What is Sarcoptic Mange?
Sarcoptic Mange is a disease of the skin that is caused by the swine mange mite.
The spread of mange is most often caused by physical contact with another pig
that has mange. The mite causes lesions in the skin because the mite lives under
the skin and is nourished by the tissue and blood of the pig. Mange is most
easily detected on the inside of the pig’s leg and behind its ear. There may be an orange cast in color on the pig’s skin. The pig’s ears may produce an excessive
amount of reddish brown material that has a bad smell. Its eyes may have a
reddish brown crusty material around them and tear. Your pig may develop ear
shaking. Approximately three to eight weeks after initial infection a severe
allergy may develop with very tiny red pimples covering the skin. This can
cause intense irritation and rubbing to the point that bleeding may occur. Head
shaking is a common symptom and hairs are often rubbed away leaving bare
patches. Your pig may have all or only part of these symptoms based on how
progressed the infestation is. Another key symptom is you or your children’s
arms may turn red and itch after holding your pig.
The mange mite has a 10 to 15 day life cycle. The
incubation period to the appearance of clinical
signs is approximately three weeks, although it
may be several months before signs are noticed.
An effective treatment for Sarcoptic Mange is to
give your pig a shot, by body weight, of
Ivomectin Wormer. The adult mange mite will be
dead within 36 hours of treatment. This treatment
should be repeated in 12 to 15 days from the initial injection to kill any mites
that hatch during that time. This Ivomectin injection can be give by your
Veterinarian at the time of your pig’s vaccinations to both worm your pig and to
help prevent an outbreak of the mange mite.
At the time of treatment, treat
your pig’s ears too. Prepare a
mix of _ hydrogen peroxide
and _ isopropyl alcohol. Squirt
the warmed solution directly
into the ear. Rub and massage
the ears to work the solution
down into the ear canal. Clean
out any material that is
dislodged from the ear canal.
Then squirt the recommended
dose of a dog/cat ear mite
solution into your pig’s ear.
Repeat this ear treatment every
other day for five days. Be
sure to change your pig’s bedding at the time of treatment.
If you get the Sarcoptic Mange mite on your skin and experience redness or
itching apply Nix, a head lice treatment, full strength to the site of the irritation.
An effective treatment for Sarcoptic Mange is to
give your pig a shot, by body weight, of
Ivomectin Wormer. The adult mange mite will be
dead within 36 hours of treatment. This treatment
should be repeated in 12 to 15 days from the initial injection to kill any mites
that hatch during that time. This Ivomectin injection can be give by your
Veterinarian at the time of your pig’s vaccinations to both worm your pig and to
help prevent an outbreak of the mange mite.
© Kathleen Myers 2000, All Rights Reserved Worldwide
By Kathleen Myers.
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