Epidemiology and clinical presentation of dogs infected with sarcoptic mange

Abstract

Sarcoptic mange in dog is a common parasitic dermatitis, especially in non-controlled, stray dogs that develop evocative clinical signs. The present study includes 48 dogs, with different backgrounds, both privately owned and dogs from shelters. We searched for predisposing factors for contacting sarcoptic mange, such as: age, sex, breed, source of contamination. Their age ranged from 1.15 months to 12 years (with more than a half being under 1 year old), they were mostly common or cross-breed dogs, and the sex ratio was almost equal, with 25 females and 23 males. All dogs were naturally infected with Sarcoptes scabiei, as confirmed by identification on the microscope of skin scrapings from different body areas. Furthermore, we aimed to have a general idea concerning the severity of infection with Sarcoptes scabiei in the dogs we studied. The dogs received a clinical score based on the evaluation of typical signs that appear in sarcoptic mange such as alopecia, erythema, scales/crusts and the extent of mange on the cutaneous surface on different body parts (head, trunk, legs, tail). The most affected body part was the head, followed by the trunk and the most scored sign was the extent of affected skin and alopecia. The treatment consisted in the administration of either afoxolaner (Nexgard®), twice at a monthly interval (2.7-6.9 mg/kg), either sarolaner (Simparica®), twice at a monthly interval (2-4 mg/kg), or doramectin (Dectomax®) 0.2 mg/kg, twice at 14 days interval.