Mange is caused by mites which burrow under the skin causing itchy scabby skin. Mange mite infection can appear and spread extremely rapidly. The skin will first appear red and blotchy, and will then become extremely dry and crusty. Main initial areas of infection are the ears, and at the tops of the legs (front and back), the belly area and under the tail. When the area infected is around the teats it can make feeding a cria difficult, painful or impossible for the dam.
The only way to positively identify mange mites is by taking a skin scrape from the raw edges of the infected area, transferring to a slide and then looking through a microscope to determine whether the mites are Chorioptes, Sarcoptes or Psoroptes. Your vet should be able to do this, however it can sometimes be difficult to find the mites without experience.
The most common mange mite found in alpacas is Sarcoptes, and this is the infection which causes most discomfort. Special care must be taken when treating mites, as Sarcoptes mites can also be passed on to humans, so wear protective clothing (wash after each contact) and latex gloves when treating your alpacas. If you do suffer intense itching be sure to tell your doctor about this contact.
It is possible for an alpaca to be affected by more than one mite species at the same time, so the treatment should include ivermectin, which is only effective against Sarcoptes, even if Sarcoptes has not been not specifically identified. The recommended treatment is four doses of ivermectin, each seven days apart, and each dose at the rate of 2 mls per 50 kilos body weight. If the weight cannot be accurately taken, then this dose can be increased to 2.5mls per 50 kilos estimated BW to ensure each alpaca has at least the minimum dose. (The doses can be given up to 10 days apart and will still be effective against the mange mite). The whole group, or whole herd, should be treated at the same time; not just the apparently infected alpacas. The injections are given sub-cutaneously. ‘Ivomec’ or the much cheaper and identical ivermectin 1% “Virbamec’ can be used. The more expensive ‘super’ versions of these drugs are unnecessary in the treatment of mange, as the additional ingredient in these is specifically to treat liver fluke. Avermectins do not work. Dectomax does not work. You must use an Ivermectin drug. To save on vet. visits, ask your vet to teach you how to give injections.
At the same time, use Frontline on infected areas, right up to the edges where the mites are usually found, and between the toes.
About one week after using the Frontine, you will need to soften the skin and remove the hard scaly skin in order for the fibre to grow back. To do this, first treat topically with an iodine solution. This can be applied using a car sponge. Make sure the solution goes right to the edge of the affected areas. If necessary trim back the fibre to make sure the entire area is properly treated. Wait for this to dry completely.
Then use cattle brown udder salve on the entire area. This does colour the fibre where it touches, but seems much more effective against the mites than the normal udder salve, which takes longer to effect results; this is probably because the brown version also contains an insecticide. Apply daily for severe cases, but twice a week or even once a week for less severe cases. This will dry. The hard skin will come away almost by itself, leaving new pink skin underneath. The fibre should then grow back normally.
Udder Salve can be obtained from Agricultural suppliers.
The mite treatments offered in this article are the methods we use at Bozedown Alpacas. However, Claire Whitehead of Camelid Vet Services has knowledge of all the latest available treatment advice. Claire can also advise on alternative methods for dealing with the crusty skin.