An open study to evaluate topical treatment of equine chorioptic mange with shampooing and lime sulphur solution

S. Paterson* and K. Coumbe †
*Rutland House Veterinary Referral Hospital, St Helens, Merseyside, UK
† Bell Equine Hospital, Maidstone, Kent, UK
Correspondence to S. Paterson, Rutland House Veterinary Referral Hospital, St Helens, Merseyside, UK. E-mail: vet.pat@nildram.co.uk

ABSTRACT
Chorioptic mange caused by Chorioptes bovis is a common pruritic skin condition of the horse. This surface-browsing parasite usually affects the lower legs (leg mange) but can present as a generalized skin disease. Numerous anecdotal reports exist in the literature about the benefit of lime sulphur as a treatment for surface ectoparasites in the horse. This report studies the use of lime sulphur when applied as a 5% solution, some with and some without prior shampooing and clipping, to treat confirmed cases of chorioptic mange in 22 horses. Horses included in the trial had clinical signs indicative of chorioptic mange and positive identification of chorioptic mites on skin scrapings and tape preparations. Each horse was treated with sulphurated lime dip solution four times at 7-day intervals. Most horses were clipped and/or shampooed prior to treatment. Animals were assigned a score based on a scale of 1–10 to assess the severity of their lesions and degree of behavioural signs. The horses were again scored and examined for mites after four treatments. All animals showed a reduction in scores at the end of the trial and mites were not demonstrated from any animal.

Accepted 30 September 2009