TLDR Improving how drugs are absorbed through the skin could better treat mange in wombats.
Sarcoptic mange, caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, leads to severe health issues in wombats, including alopecia, intense itching, skin thickening, and death. Wombats typically cannot recover from this infection without treatment. Transdermal drug delivery is the preferred treatment method for free-ranging wombats as it is non-invasive and does not require capturing the animals. However, the main challenge is ensuring that the antiparasitic drugs, such as ivermectin, moxidectin, and fluralaner, are adequately administered and absorbed through the skin. This review discusses the impact of mange on wombat physiology and the potential for enhancing the absorption of these drugs through the skin, considering both the disease's effects on the body and pharmaceutical factors.
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