Management of scabies in rabbits using ivermectin

Abstract

Sarcoptes scabiei are burrowing mites which cause major constraints in rabbit production. Eight rabbits with clinical signs of alopecia, intense itching, erythema and dry rusty lesions around the eyes, ears, nose and legs, whose skin scrapings had S. scabiei, were treated with ivermectin (200 μg/kg body weight subcutaneously) at weekly intervals for three weeks, along with the topical application of 5% betadine solution, benzyl benzoate, and supportive therapy to hasten the recovery. After three weeks of treatment, marked improvement of lesions was noticed and skin scrapings were negative for mites.