Prevention and Treatment of Sarcoptic Mange in Rabbits: Restlessness, Itching, Poor Appetite, Weight Loss, and Death Warrant Caution

    Sarcoptic mange is a parasitic disease caused by sarcoptic mites that live in the skin of rabbits. It is highly contagious. If not treated promptly, affected rabbits quickly lose weight, and in severe cases, it causes mass deaths.

Rabbits

    1. Symptoms:

    (1) Body mange: It starts around the rabbit's mouth, nose, and eye rims, then spreads to the genital area, limbs, and the whole body. The affected skin becomes red, with papules or blisters. After these rupture, serous fluid oozes out, and soon scabs form and fur falls out. As the affected area expands, the rabbit suffers intense itching, followed by reduced appetite, weight loss, and progression to anemia; in severe cases, it can die.

    (2) Ear mange: It first appears at the base of the rabbit's ear pinna, then spreads to the entire ear. The affected area first becomes red and swollen. As the disease progresses, small blisters appear on the affected area. After the blisters rupture, secretions flow out and dry into rosin-like hard scabs. Sometimes the scabs fill the entire ear, causing the rabbit to become anxious and restless, frequently scratching the affected area, losing appetite, gradually losing weight, and finally dying.

    2. Preventive measures:

    (1) Newly purchased rabbits should first be kept in separate isolation and given a health check. If sarcoptic mange is found, they can only be mixed into the herd after being cured and isolated for 20 days.

    (2) When sarcoptic mange is found in a rabbit herd, immediately isolate the affected rabbits. Cages, feed bowls, and other utensils used by affected rabbits should be brushed and disinfected with 5 g of creolin, or with a slurry made from 50 kg of water plus 10 kg of quicklime.

    3. Treatment methods:

    Before treatment, first cut off the hair around the affected area of the rabbit, scrape off the hard masses, then wash the affected area with 3%-5% soapy water at 50-60°C. After half a day, apply medicine for treatment. Treatment drugs and methods of use:

    (1) Apply 0.5% trichlorfon solution.

    (2) Mash chinaberry tree root bark or Centella asiatica into juice and apply it to the affected area of the rabbit.

    (3) Mash Senecio scandens and water pepper into juice and apply it to the affected area.

    (4) Put 0.5 kg of vinegar and 50 g of cut tobacco into an earthenware pot and simmer. After it boils, continue boiling for 10 minutes. Wait until it is warm, then it is ready to use. When using, dip a soft toothbrush into the vinegar-tobacco decoction and apply it to the affected area. After applying, place the affected rabbit alone in a dry and quiet place, and apply the medicine once a day. After 4 applications, new hair grows on the affected area. At this point, it is still necessary to continue applying 3-4 more times to consolidate the therapeutic effect.