Incidence of Mange Infestation in Rabbits

Background: Farmers raise rabbits in abundance in Iraq. Scabies infestation is one of the most prevalent diseases in rabbits. The current study investigates the rabbits’ infestation with scabies that cause severe complications such as itchy alopecia, hyperkeratosis, anorexia, self-trauma, and weight loss. In short, the disease has high morbidity and mortality and creates heavy economic losses for farmers. Objectives: This study was designed to detect mange infestation in rabbits using microscopic examination of skin scraping. This study is the first to investigate mange infestation in rabbits in Mosul City, Iraq. Methods: A total of 130 rabbits were examined, and their skin lesions were scraped. Results: Of 130 rabbits, 56(43.1%) were infested with mange, including Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi (n=50, 38.5%), Psoroptes cuniculi (n=32, 25%), Notoedres cati var. cuniculi (n=26, 20%), Demodex cuniculi (n=12, 9%), and Cheyletiella spp. (n=4, 3%), with the high infestation rate for S. scabiei var. cuniculi and the lowest rate for Cheyletiella spp. The significant lesions were hyperkeratosis followed by alopecia, then pruritus on many body areas (head, ears, abdomen, back, legs, tail, and perineal area). The highest infestation rate was found on the abdomen and back, while the lowest was on the tail and perineal area. There are significant differences according to age, while no significant differences between the males and females and among three types of infestation (single, double, and mixed). Conclusion: The rabbits were infested with several species with different percentages. There was no significant difference in infestation rates between males and females, although there was a difference between younger and older animals. Lastly, a significant difference was clear among the three types of infestation, and the double one was the dominant infestation rate with 50%.