Use of a colouring agent in approved dips as an aid in identifying dipped sheep

A fat soluble dye was identified as a suitable colourant for mixing with approved dips during the statutory winter dipping period. The optimum concentration of the dye was 0.4 per cent. It uniformly dyed the sheep and depending on the breed persisted on the fleece for three to six months. Any dye that remained on the wool at shearing (six to eight months after dipping) was washed out by scouring solutions containing non-ionic and anionic detergents. The dye did not alter the efficacy of the commonly used insecticides.

Amitraz in the control of non-ixodide ectoparasites of livestock

Amitraz has been shown to be successful in controlling mange and lice infestations on pigs which had failed to respond to diazinon and gamma-BHC, respectively, and by the use of a prophylactic programme to maintain pig herds mange free. In addition, trials have indicated the elimination of psoroptic mange from sheep by applying the compound to the animal using either conventional or less conventional methods of treatment. Mixed infections of Chorioptes spp., Psoroptes spp. and Sarcoptes spp., in cattle have also been controlled using spray applications of amitraz, where in some cases organochlorine, organophosphorus and organotin compounds had failed. In a pilot study a heavy infestation of chorioptic mange was controlled on a calf using a pour-on formulation of amitraz.

Ivermectin for the control of swine scabies: relative values of prefarrowing treatment of sows and weaning treatment of pigs

Ivermectin given in a single subcutaneous dose (300 micrograms/kg of body weight) was tested for activity against swine scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei). Efficacy was determined by recoveries of mites from ear scrapings and by observations of clinical signs. Treatment of infected sows 8 to 37 days before farrowing eliminated scabies from the sows and prevented its transmission to their offspring. Pigs farrowed by ivermectin-treated sows remained noninfected throughout the study regardless of whether they were treated with ivermectin at weaning. Placebo-treated sows remained infected and transmitted scabies to their offspring. Ivermectin treatment of pigs at weaning eliminated the infection, whereas placebo treatment did not. The placebo-treated pigs remained infected while in the nursery, but ivermectin treatment eliminated the infection when they were moved to the growing and finishing floor at 12 weeks of age. It appears that an effective control program for swine scabies using ivermectin could be based on a single treatment of the sows before farrowing. Any infection (epizootic) appearing in growing pigs could be controlled by a single treatment of all in-contact pigs.

Scabies: an epidemiologic reassessment

Scabies is a highly contagious parasitic infestation whose exact nature is unknown. A reassessment of epidemiologic data questions accepted ideas such as that scabies is a sexually transmitted disease; 30-year cycles of scabies epidemics exist; changes in the immune status of the host population (herd immunity) are epidemiologically significant; fomite transmission is rare; and blacks are resistant to the mite. Scabies epidemics are due to several factors and improved surveillance is needed before the disease can be better controlled.

Control of psoroptic scabies on calves with ivermectin

Eleven Hereford or Angus-cross calves slightly to severely infested with common scabies mites (Psoroptes ovis) were treated with 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a (ivermectin) at dosages given subcutaneously (SC)--300 micrograms/kg; orally--400 micrograms/kg; or IM--50, 100, or 200 micrograms/kg. At 14 days after treatment, live mites were not found on any of the calves treated SC or IM, but live mites were found on all of the orally treated calves at 14 days and on 1 of them at 28 days after treatment. Four nontreated calves retained their mite infestations during the course of the IM test. Biting lice (Bovicola bovis) were eliminated from 1 calf treated SC, but not from calves treated IM. Ear ticks (Otobius megnini) were not noticeably affected.

Consideration regarding infection during hospital employment

Among the most important responsibilities of a hospital's employees' health service is the prevention or prompt identification of infectious illnesses among staff members. Infections constitute a major health hazard of hospital employment and, both intrinsically or as a consequence of subsequent transmission to hospitalized patients, can have devastating consequences. The risks associated with tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, rubella, herpes, meningococcal disease, and scabies are generally acknowledged and methods of control have been suggested. In addition, immunizations against diphtheria and influenza have been advised under certain circumstances. Respiratory syncytial virus and pertussis probably account for some upper respiratory tract illnesses among personnel and may lead to serious morbidity in pediatric patients. Laboratory-acquired infections can be diverse and exotic. Control measures should include surveillance, appropriate immunizations, epidemiologic investigation coordinated with infection control, antibiotic prophylaxis when indicated and environmental safeguards.

Evaluation of phosmet for the control of the common scabies mite on cattle

Thirty-four young range cattle heavily infested with the common scabies mite, Psoroptes ovis, were dipped in phosmet (O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(mercaptomethyl)phthalimide) in 15 trials. All concentrations from 0.15% to 0.25% that were applied once failed in at least one trial, but all concentrations from 0.075% to 0.20% were successful in eradicating mites when used twice at 7- to 10-day intervals. One single dip tried at 0.30% also was successful. Uninfested yearlings were dipped in 0.30% phosmet without apparent intoxication, but 2-year-old cattle treated in a spray-dip machine at 0.40% active ingredient became depressed and stiff gaited.