Efficacy of ivermectin against the pig mange mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis.

The efficacy of a single subcutaneous dose of ivermectin at 300 micrograms/kg was evaluated against Sarcoptes scabiei in a commercial herd of 146 pigs of which more than 80% were naturally clinically affected with mange. All pigs, except 6 control animals, were treated with ivermectin on Day 0. Scrapings for mite recovery were made from 12 treated animals and 6 controls at the time of treatment and 28 and 42 days later. No mites were recovered from pigs after treatment while live mites were present in scrapings from all control animals. No treated pigs had active lesions at examination on Day 42. The results are discussed in relation to recommendations for a control program for Sarcoptes scabiei in pigs.