Scabies (mange)

Symptoms

· Scabby patches on the skin, especially on the head and neck, which cause itchiness.
· Animal scratches itself.
· Hair falls out.
· Animal looks weak.

Scabies

Cause

Scabies is caused by tiny mites. It can affect all ruminants but is especially common in goats. The mites spread from one animal to another easily. Humans can also easily become infested. Scabies spreads by direct contact with the infected animal or any infected area or object.

Prevention

· Keep the animal, pen and surroundings clean and dry.
· Isolate the infected animal to protect the other animals from catching the infection.
· Do not use infected animals for breeding.

* Warning

Scabies is highly contagious to humans. Avoid touching the infected part of the animal, especially when applying a treatment.

Treatment

When applying one of the treatments below, use a brush or coconut husk to rub in the medication so it penetrates deep into the infected skin. Cover your hands with a plastic bag to protect them. After the treatment, clean your hands with soap and water.

Applying treatment

The amount of ingredients needed to prepare the medication and the amount of medication to apply depends on the size of the infected area.

· Grind a handful of young or mature air-dried leaves of Melia azedarach or Cliricidia septum. Add a little water and continue grinding. Rub the mixture on the infected area daily. Repeat the medication until the infection is cured. (Indonesia, Philippines. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

· Burn a coconut shell and pound it into powder. Add just enough coconut oil to make a sticky paste. Rub the paste on the infected area once a day until the infection is cured. (Cambodia. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

· Mix powdered sulfur with just enough vegetable oil to make a sticky paste. Rub it on the infected area once a day until the infection is cured. (Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4)

· Mix used engine oil and powdered sulfur (for every 100 ml of engine oil, use 30 g of sulfur). Rub the solution on the infected area once a day until the infection is cured. If you have no sulfur, you can use the engine oil alone. (Indonesia, Thailand. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

· Grind a handful of fresh or dried Cassia alata leaves. Add a little water to make a paste. Apply on the infected area daily until the infection is cured. (Laos. 1, 2, 4)

@ Caution

Do not use too much engine oil as this may burn the skin. For severe infections, do not apply oil to the whole body at the same time. Treat one-third of the body in the morning, one-third in the evening and the remaining third the following morning. Apply to the most affected area first, followed by the less affected area the next day, or if whole body is affected, apply part by part.