Diagnosis and treatment of canine scabies

CANINE scabies (sarcoptic mange, sarcoptic acariasis) is a common, transmissible, zoonotic, pruritic skin disease of dogs caused by infestation with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var canis. Severe skin disease often develops in dogs which do not receive appropriate therapy and scabies therefore represents a serious threat to welfare. Canine scabies accounted for approximately 5 per cent of 500 referred small animal dermatology cases recently seen at the Royal Veterinary College, illustrating that this disease is not always readily diagnosed. Anecdotal reports suggest that the disease is currently particularly prevalent in the south of England.