How to Treat Mange on Goats

Mange is a highly contagious skin condition that occurs in all goat species as a result of parasitic mite infestations. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, species of mites that may infect your goats include Sarcoptes scabiei (causes sarcoptic mange), Chorioptes caprae (causes chorioptic mange), Psoroptes cuniculi (causes psoroptic mange) and Demodex caprae (causes demodectic mange). Mange typically occurs in late winter or early spring and may be difficult to treat, depending upon your goat̵7;s sensitivity to the mite species causing the infection, according to Mary Smith, co-author of ̶0;Goat Medicine.̶1;

Things You'll Need

  • Isolation pen
  • Topical mange spray approved for use with goats
  • Injectable ivermectin
  • Lime-sulfur spray
  • Hot water and soap
  • Rubber gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide what type of mange infection your goat has, since each mange mite species causes symptoms in different areas of your goat̵7;s body. Look for signs of ear lesions and smelly ear discharge, as well as excessive head shaking, in a goat that has psoroptic mange, also called ear mite mange. Check your goat̵7;s legs and feet, especially around the dew claws on the front legs, for skin bumps and lesions indicating chorioptic mange. Look for hair loss around the ears, eyes and muzzle, as well as overall areas of thickened, scaly skin in a goat with sarcoptic mange, or scabies. Identify signs of demodectic mange in your goat, which include crusty skin bumps and papules located in your goat̵7;s face, neck and udder region.

    • 2

      Separate mange-infected goats from the rest of your goat herd. Put the infected goat in an isolation pen that ideally does not share any fence lines or feeding bowls with the rest of your animals. Check the bodies of the rest of your goats daily for at least one week afterward to ensure that they don̵7;t get infected. Pay close attention to young kids and pregnant or lactating dogs, whose weakened immune systems make them particularly vulnerable to mange.

    • 3

      Give your goat a topical spray or subcutaneous injection of an acaricide approved for use in goats. Talk to your veterinarian to determine which treatment option will work best for your goat, taking into consideration your goat̵7;s age and health status. Opt for a topical spray that contains a synthetic chemical insecticide, such as permethrin, for more mild cases of mange. Try injectable ivermectin for more advanced mange infections. Use a body spray containing a 2-percent lime-sulfur solution for your lactating dairy goats to keep from contaminating the milk.

    • 4

      Treat your goat with a second cycle of mange medication seven to 10 days following the first round of treatment to prevent re-infestation by newly hatched mite eggs.