Mange is a pathology that still today causes great concern among animal keepers and is associated with poor care and the possibility of contagion to other animals, including humans.
That is why we are going to dedicate this article on our site to talk about mange in horses, explaining what it is, in what consists and how this unpleasant disease is treated and prevented, which will require veterinary assistance and proper management. Find out below everything about mange in horses:
What is scabies? - Types of mange in horses
Scabies is a parasite tiny spider that lives on the skin of some animals, not just horses, dogs, cats and even humans, can be affected by this unpleasant host. There are different types of scabies. Some will dig tunnels in the skin and that will cause intense itching. Others, without actually "plowing" the skin, cause discomfort by feeding on cells and secretions. Among the different types of mange in horses, the following are distinguished:
- Sarcoptic mange, which is caused by Sarcoptes equi. It is a well-known mite because it can also attack domestic animals and humans, although this type is specific to horses. It is characterized by producing an intense itching. It begins by affecting the head (lips, periocular area, ears), neck, rump and back, and can spread to the rest of the body. It produces small bumps on the skin and alopecia. If the disease is allowed to progress the horse may show apathy and anorexia.
- Foot scabies or chorioptic scabies, is caused by Chorioptes equi. It produces characteristic discomfort in the legs, especially the hooves and hindquarters, which cause the horse to hit the ground in an attempt to get rid of the itch. It progresses more slowly and can remain reduced to a single limb for some time.
- Psoroptic mange, caused by Psoroptes equi, which attacks areas of longer hair or joints. It is usually found in the neck, armpits or English. It also produces itching.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Among the symptoms of mange in horses highlights the following clinical picture:
- Itching, more or less intense, which may be caused by the mite's own activity or by secondary infections that take advantage of the parasite's damaging action.
- Areas with more or less extensive alopecia due to the action of the parasite on the skin, which will end up showing a thickened appearance.
- Wounds, scabs or blisters caused by constant scratching.
- In more severe cases, the horse may show generalized weakness, anorexia, apathy, etc.
The diagnosis is made by direct observation of the parasite under the microscope, test for which a sample is takenscraping the skin It is not always possible to locate and observe the mite, so treatment is prescribed based on the characteristic symptoms and/or the response to the prescribed medication.
Treatment and care
Once the type of mite that causes mange in horses has been identified and, always under veterinary supervision, a specific treatment is prescribed that usually consists of acaricide dewormersfor topical or oral use.
Generally, several applications are needed and we must ensure that the treatment is followed until its completion in order to completely eradicate the parasitosis, even if we see signs of improvement beforehand. In some cases, drugs may be needed for secondary infections Of course, if you have to apply lotions or shampoos, make sure they penetrate the skin well. To do this you can cut the hair.
We must disinfect the stable and the utensils, saddle included, to eliminate the mite from the environment since it is spread by direct contact. We should also wash our hands well after handling the animal. Scabies is usually very contagious, so it is crucial to maintain preventive measures such as those that we will describe in the next section.
Prevention of mange in horses
Prevention to avoid mange in horses includes the following measures, aimed at maintaining the hygiene and he alth of horses to avoid spread of the mite and thus minimize the risk of contagion to other animals and the reinfestation of the sick horse:
- Compliance with deworming, vaccinations and veterinary check-ups set by our reference professional.
- Maintain proper horse hygiene, paying attention to brushing and bathing.
- Provide quality, balanced food adapted to your needs and in sufficient quantity.
- Provide ample space to exercise, as well as a clean stable to rest in.
- When introducing new animals, we must ensure that they are suitably dewormed. If this information is unknown, we must maintain a time of isolation.
- Avoid overcrowding as this parasite is transmitted through direct contact.
