Treatment of Sarcoptic mange infestation in rabbits with long acting injectable ivermectin

Sarcoptic mange infestation is one of the major constrains in commercial rabbit rearing due to their ability to produce negative impact on the growth rates and feed conversion efficiency. Ten adult rabbits presented with the history of anorexia, pruritis and crusty lesion in ear, face and legs were selected for the study. Skin scraping examination revealed presence of Sarcoptes scabiei. The subcutaneous administration of single dose long acting injectable Ivermectin (3.15% w/v) formulation at a dose rate of 700 mcg/kg body weight was found to be safe, effective and less time consuming for the management of Sarcoptic mange in naturally infested rabbits. The skin scrapings collected from all the rabbits under study on days 14 and 28 were negative on both instances indicating rapid elimination of S. scabiei with a single dose of long acting ivermectin. No relapse of infestation was observed in any of the rabbits under treatment during the 6 month observation period following the treatment.