Scabies (sarcoptic mange) in a goat: A clinical case report

Introduction

Goats are susceptible to infestation by a range of ectoparasitic mites, including Sarcoptes, Psoroptes, Chorioptes, and Demodex species, which cause various forms of mange with differing clinical severity. Among these, sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae is considered the most severe due to the burrowing nature of the mite and the intense hypersensitivity reaction elicited in the host (Radostits et al., 2007) [3] . The disease is characterized by intense pruritus, alopecia, crust formation, and progressive thickening of the skin, leading to significant discomfort and reduced productivity. Scabies is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through direct contact between animals, particularly under conditions of overcrowding and poor hygiene (Urquhart et al., 2003) [5] . Lesions are most commonly observed on sparsely haired areas such as the muzzle, periocular region, ears, and neck, with advanced cases showing extension to the ventral body surface, inner thighs, and scrotum (Taylor et al., 2016) [4] . Although sarcoptic mange is often reported more frequently in young or immunocompromised animals, outbreaks affecting goats of all age groups have also been documented (Nwoha, 2011; Lughano & Dominic, 2006) [2,1] . The present report describes a clinical case of scabies in a goat and highlights the diagnostic approach and therapeutic response.

Case history and clinical findings

A goat from a private farm with a history of skin problems affecting multiple animals was presented for clinical examination. The affected goat showed marked pruritus, restlessness, and progressive hair loss. Clinical examination revealed alopecic patches around the eyes, muzzle, and dorsal aspect of the neck. The skin appeared thickened, wrinkled, and dry, with crusty lesions observed in affected areas. Additional lesions were noted on the ventral body surface and inner thighs (Figure 1). The animal showed signs of discomfort due to intense itching, leading to frequent scratching and rubbing against objects. Based on the clinical signs and herd history, a tentative diagnosis of mange was made. The mites were globose in shape with a dorsally folded cuticle, and the fourth pair of legs did not extend beyond the body margin. Based on these morphological characteristics, the mites were identified as Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae, confirming the diagnosis of sarcoptic mange.

Treatment and management

The affected goat was treated with ivermectin at a dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg body weight, administered subcutaneously. A second dose was repeated after a one-week interval as per recommended therapeutic protocol. Following treatment, a marked reduction in pruritus was observed within a few days. Progressive healing of skin lesions, reduction in crust formation, and initiation of hair regrowth were noted. Complete clinical recovery was achieved after the second dose, with no recurrence observed during follow-up.

Discussion

Scabies remains an important parasitic skin disease of goats with considerable implications for animal welfare and farm economics. The clinical signs observed in the present case, including alopecia, crusted lesions, thickened and wrinkled skin, and intense pruritus, are in close agreement with earlier descriptions of sarcoptic mange in goats (Nwoha, 2011; Radostits et al., 2007) [2,3] . The distribution of lesions around the head, neck, and ventral body regions reflects the predilection sites of Sarcoptes scabiei mites. While mange infestation is often reported to be more prevalent in young animals, the occurrence of sarcoptic mange across different age groups, as observed in this case, supports previous findings that age is not a limiting factor when management and environmental conditions favor transmission (Lughano & Dominic, 2006; Urquhart et al., 2003) [1,5] . Definitive diagnosis through microscopic examination of deep skin scrapings remains a reliable and economical method, allowing identification of mites at various developmental stages (Taylor et al., 2016) [4] . Ivermectin continues to be the drug of choice for the treatment of sarcoptic mange in goats due to its broadspectrum antiparasitic activity and ease of administration.

Administration of ivermectin at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight, repeated after one week, has been shown to effectively eliminate mites and interrupt their life cycle (Radostits et al., 2007; Nwoha, 2011) [3,2] . The rapid clinical improvement observed in the present case further substantiates the efficacy of ivermectin in the successful management of caprine scabies.

Conclusion

The present case report highlights scabies as a significant and contagious ectoparasitic disease in goats. Accurate diagnosis through skin scraping and prompt treatment with ivermectin resulted in successful recovery. Early intervention and appropriate control measures are essential to prevent spread

References

1. Lughano JM, Dominic K. Epidemiology and control of sarcoptic mange in small ruminants. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2006;38:123-130.
2. Nwoha RIO. A case report on scabies in a goat. Clin Rev Opin. 2011;3(5):51-54.
3. Radostits OM, Gay CC, Hinchcliff KW, Constable PD. Veterinary medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats. 10 th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
4. Taylor MA, Coop RL, Wall RL. Veterinary parasitology. 4 th ed. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell; 2016.
5. Urquhart GM, Armour J, Duncan JL, Dunn AM, Jennings FW. Veterinary parasitology. 2 nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Science; 2003.