Mange is a skin disease of all livestock and poultry caused by various parasitic mites that feed on the skin causing mild to severe itching, rubbing, hair loss and weight loss.
Unlike lice, mites are microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Mites also cause more severe skin damage and affected animals generally show more intense rubbing and itching
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The most important of the mites are those belonging to the genus Sarcoptes that infect cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses. The scabies mite of cattle (Sarcoptes scabiei) is very contagious and will affect people handling infected cattle.
Another important mite of cattle is Psoroptes ovis. This highly contagious parasite causes severe skin irritation and must be reported to the State Veterinarian in order that it be rapidly controlled. |
Typical mange hair loss and crusty skin |
