Sarcoptic mange in cattle: Effects of treatment with eprinomectin topical solution on performance, behavior changes, and adrenal and systemic responses to ACTH challenge

Bovine sarcoptic mange can cause significant pruritus and skin disease which compromise the health and welfare of the animals, impairs animal productivity and is furthermore of zoonotic concern. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of efficacious treatment of sarcoptic mange on performance and on animal welfare using behavioral indicators and adrenal reactivity testing.

Sixteen young cattle with induced sarcoptic mange were allocated by restricted randomization based on body weight to an untreated group (control) or a treated group (eprinomectin 5 mg/mL topical solution [EPRINEX® Pour-On] at Day 0) and monitored for eight weeks after treatment administration (mite counts, lesion scores, anti-Sarcoptes antibodies, feed intake, body weight, 24-hour behavior videotaping, adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] stimulation at Day 58).

The treated animals became mite-negative four weeks after treatment while all untreated cattle maintained the infestation. The antibody levels followed the mite counts and lesion scores, decreased after treatment in the treated cattle and increased throughout the study in the untreated controls. Over the 8-week post-treatment period, the treated animals gained more weight (81.9 kg vs. 67.8 kg, respectively; p < 0.05) and had a higher feed conversion efficacy (0.203 kg gain/kg feed vs. 0.154 kg gain/kg feed, respectively; p < 0.01). Behavioral activities of the cattle did not differ between the two groups at Day 0. However, at Day 56 treated cattle spent more time lying during 24 hours (p = 0.0754) and did less often rub, kick and lick (p < 0.05) than the untreated cattle. Analysis of the behaviors of Day 0 vs. Day 56 within each group demonstrated no significant difference for any activity in the untreated group, but extension of lying time and reduction of rubbing, kicking and licking (p < 0.05) were observed for the animals treated eight weeks before. The ACTH stimulation indicated reduced adrenal and systemic reactivity in the untreated cattle.

The efficacious treatment of sarcoptic mange resulted in a substantial increase of the performance of the cattle and effectively alleviated the adverse welfare caused by mange. Analysis of specific behavioral activities and adrenal reactivity testing provided evidence for adverse welfare and impacted metabolic capability due to chronic stress caused by the infestation with mange that can be prevented by efficacious treatment.