Establishment of Infestation Model for Sarcoptes Scabiei Var Canis in Nigerian Dogs

The study on Sarcoptes scabiei var canis in Nigerian dogs aimed to establish an effective infestation model for mange experiments. Using 18 dogs, it compared direct contact, environmental exposure, and experimental indirect contact methods. Direct contact was the most successful, showing significant clinical features like pruritus, alopecia, erythema, papules, and crusts. Environmental transmission was effective but less so, while experimental indirect contact was largely unsuccessful. The study concluded that co-mingling infested and mange-naïve dogs was the most effective method for establishing mange in dogs for research purposes, despite challenges in diagnosing scabies through skin scrapings and potential for misdiagnosis.