An open study to evaluate topical treatment of equine chorioptic mange with shampooing and lime sulphur solution

Abstract

Chorioptic mange caused by Chorioptes bovis is a common pruritic skin condition of the horse. This surface-browsing parasite usually affects the lower legs (leg mange) but can present as a generalized skin disease. Numerous anecdotal reports exist in the literature about the benefit of lime sulphur as a treatment for surface ectoparasites in the horse. This report studies the use of lime sulphur when applied as a 5% solution, some with and some without prior shampooing and clipping, to treat confirmed cases of chorioptic mange in 22 horses. Horses included in the trial had clinical signs indicative of chorioptic mange and positive identification of chorioptic mites on skin scrapings and tape preparations. Each horse was treated with sulphurated lime dip solution four times at 7-day intervals. Most horses were clipped and/or shampooed prior to treatment. Animals were assigned a score based on a scale of 1-10 to assess the severity of their lesions and degree of behavioural signs. The horses were again scored and examined for mites after four treatments. All animals showed a reduction in scores at the end of the trial and mites were not demonstrated from any animal.

Chronic progressive lymphoedema in draught horses

“…Mites ( Chorioptes equi ) are prevalent in heavily feathered draught horses . The combination of clipping, washing with a keratolytic shampoo and the application of a lime‐sulphur dip solution (4 times, at 7 day intervals) resulted in complete mite removal in 22 draught horses . Chorioptes equi has a lifecycle of ∼3 weeks and is able to survive in the environment, but carrier animals also exist, which have no clinical signs but are able to transfer mites .…”

Parasitic Diseases

“…5 A 0.25% fipronil spray has been reported to be curative in one treatment. 5,10 Regardless of the treatment selected, the barn should be cleaned thoroughly. To ensure cure, a second treatment in 3-4 weeks is recommended.…”

Pour‐on alphacypermethrin is an effective treatment for natural Werneckiella equi infection in donkeys (Equus asinus)

“…This study shows that even though the clinical distribution of W. equi in donkeys is more generalized than in horses, the lesions are mainly present on the rump, croup and mane. This is also the first report that demonstrates the efficacy of an insecticide using a pruritus scale and a clinical score in donkeys. Using such methodologies we were able to objectively monitor the efficacy of the ACYP during the study period.…”

“…A total of 59 donkeys with a mean age of 9.3 ± 3.9 years naturally infested by W. equi were enrolled in this study. In order to monitor the treatment response during this study, an equine pruritus scale was used. In addition, clinical signs and their distribution were recorded.…”