TheCattleSite: Diseases and Conditions
Mange / Lice
Mange is a collective name for allergic dermatitis caused by ectoparasitic infestation by mites that are obligate parasites and spread from animal to animal by direct contact. Mange usually appears as a skin condition associated with irritation and scratching that leads to inflammation, exudation and crusts and scabs forming on the skin. Untreated mange leads to thickening of the skin and loss of condition of the animal. The disease is often seen in animals in generally poor condition and during the winter season. The condition sometimes causes welfare problems in dairy herds as the treatment of lactating animals is not carried out due to long withdrawal periods required in connection with the efficacious treatments.
The mange mites prevalent in the UK can be divided into burrowing and non-burrowing mites. The only burrowing mite of importance in the UK, Sarcoptes scabiei, has a life cycle of about three weeks from egg to adult, after which the adult female will lay eggs for up to 60 days. The most common sites for sarcoptic mange on cattle are inner thigh, underside of neck and brisket and around the root of the tail. Small areas of infestation do not cause major irritation to the animal, but a generalised condition can be extremely distressing.
The non-burrowing mites, Chorioptes and Psoroptes, have a similar life-cycle to the burrowing mites, with a slightly shorter adult phase of 40 days. The predilection site for Chorioptic mites is at the base of the tail, in the perineum and at the back of the udder in the winter. Long-haired, highland cattle are considered to be particularly susceptible to infection. Psoroptic mites are initially found on the withers, with the condition rapidly worsening to exudative dermatitis, associated with severe irritation.
The prevalence of mange in cattle in the UK is considered to be at a low level. A summary of surveys reported by Bates (1998) suggests that the prevalence in dairy herds ranges from 1-10% and in beef herds from 1-50%. Whilst dairy cattle are generally less susceptible than beef animals, all cattle are less susceptible to mange than sheep, as grooming is more efficient in cattle and acquired infections are usually eliminated by the animal.
Further information
Further information on mange in cattle can be found by following the links below. This information references cattle health and welfare in organic cattle production systems and is part of a compendium on animal health and welfare in organic livestock production provided by the University of Reading. (links open in new window)
