Treatment of sarcoptic mange in llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Vicugna pacos) with repeated subcutaneous moxidectin injections

An outbreak of sarcoptic mange was investigated in a herd of llamas and alpacas in the Black Forrest (Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany). The diagnosis was made by clinical picture and detection of mites in skin scrapings and ear swabs. At the beginning numerous of Sarcoptes mites were found in the scraping samples. The llamas and alpacas were treated subcutaneously with 0,2 mg/kg bodyweight moxidectin every three weeks (2 mL per llama, 1,5 mL per alpaca). Because of the slow recovery of the South American Camelids it was necessary to repeat the treatment eight times. On days 0, 42, 84, 126, and 168, all animals were examined clinically, and epidermal debris were collected from both auricular areas and other body regions for microscopic examination. The alpacas recovered rapidly and mite counts declined steadily. Llamas showed a slower remission of mite counts and clinical condition. For complete healing of crusting skin reactions, and pruritus six months of treatment were necessary. Therapy of sarcoptic mange in South American Camelids with macrocyclic lactons usually takes a long duration of time.