How to Get Rid of Goat Mange

Goat mange can be treated using a variety of methods

Goats can suffer from sarcoptic mange, chorioptic mange, psoroptic mange and demodectic mange. Each mange is caused by a different skin mite and treatment must be tailored accordingly. Injections, topical ointments, dips and sprays may be used to treat the mange.

Things You'll Need

• Lugol's iodine
• Rotenone
• Propylene glycol
• Ivermectin
• Doramectin
• Moxidectin
• Organophosphate dip
• Pyrethroid dip
• Lime-sulfur
• Ronnel
• Alcohol

Instructions

Identifying Mange Type

1. Sarcoptic mange (caused by S. scabiei var. caprae) usually starts as lesions on the head and neck and spreads to a generalized skin condition with thickening of the skin. The Merck Veterinary Manual advocates treatment with injections of ivermectin, doramectin or moxidectin at 200 µg/kg (microgram per kilogram) as effective in curing the disease.

2. Chorioptic mange (caused by C. caprae) is quite common in goats. The feet and legs develop papules and crusts in a similar pattern to infected cattle. Treatment, if necessary, involves using sprays or dips containing organophosphates (diazinon, metrifonate or propetamphos).

3. Psoroptic mange, caused by Psoroptes cuniculi, usually affects the ears of goats. The treatment advised by the Merck Veterinary Manual is ivermectin and moxidectin (200 µg/kg) given twice with a 7- or 10-day interval, respectively, is effective. Doramectin (300 µg/kg) given once is also effective. Dipping treatments are 0.3 percent coumaphos, .15 to .25 percent phosmet, .03 to 0.1 percent diazinon and 2 percent hot lime-sulfur, which must be repeated after 14 days. Sprays or dips such as propetamphos, phoxim, amitraz, or flumethrin can be used outside of the United States. Lactating dairy goats should be treated only with lime-sulfur solution.

   Occasionally the mange can spread to the head, neck and body and cause severe irritation, especially in Angora goats, that can lose a lot of hair. The disease in Angora goats must be reported in Texas to the Texas Department of State Health Services, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, but the mange is curable.

4. Demodectic mange (D. caprae) causes nonpruritic papules and nodules in goats similar to infected cattle, especially over the face, neck, shoulders and sides. The nodule contents can be expressed easily as a thick, waxy, gray substance. This exudate contains mites.

   According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, localized lesions can be incised, expressed and infused with Lugol's Iodine or a 1:3 rotenone in alcohol solution. For generalized disease, a daily topical application of 180ml 33 percent ronnel to 1l propylene glycol on one third of the goat's body can be effective. Alternately, a 1:3 solution of rotenone in alcohol applied to a quarter of the body daily can be curative.

Tips & Warnings

• Catch the diseases in the early stages to avoid animal pain and retain good wool coverage.

• Always use a vet to identify and treat mange in goats. Misdiagnosis and mistreatment can allow mange to spread and reduce a goat's quality of life.

References

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Mange in Sheep and Goats
• Biology Online: Hyperkeratosis
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Scabies