Sarcoptic Mange in Camels

Sarcoptic Mange in Camels

• Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious and prevalent disease in camels, especially in cold and humid areas.
• It is considered the second most important disease in camels, causing severe losses, after trypanosomiasis.
• Characterized by itching, dermatitis, and emaciation in chronic cases.

Cause and Predisposing Factors

• Caused by burrowing mites (Sarcoptes Scabei var cameli).
• Predisposing factors include:
  • Young and old camels with lowered immunity.
  • Concurrent diseases such as parasitic infestations, trypanosomiasis, and tuberculosis.
  • Large camel populations and malnutrition.

Lifecycle of Sarcoptes

• Female Sarcoptes deposit eggs deeply in the skin, which hatch into larvae within 2-4 days.
• Larvae develop into nymphs, which molt to produce male and female mites after 4 days.
• Females start laying eggs again after mating, completing the life cycle in 15-21 days.

Transmission and Clinical Findings

• Transmitted through direct and indirect contact among camels and to humans.
• Clinical findings include:
  • Severe itching and hairless areas on the skin.
  • Itching, folding of affected skin with ulceration and scab formation.
  • Emaciation in chronic cases and reduced milk production in lactating she-camels.

Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis

• Diagnosed through:
  • Clinical signs.
  • Microscopical examination of skin scrapings.
  • Significant eosinophilia in the blood.
• Differential diagnosis includes:
  • Streptothricosis (mycotic dermatitis or lumpy wool).
  • Ringworm.
  • Camel pox.
  • Lice infestation.

Treatment and Control

• Treatment involves:
  • Clipping, washing, and drying camels before treatment.
  • Parenteral treatment with ivermectine 1% at 0.2 mg/kg, repeatable after 15 days.
  • Spraying treatment with diazenon, Neocidol, and gold fleece at 1/1000, repeated every 10 days for 3-4 times.
  • Pour-on treatment with ivermectine pour-on.
  • Topical treatment with sulfur ointment 10%.
• Control measures include:
  • Periodical spraying of camels and their surroundings with acaricidal.
  • Isolation and treatment of affected camels.
  • Ensuring camels' rations contain vitamin "A" and minerals.

Learn about Sarcoptic mange, a highly contagious disease affecting camels, its causes, symptoms, and predisposing factors. Test your knowledge on this important disease.