Premium
Outbreaks of sarcoptic mange in free‐ranging koala populations in Victoria and South Australia: a case series
Author(s) -
Speight KN,
Whiteley PL,
Woolford L,
Duignan PJ,
Bacci B,
Lathe S,
Boardman W,
Scheelings TF,
Funnell O,
Underwood G,
Stevenson MA
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12598
Subject(s) - mange , sarcoptes scabiei , outbreak , veterinary medicine , scabies , mite , wildlife , biology , ecology , medicine , dermatology , virology
Objective To describe outbreaks of sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei in free‐ranging koalas in Victoria (December 2008 to November 2015) and South Australia (October 2011 to September 2014). Methods Koalas affected by mange‐like lesions were reported by wildlife carers, veterinary practitioners or State Government personnel to the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences at The University of Melbourne and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at The University of Adelaide. Skin scrapings were taken from live and dead koalas and S. scabiei mites were identified. Tissues from necropsied koalas were examined histologically. Results Outbreaks of sarcoptic mange were found to occur in koalas from both Victoria (n = 29) and South Australia (n = 29) for the first time. The gross pathological and histopathological changes are described. Conclusion We present the first reported cases of sarcoptic mange outbreaks in free‐ranging koalas.