Sarcoptic Mange and its Successful Therapeutic Management in Rabbits

Rabbits are vulnerable to get variety of parasitic infestations and among them the incidence of mange is quite high (Rajeshwari et al., 2001). Sarcoptes mange infestation is one of the most common and major constraint in commercial rabbit production in India (Darzi et al., 2007). Burrowing mites (Sarcoptes scabiei and Notoedres cati) present a zoonotic danger; affecting dogs, cats and humans causing a transient itching dermatosis. Sarcoptes scabiei is more common mange in rabbits and distinguished by presence or absence of prurites, morphology of mite and distribution of lesions and if left untreated may cause significant morbidity and economic losses (Bhardwaj et al., 2012). Ivermectin is used as broad spectrum parasiticide in domestic animals and is also used for acariosis (Aulakh et al., 2003). The present communication reports successful therapeutic management of Sarcoptic mange in rabbits with ivermectin.