Psoroptes ovis mange in a dog in Brazil

Abstract

Psoroptes ovis (Acari: Psoroptidae, Hering, 1838) is an ectoparasite that poses a high risk to herd animals and causes a severe dermal disease called psoroptic mange. This work aimed to report P. ovis parasitism in a dog. A male Pinscher that lives in rural areas and had free access to sheep farming showed hair loss in the dorsal region and mild itching. Dermatological examination demonstrated irregular alopecia, scabs, dry desquamation and erythema around the dorsal region of the thorax and pelvis. Hemogram has shown mild eosinophilia and the fungal culture was negative. In skin scrapings, P. ovis was observed, and its morphological characteristics were recorded. Treatment with ivermectin (0.5 mg/kg) was initiated orally once weekly for six weeks and amitraz for environmental control shown positive results. The diagnosis of psoroptic mange in dogs was performed based on morphological characterization of mite and the report of sheep contact. This is the first report of the occurrence of P. ovis in dog.