
200 lapins de compagnie présentés pour des soins vétérinaires entre 2021 et 2022.
Matériels et méthodes
L'examen physique, l'otoscopie et la microscopie ont été utilisés pour l'identification des acariens auriculaires. L'association avec l'âge, le sexe, l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC), la race, l'alimentation et la gestion du logement a été analysée.
Résultats
Sur les 200 lapins, 59 (29,5 %) étaient positifs pour P. cuniculi. Une corrélation entre le sexe féminin et P. cuniculi est identifiée.
Conclusions et importance clinique
L’infestation par Psoroptes cuniculi chez les lapins de compagnie présente une fréquence similaire à celle rapportée chez les lapins de boucherie, et le sexe féminin est corrélée positivement.
要約
背景
ウサギは世界的に重要な食肉および繊維生産動物であり、ペットとしても人気がある。ウサギの耳ダニであるPsoroptes cuniculiは重篤な皮膚疾患を引き起こす。P. cuniculiの感染に関する疫学的データは公衆衛生上重要である。
目的
本研究の目的は、ペットウサギにおけるP. cuniculiの蔓延頻度を明らかにし、蔓延に関連する疫学的要因を評価することであった。
対象動物
2021年から2022年にかけて動物病院を受診したペットウサギ200頭。
材料と方法
耳ダニの同定には身体検査、耳鏡検査、顕微鏡検査を用いた。年齢、性別、肥満度(BMI)、品種、給餌および飼育管理との関連を解析した。
結果
200羽中59羽(29.5%)がP. cuniculi陽性であった。雌のみがP. cuniculiと陽性であった。
結論と臨床的意義
ペットウサギにおけるPsoroptes cuniculiは、食肉用ウサギで報告された頻度と同程度であり、雌性との関連は陽性であった。
Resumo
Contexto
Coelhos são importantes produtores de carne e fibras em todo o mundo, e são também populares animais de estimação. O ácaro de orelha de coelhos, Psoroptes cuniculi, é responsável por causar quadros graves de lesões dermatológicas. Dados epidemiológicos sobre as infestações por P. cuniculi são importantes para a saúde pública.
Objetivo
Determinar a frequência de infestação por P. cuniculi em coelhos de estimação e avaliar os fatores epidemiológicos associados com a infestação.
Animais
200 coelhos de estimação apresentados para cuidados veterinários entre 2021 e 2022.
Materiais e métodos
Exame físico, otoscopia e microscopia foram utilizados para identificação do ácaro de orelha. Analisou‐se a associação com idade, sexo, índice de massa corpórea (BMI), raça, alimentação e alojamento.
Resultados
Dos 200 coelhos, 59 (29,5%) foram positivos para P. cuniculi. Apenas fêmeas apresentaram uma associação positiva com P. cuniculi.
Conclusões e Significância Clínica
Psoroptes cuniculi em coelhos de estimação possui uma frequência similar à relatada em coelhos de produção de carne, e as fêmeas apresentaram uma associação positiva.
RESUMEN
Introducción
Los conejos son un importante animal productor de carne y fibra en todo el mundo, y son mascotas populares. El ácaro de la oreja de conejo, Psoroptes cuniculi, causa enfermedades dermatológicas graves. Los datos epidemiológicos causados por infestaciones por P. cuniculi son importantes para la salud pública.
Objetivo
Determinar la frecuencia de infestación por P. cuniculi en conejos de compañía y evaluar los factores epidemiológicos asociados a la infestación.
Animales
200 conejos de compañía presentados para atención veterinaria entre 2021 y 2022.
Materiales y Métodos
Para la identificación de los ácaros del oído se utilizó examen físico, otoscopia y microscopía. Se analizó la asociación con edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal (IMC), raza, alimentación y manejo del alojamiento.
Resultados
De los 200 conejos, 59 (29,5%) fueron positivos para P. cuniculi. Sólo el sexo femenino tuvo asociación positiva con P. cuniculi.
Conclusiones y significado clínico
Psoroptes cuniculi en conejos de compañía tiene una frecuencia similar a la reportada en conejos productores de carne, y el sexo femenino tuvo una asociación positiva.
Background – Rabbits are an important worldwide meat‐ and fibre‐producing animal, and they are popular pets. The rabbit ear mite, Psoroptes cuniculi, causes severe dermatological disease. Epidemiological data on P. cuniculi infestations are important for public health. Objective – To determine the frequency of P. cuniculi infestation in pet rabbits and evaluate epidemiological factors associated with infestation. Conclusions and Clinical Significance – Psoroptes cuniculi in pet rabbits has a similar frequency to that reported in meat‐producing rabbits, and female sex had a positive association.
Background
Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab), caused by an infestation of the mite Psoroptes ovis, leads to clinical disease, economic loss and severely compromised animal welfare. Here, a ...community‐based approach to the management of scab in three high‐risk areas of England is described.
Methods
For each of the 254 farms included in the study, an initial survey of their clinical sheep scab history was followed up by a blood test (ELISA) to detect the presence of antibodies to P. ovis. This facilitated the coordination of treatment across groups of farms in each region. Blood testing was then repeated at the end of the treatment programme.
Results
On the first blood test in 2021/2022, 25.6% (±5.5%) of the flocks were positive for sheep scab. On the second test in 2022/2023, 9% (±3.94%) of the flocks tested were positive, showing a highly statistically significant reduction in prevalence overall, but with strong regional variation.
Limitations
generating an understanding of the flock‐level nature of the blood test and confidence in its detection of scab where clinical signs were not apparent provided ongoing challenges.
Conclusions
The programme demonstrated that a focused community‐based approach can be used to significantly reduce the prevalence of sheep scab in high‐risk areas of England. The use of the blood test on all farms allowed the identification of subclinical sheep scab. The programme provides an effective model for sheep scab management on a national scale.
Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab) is an infection of substantial economic and animal welfare concern in the UK. Its prevalence has increased rapidly over the last 20 years and management is ...dependent on a small number of acaricidal compounds, many of which are also used to control a range of other endoparasites and ectoparasites. Here, the effects of the macrocyclic lactone (ML) moxidectin was considered using in vitro assays against mites from four farm populations where persistent treatment failure had been reported: two in West Wales, one from the England/Wales border and one in Herefordshire. The data demonstrate resistance in mites from all four farms. This is the first quantitative evidence of ML resistance in Psoroptes mites in the UK. Given the similarities in their mode of action it is highly likely that cross-resistance across the range of this class of compound will be found. The development of resistance to moxidectin is of considerable concern given the already high prevalence of scab infection in some regions; major difficulties in scab management should be anticipated if ML resistance becomes widely established in the UK.
Long‐term pathogen control or eradication in wildlife is rare and represents a major challenge in conservation. Control is particularly difficult for environmentally transmitted pathogens, including ...some of the most conservation‐critical wildlife diseases.
We undertook a treatment programme aimed at population‐scale eradication of the environmentally transmitted Sarcoptes scabiei mite (causative agent of sarcoptic mange) during an epizootic in bare‐nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus). Field trial results were used to parameterize a mechanistic host‐disease model that explicitly described indirect transmission, host behaviour and viable disease intervention methods.
Model analysis shows that elimination of S. scabiei in the wild is most sensitive to the success of treatment delivery, and duration of the programme. In addition, we found the frequency that wombats switch burrows was an important positive driver of mite persistence.
Synthesis and applications. This research emphasizes the utility of applying model‐guided management techniques in order to achieve practical solutions for controlling disease in the field. We find that control efforts of Sarcoptes scabiei are most successful when simultaneous improvements are made to the current best‐practice protocol, specifically the implementation of better treatment application methods in combination with a longer lasting treatment. These suggested management changes may also reduce the resources and field effort required to implement a successful regime. Furthermore, our approach and findings have applicability to other species affected by S. scabiei (e.g. wolves, red foxes, Spanish ibex and American black bear), as well as other conservation‐critical systems involving environmental transmission (e.g. bat white‐nose syndrome and amphibian chytridiomycosis).
This research emphasizes the utility of applying model‐guided management techniques in order to achieve practical solutions for controlling disease in the field. We find that control efforts of Sarcoptes scabiei are most successful when simultaneous improvements are made to the current best‐practice protocol, specifically the implementation of better treatment application methods in combination with a longer lasting treatment. These suggested management changes may also reduce the resources and field effort required to implement a successful regime. Furthermore, our approach and findings have applicability to other species affected by S. scabiei (e.g. wolves, red foxes, Spanish ibex and American black bear), as well as other conservation‐critical systems involving environmental transmission (e.g. bat white‐nose syndrome and amphibian chytridiomycosis).
Outbreaks of sarcoptic mange are sporadically reported in koala populations across Australia, but disease characteristics (e.g., distribution across the body) remain poorly understood. In an area of ...Northern Victoria regular cases coming into care suggest mange may have become enzootic, and here we characterise those koala mange admission records. In 18% (n = 10) of mange affected koala reports that had a recorded outcome (n = 55), the animals died before the carers could locate them, and of the remaining 45 koalas that were alive upon carer arrival, 80% (n = 36) had to be euthanised due to severe mange. The number of admissions varied among years (highest observed in 2019), and over 60% of affected koala admissions were male. Male admissions peaked in austral spring and again in late austral summer-autumn (mating and birthing seasons), with female admissions only exhibiting the latter peak (birthing season). Fissures of the epidermis of the front paws occurred in 100% of admitted koalas, with 70% also showing these signs elsewhere on ventral surfaces or limbs. Only male koalas had signs of mange on the chest and face, and only female koalas had signs of mange on their back. Collectively, this study suggests sarcoptic mange can be a severe disease in koalas, and that male koalas may play an important role in seasonal transmission dynamics. We discuss how these findings may help inform intervention strategies.
Display omitted
•This study sought to investigate the epidemiology of sarcoptic mange disease in a population of koalas in Northern Victoria retrospectively using detailed carer admission records.•Out of 45 koala admissions with sarcoptic mange that were alive when carers arrived, 80% (n = 36) of these had to be euthanised due to advanced mange.•Over 60% of koala mange admissions were male each year, and male admissions peaked in austral spring and again in late austral summer-autumn, with female admissions only exhibiting the latter peak.•There were different patterns of sarcoptic mange signs between male and female koala.•Collectively, this study suggests sarcoptic mange can be severe in koala, and that male koala may play an important role in seasonal transmission dynamics. Our findings may help to inform disease management plans.
Rapid declines in red fox Vulpes vulpes populations have followed outbreaks of epizootic mange caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. In Sweden, the first outbreak of sarcoptic mange started in ...1977/1978 and affected the whole country by 1984. Here we used data on the number of harvested red foxes (51 480) from Gävleborg county (18 199 km2) in Sweden between 1970 and 1994. We used data on the prevalence of sarcoptic mange in a sample of harvested red foxes (2694) from 1974 to 1982. A rapid decline in harvested foxes occurred two to three years after the prevalence of sarcoptic mange first became evident. In the same period, mark–recovery data were used to estimate changes in survival rates, and the best model included an effect of age (young or adult) and period (annual) on the survival and recapture probabilities. The analysis was based on data from 701 young foxes of which 523 were recovered, and 133 adults of which 131 were recovered. Average annual survival was 0.55 (range = 0.53–0.58) for adults and 0.36 (range = 0.32–0.39) for young foxes in the three years preceding the outbreak. During the outbreak and the remaining six years of the study, the average survival was reduced to 0.41 (range = 0.30–0.48) for adults and to 0.25 (range = 0.17–0.30) for young foxes. A population model, based on results on our survival analysis and literature data on fecundity, was developed to project the decline of the fox population. The rate and magnitude of the reduction in projected population and harvested foxes were similar, with both reduced by almost ninety percent. Harvest statistics indicate the fox population recovered to pre‐mange densities in less than 10 years after the first detection of mange indicating a rapid development of resistance in the host. This study shows the importance of long‐term population monitoring in combination with large‐scale field‐experiments to devise alternative management options.
Summary
Chorioptic mange is a common pruritic skin disease in horses and can cause chronic pastern dermatitis. Many to all horses in one stable can suffer simultaneously and transmit the disease to ...one another through contact or by using the same areas. Treatment often is challenging, and failure and relapses are common. This paper reviews the evidence comparing different types of treatment of chorioptic mange in horses and found that although some protocols are partially effective, further comparisons are required.
PDF
