Some epidemiological and therapeutic studies in sarcoptic mange of dogs in rural and urban areas
Abstract
Sarcoptic mange is most common, highly contagious, intensely pruritic and notorious cutaneous infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var canis. The present study was undertaken to establish the correlation of skin disorders with host factors (age, sex and breed) and environmental determinants (ambient temperature, relative humidity and rainfall.) Efforts were also made to evaluate the efficacy of various drugs like ivermectin (s.c. and orally) alone or with supportive therapy (Vit. C, Vit. E and Selenium), flumethrin (pour on preparation) and deltamethrin spray on clinical recovery and restoration of haematological indices in sarcoptic mange affected dogs.
The epidemiological study revealed that in the last five years (July 1998 to June 2003), dogs suffered with various skin disorders. Tick infestation was most common and major dermatological problem in Hisar region. Sarcoptic mange was second most common dermatoses followed by lice infestation, demodectic mange, allergy, flea allergy dermatitis, eczema and pyoderma.
Ambient temperature was found major environmental factor influencing occurrence of dermatoses. So dermatoses cases which were minimum in January increased linearly as the ambient temperature increased in subsequent months. In Hisar, as summer peaked from June to September, dermatoses cases were also maximum during these months. Sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange and tick infestation were positively corrected with ambient temperature and negatively correlated with relative humidity. Rainfall also have positive correlation with ticks infestation. In contrast, lice infestation was negatively correlated with ambient temperature and rainfall while positively correlated with relative humidity.
Sarcoptic and demodetic mange mainly affected dogs in age group of 1-3 years i.e. dogs in the highest activity period (above 6 month to 3 years). Male dogs and Spitz breed suffered most from all skin disorders. The survey of dogs reporting to Veterinary Clinic revealed that most dogs were given imbalanced diet, were poorly managed and were provided too frequent baths. Extensive epidemiological studies conducted in three villages adjacent to Hisar indicated that the proportion of sarcoptic mange cases was similar in both urban and rural dogs.
The clinico-therapeutic studies were conducted on 36 dogs suffering from sarcoptic mange. Symptoms of Itching, alopecia, irritability, were observed in all dogs and inappetance, erythema and keratinization was observed in many dogs. Usually skin lesions were large, multiple in number, round shaped and located on ear, tail, head and face.
Dogs were observed clinically and parasitologically on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 post treatments. The recovery rate was fastest in dogs, that received ivermectin subcutaneously along with supportive therapy. Recovery was slower in dogs, that received ivermectin orally or ivermectin alone (without supportive therapy). Flumethriin did not have adequate effect in reducing severity of clinical symptoms. The routine treatments with deltamethrin reduced the severity of clinical symptoms in severe cases and complete recovery was seen in mild cases only.
Clinically all dogs affected with sarcoptic mange were anemic with leukocytosis and eosinophilia. The supportive therapy of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium gave best result, in restoration of normal haematological indices.