Malicious Mites—Sarcoptes Scabiei in Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes Procyonoides) in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
November 2023
in “
Pathogens
”
TLDR Raccoon dogs in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, were found with sarcoptic mange, showing severe skin issues and potential for spreading the disease.
A health assessment study conducted between 2021 and 2022 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, detected sarcoptic mange in five free-ranging raccoon dogs. Four of these animals exhibited severe skin lesions, including extensive alopecia, thickened, and hyperpigmented skin, while the fifth had milder symptoms. Skin scrapings confirmed the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei mites, and histopathology revealed epidermal hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis, and eosinophilic dermatitis. Secondary bacterial infections with Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Corynebacterium auriscanis were also identified. The study suggests that raccoon dogs could be vectors for sarcoptic mange, potentially spreading the disease through direct or indirect contact.
