Primary Mites of Cattle
Mite | Region affected | Clinical signs | Sampling method | Zoonotic? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sarcoptes scabieibovis | Starts on head, neck, and shoulders Can spread to the whole body | Pruritus, alopecia, papules, thickened and folded skin | Deep skin scrape | Zoonotic |
Psoroptes ovis | Base of tail, back, and flank | Severe pruritus Thick, scabby crusts Alopecia with exudative dermatitis | Superficial skin scrape | Not zoonotic Also infests sheep and goats Secondary infections common |
Chorioptes spp Primarily C bovis | Pastern and can spread up the legs to the udder, scrotum, tail, and perineum | Typically subclinical Allergic, exudative, mildly pruritic, flaky dermatitis can develop | Superficial skin scrape | Not zoonotic Smaller with rounder head and mouthparts than Psoroptes spp |
Demodex spp Primarily D bovis | Withers, neck, back, and flanks | Typically subclinical Nonpruritic Chronic inflammation, with formation of ulcers, abscesses, and fistulae | Deep skin scrape Squeezing skin folds prior to scraping can improve recovery | Not zoonotic Secondary staphylococcal infection can occur |
Psorobia bos | -- | Nonpathogenic | Deep skin scrape | Not zoonotic |
Numerous species of mites are found on cattle worldwide; they are summarized in the table Primary mites of cattle and are detailed in individual subtopics below.
Sarcoptic Mange in Cattle
Sarcoptes scabieibovis, or sarcoptic mange, is a highly infectious disease transmitted by direct contact between infested and naive animals or by contaminated fomites. Lesions caused by this burrowing mite start on the head, neck, and shoulders and can spread to other parts of the body. The whole body may be involved in 6 weeks.
Pruritus is intense, and papules develop into crusts; the skin thickens and forms large folds. Diagnosis is made by deep skin scrapings, skin biopsy, or response to treatment. S scabieibovis can be transmitted to humans and result in a transient, self-limiting dermatitis.
Courtesy of Dr. Raffaele Roncalli.
Doramectin, eprinomectin, and ivermectin are compounds approved for use against sarcoptic mange mites in cattle at the labeled injectable and pour-on dosages. Hot lime sulfur dips or sprays may be used, following the label instructions for species-specific dilution, with treatment repeated at 12-day intervals as needed, usually for a maximum of three treatments. Phosmet is also labeled for use against sarcoptic mange mites in cattle; two treatments may be required. Label instructions for dilution (multiple dilutions are listed) should be followed as appropriate.
Certain spray formulations of permethrin are labeled for use against sarcoptic mange mites; however, it is generally not considered the compound of choice. If permethrin is used, the animals should be wet thoroughly with the product and re-treated in 10−14 days.
Practitioners and producers should take care to note whether the compound, dose, and formulation are appropriate for the age of the animal and the production system in use. Eprinomectin and moxidectin pour-on formulations, as well as hot lime sulfur, are approved for use on dairy animals in the US.
Psoroptic Mange in Cattle
Psoroptic mange in cattle is caused by infestation with Psoroptes ovis, a nonburrowing mite that lives on the skin surface. These mites are found primarily on the backs and flanks of infested animals. P ovis mites pierce host tissue and feed on serum and other fluid secretions from the bite wound.
Clinical signs can develop within one week of infestation. Exudates coagulate to form thick, scabby crusts. Alopecia is common with the exudative dermatitis. Infestations are intensely pruritic, with papules, crusts, excoriation, and lichenification on the shoulders and rump initially, spreading to cover almost the entire body.
Secondary bacterial infections are common in severe cases. Death in untreated calves, weight loss, decreased milk production, and increased susceptibility to other diseases can occur.
P ovis transmission is primarily via direct contact of infested and susceptible hosts; however, because P ovis can survive off the host for ≥ 2 weeks under the right conditions, transmission via contaminated environments and fomites is possible.
P ovis is a common parasite of cattle with a distribution limited to continental Europe and parts of the US. It can be found in range and feedlot beef cattle from the central and western states, with the largest numbers of outbreaks historically reported from Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska. Clinical signs of P ovis infestation are rare in dairy cattle.
Treatment can be administered by spray dipping or vat dipping; topical application of nonsystemic acaricides; and oral, topical, or injectable formulations of systemic drugs. Spray dipping is time-consuming but useful for small herds, whereas vat dipping has fallen out of favor in the US because of expense and the difficulty in managing proper concentrations of therapeutic compounds and proper cleanup.
Hot lime sulfur dips or sprays may be used, following the species-specific dilution labeled on the package and the appropriate temperature range of the solution (95–105°F), with treatment repeated at 12-day intervals as needed, usually for a maximum of three treatments. Certain spray formulations of permethrin are labeled for use against mange mites in cattle; however, it is generally not considered the compound of choice. If permethrin is used, the animals should be thoroughly wet with the product and re-treated in 10−14 days.
Macrocyclic lactones are the preferred treatment in beef cattle in the US. Injectable doramectin, injectable ivermectin, and moxidectin (pour-on and injectable formulations) are labeled for P ovis. Of the available treatments, only pour-on moxidectin and hot lime sulfur are approved for use on dairy animals. P ovis resistance to macrocyclic lactones has been detected in Europe.
Outside the US, other treatments are available and labeled for the control of mange, including flumethrin pour-on (2 mg/kg, repeated 10 days later), 0.3% coumaphos, 0.1% phoxim, 0.075% diazinon, and 0.025%–0.05% amitraz. There are currently no amitraz products labeled for use on cattle in the US. Diazinon is available for use on cattle only in an ear tag formulation in the US; it is not labeled for treatment or prevention of mange. Products labeled for treatment and control of sarcoptic mange in cattle are considered effective against P ovis.
Chorioptic Mange in Cattle
Chorioptic mange in cattle is caused by infestation with Chorioptes bovis or C texanus. Species of Chorioptes are not host specific, and C bovis can be found on domestic ruminants and horses throughout the world. Chorioptic mange caused by infestation with C bovis is the most common type of mange in cattle in the US. C texanus has been reported on cattle from Brazil, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and the US.
C bovis live on the skin surface and do not burrow. Transmission is by direct contact of infested and naive hosts. The mites can live off their host for up to 3 weeks and can be transmitted to cattle via contact with contaminated fomites and housing.
C bovis likely feeds on sloughed skin cells and other surface debris. While feeding, C bovis irritates the host skin, causing abrasions that become contaminated with secretions and feces from the mites. Most cattle are subclinically infested with C bovis. However, the mites may cause an allergic, exudative, mildly pruritic, flaky dermatitis.
Lesions include nodules, papules, crusts, and ulcers that typically begin at the pastern and spread up the legs to the udder, scrotum, tail, and perineum. Self-trauma and alopecia may be evident. Lesions and clinical signs appear in late winter and spontaneously regress during summer months. Chorioptic mange is less pathogenic than sarcoptic or psoroptic mange in cattle.
In the US, the following treatments are approved for use against C bovis at the labeled dosages:
pour-on doramectin
eprinomectin (both pour-on and injectable formulations)
pour-on moxidectin
Hot lime sulfur dips or sprays are labeled for use against chorioptic mites and may be used following the label directions for species-specific dilution. Lime sulfur treatment should be repeated at 12-day intervals if needed. Of these, the pour-on formulations of eprinomectin and moxidectin as well as hot lime sulfur are approved for use on dairy animals in the US.
Demodectic Mange in Cattle
Demodectic mange is caused by three species of Demodex known to infest cattle:
D bovis is the most common and infests hair follicles of cattle worldwide.
D ghanensis infests meibomian glands of cattle from Ghana.
D tauri has been recovered from hair follicles and sebaceous glands of cattle from Czechoslovakia.
Species of Demodex are host specific and not zoonotic.
Courtesy of Dr. Raffaele Roncalli.
Demodex spp are unique among parasitic mites, because they are elongated with short, stumpy legs. Their distinct morphology is a presumed adaptation to living in hair follicles and sebaceous glands of their hosts. These mites feed on sebum, protoplasm, and epidermal debris. Transmission of D bovis occurs via close contact of infested and naive hosts, with the transfer of mites from infested dams to neonates being the primary route.
Lesions consist of follicular papules and nodules, especially over the withers, neck, back, and flanks. Invasion by D bovis results in chronic inflammation, with formation of ulcers, abscesses, and fistulae due to follicular rupture or secondary staphylococcal infection. Pruritus is absent.
Infestation of D bovis may result in considerable damage to hides. Cattle of any age are susceptible to demodectic mange, although disease is more evident in the young. Most cases occur in dairy cattle in late winter or early spring. Infestation with D bovis is usually subclinical, and infestation may extend for many months.
Recovery is usually spontaneous; consequently, treatment is rarely performed. If treatment is instituted, the macrocyclic lactones listed for treatment of Sarcoptes scabieibovis or Chorioptes ovis should be considered.
Psorergatic Mange in Cattle
Psorobia (formerly Psorergates) bos is a small mite that lives in the superficial layers of cattle skin, causing psorergatic mange. In most instances, P bos is nonpathogenic, and few cattle exhibit clinical signs of infestation. On rare occasions, mild pruritus, alopecia, and increased licking and rubbing have been attributed to infestation with this mite.
P bos has been reported on cattle in the US, Canada, the UK, and South Africa. It is not zoonotic. The disease does not cause substantial economic losses; therefore, animals are usually not treated. The macrocyclic lactone products labeled for use for sarcoptic, chorioptic, and psoroptic mange likely control this infestation effectively.
