Clinical and Therapeutic Trials on Sarcoptic Mange in Camels (Camelus Dromedaríus)

At veterinary teaching clinic, Qassim University, Qassim region, central of Saudi Arabia, a total of 30 camels proved to be infected by Sarcoptes scabiei var cameli via parasitological examination were used in this study to determine the clinical and therapeutic impact associated with mange in camels. Clinical signs observed were severe itching, sometimes biting of affected skin areas and loss much grazing time. The lesion began as minute cutaneous erythema and terminated by crust formation and hair loss with thickening and wrinkling of the skin in the affected area. The lesions were most commonly observed in the brisket region, neck region, head and inner surface of the thighs. Three treatment regimes were evaluated. Clinical improvement and parasitological cure was 100% on day 14 post treatment without recurrences in the group that received two doses of ivermectin in addition to disinfection of the surrounding environment using diazinon and in the group that sprayed with diazinon three times at oneweek interval in addition to disinfection of the surrounding environment. However, clinical improvement without parasitological cure was achieved in the third group that received only two doses of ivermectin without disinfection of the environment. In conclusion, Sarcoptes scabiei mites are the only detected mites from infected camels. Also, two doses of ivermectin at two weeks’ interval at a dose rate of 200 μg/kg body weight subcutaneously in addition to disinfection of the environment is essential for treatment and to avoid disease recurrences.