Therapeutic management of scabies in a captive camel (camelus dromedaries)

Two adult camels (one male and female each) weighing about 450-500 kg body weight reared under captive conditions at Adhiparasakthi Agricultural and Horticulture College farm, kalavai, Vellore district had anorexia, debility, alopecia, intense purities and was not amenable to antibiotic therapy. Clinically camels were weak, emaciated and had itching, purities, biting and rubbing against objects and were totally restless and secondary bacterial infection were also noticed. The lesions were scattered throughout the entire surface of the body with involvement of head, face, neck, brisket region, thighs, inguinal region, perineal region and root of the tail etc., Keratinisation, thickening, corrugation and wrinkling of the skin, exudation, bleeding, fissured skin and scab formation were also noticed. The cause for skin lesion was diagnosed as Sarcoptes scabiei var. cameli. By skin scrapping .The camel was treated with ivermectin at the dose rate of 200 microgram per kg body weight in combination with antibiotic, multivitamins and mineral supplements for a period of time and during the course of treatment the camel was provided with medicated bath. Finally the treatment resolved the case successfully.