A case of Trixacarus caviae mange in a guinea pig (Caviaporcellus)

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Published: Jan 25, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.15393
Keywords:
guinea pig mange Trixacarus caviae ivermectin
M. PERRAKI (Μ. ΠΕΡΡΑΚΗ)
Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, A.U.T.
M. SARIDOMICHELAKIS (Μ. ΣΑΡΙΔΟΜΙΧΕΛΑΚΗΣ)
Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, A.U.T.
C. KOUTINAS (X. ΚΟΥΤΙΝΑΣ)
Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, A.U.T.
A. KOUTINAS (Α. ΚΟΥΤΙΝΑΣ)
Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, A.U.T.
M. PAPAZACHARIADOU (Μ. ΠΑΠΑΖΑΧΑΡΙΑΔΟΥ)
Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, A.U.T.
Abstract

A male, peruvian, 1.5-years old, guinea pig {Cavia porcellus) was admitted to the Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine with a history of intensively pruritic skin lesions lasting for the past two months. Physical examination disclosed hypotrichosis, erythema, hyperpigmentation, scales, crusts, ulcers and papules in a focal to diffuse pattern on both the dorsal and ventral aspects of the body trunk. Whenever the handling of the animal was attempted, it started vocalizing, cycling and rolling in a frenzy manner. Pruritic papules were also observed on some parts of the glabrous skin of the owner. The diagnosis of Trixacarus caviae mange was based on the observation of the parasite in superficial skin scrapings. The subcutaneous administration of three weekly ivermectin injections, at the dose of 0.4 mg/Kg BW, resulted in the disappearance of the lesions and pruritus within a six-week period.

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