Original Article

Evaluation of two intensive treatment schedules against Psoroptes ovis mange in Belgian blue cattle on nine Flemish farms

---

Abstract

Psoroptic mange, caused by Psoroptes ovis, is a problem on many Flemish farms where Belgian blue beef cattle are bred. Two intensive treatment schedules were evaluated on nine Belgian blue farms with a persistent mange problem. On farms 1 to 7, all animals were treated twice (with a seven-to-tendays interval) with an injectable macrocyclic lactone (ML), while on the two remaining farms, the initial treatment consisted of one injection with the long acting (LA) formulation of moxidectin (10%). Skin scrapings were taken after treatment, and when living mites were found on at least one animal, all animals (farms 1 to 7) or only positive animals (farms 8 and 9) were treated consecutively with an injectable ML. On all farms, the treated animals were clinically healthy and P. ovis free at the end of winter, after two to nine treatment rounds (two injections with a seven to ten-days interval or one LA injection). Although mange reappeared on the first seven farms after the subsequent grazing season, the disease was less severe and easier to control.

How to Cite:

Sarre, C. & Geurden, T. & Vercruysse, J. & De Wilde, N. & Casaert, S. & Claerebout, E., (2015) “Evaluation of two intensive treatment schedules against Psoroptes ovis mange in Belgian blue cattle on nine Flemish farms”, Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift 84(6), 311-317. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/vdt.v84i6.16427