Clinico-pathological, histochemical and therapeutic studies on concurrent sarcoptic and notoedric acariosis in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Concurrent acariosis due to sarcoptes scabiei var cuniculi (sarcoptes scabiei) and notoedres cati var cuniculi (notoedres cuniculi) was observed in Angora and New Zealand white rabbits belonging to the University rabbitry at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir (India). Clinically, the affected rabbits revealed scales, lichenification, scab formation, alopecia and pruritis initially on the face near the upper lip which later extended to the full face, ear pinnae, eyelids and lower jaw, developing into hemorrhagic crusts. Skin scrapings from the affected rabbits revealed both types of mites. Additionally, in one scraping mites of Cheyletiella sp. were recognized. Seven of the 35 affected rabbits died of severe mange, histologically showing lesions characterized by hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and subepidermal dermatitis. Staining with toluidine blue showed negative metachomasia, while alcian blue-PAS staining revealed increased acid mucopolysaccharides in epidermis and hair follicles. A single intramuscular dose of doramectin 400 μg decreased the number of mites and their developmental stages with nil concentration in skin scrapings by day 10 post-treatment. Supplemental disinfection of the rabbit cages and house with a blowlamp helped control the acariosis within 3 to 4 weeks.