Sarcoptic mange in captive maras: the first known outbreak and complete recovery with colony-wide acaricide treatment

Abstract

Among 16 maras housed as a colony at a zoo, 2 initially showed generalized dermal lesions on the legs, head and abdomen. Approximately 1 month later, following completion of therapy with amitraz, 6 maras in the same colony, including the 2 previously diseased animals, showed dermal lesions with severe alopecia and crusting. Sarcoptic mange was diagnosed on skin scrapings on the basis of morphological criteria. The mites were highly mobile and abundant in all cases, and no other causative agents were detected. Colony-wide treatment with ivermectin and prednisolone was administered weekly for a total of 4 treatments. After therapy was completed in all cohabitants, follow-up scrapings were negative for Sarcoptes scabiei. This report describes the first known outbreak of sarcoptic mange in captive maras and successful treatment with acaricides.

The treatment of sarcoptic mange in wildlife: a systematic review

“…of animals treated Severity a Treatment b Duration of post-treatment monitoring Drug(s) administered Dose & delivery method No. of doses Treatment interval between doses American black bear ( Ursus americanus ), Van Wick et al (2018) [ 21 ] 1 Severe a) Fluralaner; b) Lactated Ringer’s solution; c) Hydrogenated iron a) 44 mg/kg PO; b) 40 ml/kg SC; c) 10 mg/kg IM a) 1; b) 1; c) 1 na 13 weeks Mara ( Dolichotis caviae ), Kim et al (2015) [ 25 ] 2/16 (i.e. clinically affected individuals) Moderate a) Amitraz; b) Prednisolone a) 0.025% wash; b) 2 ml IM a) 4; b) 4 a) 7 days; b) 7 days 16/16 (i.e.…”

“…There was no consensus between the severity of infection and the therapeutic dose of ivermectin delivered. For instance, in some studies, mildly-diseased individuals were treated with 400 µg/kg subcutaneous ivermectin [ 23 , 25 ], whereas in other studies, severely-diseased animals were treated with only 200 µg/kg [ 24 , 26 ]. Dose did not appear to affect the overall success of treatment (i.e.…”

“…Rather, the studies monitored disease status up until the point of release from captivity and then stopped, or the animals remained in captivity for the duration of their lifespan. Two studies documented a recrudescence of the clinical signs of mange during their post-treatment observational period in captivity and required additional treatments to eliminate infection [ 25 , 28 ]. The only study that attempted monitoring past the point of release from captivity involved the treatment of an American black bear with oral fluralaner [ 21 ].…”

“…Another pertinent finding was that elimination of infection from clinically-affected individuals within captive populations was only successful in some studies when all in-contact animals were treated simultaneously [ 25 , 38 ]. Presumably, individuals that are infected sub-clinically act as a source of re-infection for animals more susceptible to clinical manifestations of the disease.…”

“…Presumably, individuals that are infected sub-clinically act as a source of re-infection for animals more susceptible to clinical manifestations of the disease. Hence, when designing treatment protocols, it is important to treat all in-contact animals, including domestic animals, and ensure humans follow sound biosecurity protocols to avoid becoming a source of infection for captive animals [ 25 , 39 ].…”