Sarcoptic Mange in Horses

Sarcoptic mange, also called scabies, is highly contagious and can be transmitted from animals to humans. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, it is the most severe type of mange in horses; however, sarcoptic mange is rare among horses in the United States.

  1. Cause

    • Sarcoptic mange is caused by a small mite that lives under the skin. The mites are tenacious and can live off the host animal, at room temperature, for up to one week. Scabies occurs in farm animals in late winter and early spring, according to the Provet Health Information website.

    Transmission

    • Sarcoptic mange is a zoonosis, or disease transmissible from animals to humans and vice-versa. In addition to affecting horses, it is found in pigs, rabbits, sheep, goats and sometimes cats.

    Symptoms

    • It can take up to six weeks for scabies symptoms to appear. Horses and ponies typically develop lesions on their heads and necks. Signs of infection include severe scratching and biting of the affected areas, hair loss, crusting, raised lesions, weight loss and enlarged lymph nodes.

    Diagnosis

    • If sarcoptic mange is untreated, scabies lesions will spread over a horse's entire body and the animal will become emaciated, weak and unable to eat. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, a skin scraping that reads negative for scabies does not rule out the disease. A biopsy can assist in diagnosing scabies.

    Treatment

    • Treatment includes oral mite-killing drugs, antiseborrheic shampoo, antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection and anti-inflammatory drugs. Every animal in the stable, house and/or farm that has come into contact with an infected horse must be treated to stop the mites from spreading.