Pig Mange

Mange is transmitted by direct contact.

Mange is an intensely itchy skin disease caused by two different spider-like parasites: Sarcoptes scabiei or Demodex phylloides. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious and spreads rapidly. Hog mites are host specific, meaning they only infect hogs. An infected hog cannot infect a goat, sheep or other animal..

Chronic and Acute Mange

If mange goes untreated, lesions develop along the neck, elbows, parts of the hock and in and around the ears. Small red pimples covering the skin characterize acute mange.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of mange are raised areas of skin covered with brown scabs around the ears and neck. If untreated, the skin becomes thickened and rough over more of the body. Other symptoms include scratching, ear shaking, hair loss and poor growth.

Diagnosis

Scrapings are taken from lesions inside the ear to confirm the diagnosis. If under microscopic examination the mite is present, the diagnosis is positive. Mange mites are barely visible to the naked eye due to their minute size.

Transmission and Control

In cases of mange, direct contact is the major means of transmission. It is also spread by contact with grooming supplies or pens and fences. Control consists of sanitation and the use of agents to kill the mange mites. Products are available as topical sprays and powders, pour-ons, injections and feed additives. These can be used in conjunction with premise sprays.

Treatment

Management and treatment includes quarantining the infected pigs to prevent the spread to the entire herd. The use of lindane (0.05-0.1 percent), malathion (0.05 percent) sprays, chlordane solutions and Ivermectin (300 µg/kg, SC) is effective for eliminating Sarcoptic mange. Unfortunately, there is no positive treatment for Demodectic mange.

References

• The Pig Site: Mange Mites, Sarcoptes Scabiei
• The Merck Veterinary Manual: Sarcoptic Mange