[Effectiveness of coumaphos against chorioptes bovis in a horse with foot-mange (author’s transl)].

The study examines the efficacy of the chemical compound coumaphos in treating foot-mange, a condition caused by mites, in a horse. The treatment was unsuccessful, and further testing revealed the mites’ resistance to coumaphos but sensitivity to another compound called lindane. The affected horse recovered after lindane treatment.

Background

• The study focused on a case where a horse with foot-mange did not improve after several coumaphos treatments. Foot-mange, a parasitic infestation caused by mites, is a skin condition that can cause severe discomfort and health issues in horses. Traditionally, coumaphos has been used as a treatment, but it failed in this case.

Study Design and Findings

• The researchers isolated mites from the non-responsive horse and tested their sensitivity to coumaphos and lindane in a controlled lab environment.
• Results found the mites were resistant to coumaphos, explaining why the treatment had been ineffective. This also suggests that mites have developed resistance against coumaphos over time due to exposure.
• Conversely, the mites were sensitive to lindane, implying that this compound could potentially be effective in treating foot-mange.

Treatment and Results

• Following the in vitro findings, the horse was then treated with lindane instead of coumaphos.
• The horse’s condition improved significantly and it completely recovered within a span of four weeks.

Conclusion

• This study has significant implications on the treatment protocol of foot-mange in horses. It suggests that coumaphos may not be effective in certain cases due to possible development of resistance by mites.
• Lindane appears to be a potential alternative treatment for foot-mange, proving to be successful in this case. However, more research is needed across more horses and different mite strains to ascertain lindane’s wider efficacy and potential for broader use.