Symptoms and treatment of scabies in pigs
Among skin diseases of animals, scabies in pigs, or sarcoptic mange, is quite common, which, in the absence of timely measures, can develop into neglected forms and take generalized symptoms.
Scabies in pigs
Etiology of sarcoptic mange
The causative agent of scabies in pigs is an intradermal parasitic mite. Under a microscope in the photo, this parasite looks like an oval-shaped flattened living organism with a maximum possible size of up to 0.5 mm. The tick has a gnawing mouth apparatus through which it penetrates the skin. When in contact with the skin, the females of the mite lay eggs 2-8 pcs. for one clutch, gradually moving under the skin. For the entire period of existence, which is about 22-30 days, the female parasitic tick can lay up to 60 eggs.
With diseases of sarcoptic mange, animals begin to show anxiety due to constant itching. Crusts or rude folds appear on the affected areas.
In the larval stage, which lasts for 3-5 days, the parasites feed on the cells of the epidermis. As it matures, the larva enters the teleonymph stage, in which it is capable of fertilizing, and for this purpose it emerges on the surface of the skin, settling into new areas of the skin.
The parasites that cause the appearance of sarcoptic mange are able to migrate to other animals and pose a potential danger to humans.
The causative agent of scabies is able to maintain its viability outside the host organism for 2 weeks. When the temperature drops to -5 ° C, it dies after 1-5 days, when the environment is heated to 50 ° C, 30-40 minutes is enough for the death of a tick. For the immediate destruction of the scabies mite, it is necessary to increase the temperature degree to 80 ° C.
Contributing factors and causes
Infected individuals are the main source of infection. The most active vectors of the disease are boars in contact with all sows in the herd.
In the case of close constant contact with infested individuals, scabies in pigs takes on a protracted form due to cyclically repeating stages of infection.
In addition to sick animals, parasites can be transmitted on the clothing of technical personnel and technical equipment. Small rodents, domestic cats and dogs act as mechanical carriers of itch mites.
A non-disinfected enclosure can be a source of infection for healthy individuals.
Among the reasons contributing to the disease of sarcoptic mange are:
- violation of a full-fledged diet of feeding,
- vitamin A deficiency
- excess calcium
- stressful conditions of animals associated with changes in conditions of keeping and transportation,
- violation of sanitary standards for keeping animals,
- excessive overcrowding of livestock,
- dampness in the room where animals are kept,
- lack of regular walking.
The disease with sarcoptic mange is often seasonal.The greatest danger of infection occurs in the autumn and early spring days. In the summer, the peak of the disease decreases, but one cannot count on self-healing of animals.
Sarcoptic mange often affects young animals until they reach the age of one. Piglets at 2-5 months of age are at greatest risk.
Massive defeat of livestock leads to economic damage to the pig breeding farm, including:
- leads to the death of young animals,
- slows down the growth rate of piglets,
- increases feed and veterinary costs,
- limits profits due to quarantine restrictions on the sale of animals and meat products.
Symptoms of sarcoptic mange
Scabies mites penetrating through their gnawing mouth apparatus injure the skin and cause inflammatory processes that begin to spread deep into the layers of the epidermis. The inflammatory process can be aggravated by allergic reactions to the vital activity of parasites.
The incubation period for scabies in pigs lasts up to 2 weeks.
Inflammation caused by a tick entering the body leads to thickening and swelling of the skin, which are the initial signs of the disease in piglets and pigs. As sarcoptic mange develops, changes occur that damage the hair follicles, which causes hair loss. The resulting microtraumas of the epidermis serve as a place for the penetration of other infections.
Among the main symptoms of scabies in piglets and signs of skin lesions with scabies in pigs are:
- initial redness with red dots - places where parasites enter the skin,
- the appearance of small abscesses,
- the formation of crusts on injured and combed places,
- hardened areas of the skin,
- thickening and wrinkling,
- loss of elasticity by the epidermis,
- the appearance in advanced forms of bleeding cracks.
The symptoms of scabies development in pigs are most noticeable on the ears, in the eye area, near the snout. Gradually, in advanced forms of the disease, ticks spread to the dorsal region and sides, down the belly and to the inner surface of the thigh. Among other signs - the formation of foci with gray-white crusts on the skin, which cause itching.
With all local symptoms, general intoxication and exhaustion sometimes appear, often leading to death.
With an untimely prescribed treatment, small foci begin to merge with each other, the crusts change in color to black and brown shades. Pig skin begins to thicken with characteristic coarse folds. Severe lesions lead to neurological changes in pig behavior that become aggressive.
Diagnostics and treatment
The diagnosis of the disease is made on the basis of laboratory studies, taking into account the received epizootological data and symptoms. Ear scrapings are sent to the laboratory, taken from more than 10% of the livestock. In the case of revealed sarcoptic mange, differentiation of the diagnosis is made with other skin diseases: shingles, demodicosis, head lice. After a confirmed diagnosis, treatment for scabies in pigs is prescribed.
Among the main drugs, how to treat scabies in pigs, there are:
- aerosols for topical application in the form of spraying,
- solutions for external use in the form of sprinkling,
- solutions for preparation and injection,
- feed additives.
The most effective treatment for scabies in piglets and adults is considered to be injections of anti-mite drugs, the dosage and effect of which depends on the weight of the animal. The greatest efficiency in the treatment of sarcoptic mange was shown by such agents as doramectin and ivermectin, used as anti-scab agents, administered subcutaneously with a repeat after 2 weeks.
Before using external solutions for treatment, the affected areas of the epidermis are pre-cleaned from contamination and formed crusts using a soap solution with creosote.
How to carry out the processing correctly, you can watch the video.
There are 2 ways how to treat scabies in pigs using solutions for external use: spraying and watering. This is done in the conditions of industrial pig breeding and households using special means: chlorophos, creolin, diperocide, amitraz, ectosinol, which are sprayed, or by watering the animals in the pen.
Among the popular methods to cure sarcoptic mange is a sour cream mixture with gunpowder from a ratio of 3: 1, infused for 3 hours, with which the affected areas of the epidermis are treated. Garlic tincture is used as other folk remedies for external treatment.