Clinical and therapeutic studies on mange in horses.
Abstract: At Kafr El-Sheikh province, Egypt, out of 117 examined drafting horses, mites were detected in 20 (17.09%) horses. The recovered mites were 14 Chorioptes, four Psoroptes and two Sarcoptes whereas mites were not detected in four cases clinically showed typical mange lesions. Interestingly, neither the age nor the sex of the examined horses had a clear influence on the prevalence of the infection. Clinical signs observed in mange infested horses were in the form of irregular skin lesions, severe itching and sometimes biting of affected skin areas and decrease feed consumption. The skin lesions mainly start as erythematous area followed by developing of papules and crust formation. Skin scratches as a result of traumatized lesions usually occurred. Hair was lost on the affected parts developing irregular alopecic areas. Distribution of the lesions was varied according to the type of mite. Chorioptic mite was detected in para-anal fold, distal portion of legs and tail lesions, Psoroptic mite was detected in withers, mane, shoulder and flank lesions whereas Sarcoptic mite was isolated mainly from lesions on the head and neck. Complete clinical and parasitological cure for mite infestation were obtained within 2 weeks in both moxidectin and ivermectin treated groups with 100% recovery rate. Our results indicated that moxidectin oral gel is effective and good alternative for the treatment of chorioptic mange in horse to avoid drug resistance that may develop as a result of the intensive use of ivermectin alone for long periods.
Publication Date: 2006-06-19 PubMed ID: 16782277DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.04.039Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research paper discusses a study conducted in Egypt that found a significant presence of mites in drafting horses, identified the types of mites present, noted the signs and symptoms of infestation, examined the areas affected by different mites and concluded the effectiveness of moxidectin oral gel in treating the infestation.
Mite Infestation in Horses
- The research examined 117 drafting horses from Kafr El-Sheikh province in Egypt. Mites were detected in 20 (17.09%) of these horses.
- Three types of mites were identified – Chorioptes, Psoroptes and Sarcoptes. Of the infested horses, 14 had Chorioptes, 4 had Psoroptes and 2 had Sarcoptes. Four cases clinically showed mange lesions, but mites were not detected.
- The research observed that the age and sex of the horses did not affect the prevalence of mite infestation.
Signs and Symptoms of Mite Infestation
- The infested horses exhibited clinical signs such as irregular skin lesions, severe itching, biting of affected skin areas and decreased feed consumption.
- The skin lesions typically began as erythematous (red) areas, which then developed into papules (small, raised, solid areas on the skin), and then crust formation. Hair loss also occurred in the affected areas.
- The inflicted horses malnourished themselves due to the mite infestation.
Impact of Mite Type on Infected Areas
- The distribution of the lesions varied with the type of mite. Chorioptic mite was found in the para-anal fold, legs and tail, Psoroptic mite was detected in the withers, mane, shoulder and flank, and Sarcoptic mite was isolated from the head and neck.
Treatment and Recovery from Mite Infestation
- Both moxidectin and ivermectin were found to be highly effective in treating mite infestation, and a full recovery was observed within two weeks, with a 100% recovery rate.
- The research suggested the use of moxidectin oral gel as a viable option to tackle Chorioptic mange, as it can help avoid drug resistance that may develop due to the prolonged use of ivermectin alone.
Cite This Article
APA
Osman SA, Hanafy A, Amer SE.
(2006).
Clinical and therapeutic studies on mange in horses.
Vet Parasitol, 141(1-2), 191-195.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.04.039 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tanta University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
MeSH Terms
- Administration, Oral
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Egypt
- Female
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Insecticide Resistance
- Insecticides / therapeutic use
- Ivermectin / therapeutic use
- Macrolides / therapeutic use
- Male
- Mite Infestations / drug therapy
- Mite Infestations / pathology
- Mite Infestations / veterinary
- Mites
- Sex Factors
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Carbonell JD, Fernández N, Escobar MJ, Álvarez MT, Sánchez L, Hernández A, Meana A. Comparative Efficacy of Topical Pyrethroids and Benzoyl Peroxide for Treating Chorioptic Mange in Spanish-Breton Horses. J Parasitol Res 2025;2025:8948099.
- Styková E, Valocký I, Kačírová J, Fecskeová LK. Microbiological effect of topically applied Weissella cibaria on equine pastern dermatitis. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1493756.
- Lifschitz A, Nava S, Miró V, Canton C, Alvarez L, Lanusse C. Macrocyclic lactones and ectoparasites control in livestock: Efficacy, drug resistance and therapeutic challenges. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2024 Dec;26:100559.
- Insyari'ati T, Hamid PH, Rahayu ET, Sugar DL, Rahma NN, Kusumarini S, Kurnianto H, Wardhana AH. Ectoparasites Infestation to Small Ruminants and Practical Attitudes among Farmers toward Acaricides Treatment in Central Region of Java, Indonesia. Vet Sci 2024 Apr 3;11(4).
- Brys M, Claerebout E, Chiers K. Chronic Progressive Lymphedema in Belgian Draft Horses: Understanding and Managing a Challenging Disease. Vet Sci 2023 May 12;10(5).
- Hickman D, Prakash A, Bell R. Predictive Value of Grooming Behavior for Development of Dermatitis in Selectively Bred P Rats as a Model of Trichotillomania Hair Pulling Disorder. Vet Sci 2022 Feb 18;9(2).
- Amer S, Abd El Wahab T, El Naby Metwaly A, Feng Y, Xiao L. Morphologic and Genotypic Characterization of Psoroptes Mites from Water Buffaloes in Egypt. PLoS One 2015;10(10):e0141554.
- Amer S, El Wahab TA, Metwaly Ael N, Ye J, Roellig D, Feng Y, Xiao L. Preliminary molecular characterizations of Sarcoptes scaibiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae) from farm animals in Egypt. PLoS One 2014;9(4):e94705.
- Giadinis ND, Farmaki R, Papaioannou N, Papadopoulos E, Karatzias H, Koutinas AF. Moxidectin efficacy in a goat herd with chronic and generalized sarcoptic mange. Vet Med Int 2011;2011:476348.
- el-Khodery SA, Ishii M, Osman SA, Al-Gaabary MH. Comparative therapeutic effect of moxidectin, doramectin and ivermectin on psoroptes mites infestation in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Trop Anim Health Prod 2009 Oct;41(7):1505-11.
- Rahbari S, Nabian S, Bahonar AR. Some observations on sheep sarcoptic mange in Tehran province, Iran. Trop Anim Health Prod 2009 Mar;41(3):397-401.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
