AWOL - Dr Mohammed's FACT FILES

MANGE

WHAT IS MANGE?

Mange is caused by a mite of which there are four types that cause either Sarcoptic, Psoroptic, Choriopict or Demodeetic mange. The actual type of mite can only be ascertained with the use of a microscope. The mites spread easily when an animal is in poor condition, has poor nutrition or lives in an overcrowded environment. Usually the first signs of a mite infestation are areas of baldness that appear on the back of the donkeys front legs but if not treated quickly it can spread all over the body.

Cases of mange are normally at a much higher level in Autumn and Winter months when the mites are active all day. At other times of year due to the high daytime temperatures the mites are most active at night when after copulation the female mite burrows into the skin and lays her eggs on the edges of the wounds she has created. These eggs hatch in 3 to 4 days. This causes extreme itching which means that the donkey doesn't get much sleep so that it is tired in the morning when the owner wants it to be ready to work. If the donkey doesn't work the owner cannot make an income and therefore cannot feed his family so however tired the donkey is it has to work. We leave it to your imagination as to how a tired donkey is made to work.

As the donkey is rundown and well below par it is very likely to suffer from intestinal worms which a healthy donkey keeps on top of so you can see that unless AWOL is there this situation is an ever downward spiral for donkey and owner alike.

ANIMALS AFFECTED BY MANGE

Mange affects many animals but in the area where AWOL works we see it mainly on donkeys, dogs and the occasional horse. It can also affect humans so we take particular care with cross transference.

HOW MANGE IS SPREAD

Infection is spread by direct contact between affected animals but mange is also spread indirectly from mites that have attached themselves to various items such as the animal's tack, the clothes of the owner or something as simple as an infected animal rubbing itself on a wall or tree leaving mites that attach themselves to the next animal that comes along.

TREATMENT

Treatment varies depending on the severity of the case. With treatment AWOL always gives advice so as to minimise the chance of re-infection. Owners need healthy animals so most are eager to learn. Light infestations can be treated by regular washing with either Sulphur soap or the slightly more expensive Polytar soap, both of which we supply free of charge.

For anything more that light infestations the drug of choice is Ivermectine by IM injection as not only does it treat 3 out of the 4 types of mange but also intestinal worms. There are different types available but AWOL has to buy the best quality as we must get these working animals back to full health as quickly as possible. The dose required depends on the weight of the animal and currently (April 2009) it is costing AWOL 25 to 33 Egyptian pounds (£3.12 to £4.12) per donkey but due to the severity of infection many cases will need a follow up injection in due course.

CONTROLLING MANGE IN THE FUTURE

AWOL's education program shows our commitment to the people and animals which will ensure early awareness of mange in the future. We will continue to work together with the villagers to ensure that every area that AWOL covers is kept as mange free as is humanly possible.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Obviously AWOL cannot and does not charge for any treatment so we continue to help these poor people and animals only by using your donation so please donate whatever you can. To find out how you can donate to AWOL please Click Here. If you are coming to Luxor you can help stop the spread of mange by bringing hand gel for us as proper washing facilities are not easily available.

UK Registered Charity No: 1124154

This page was updated on 22-Feb-2012

Egyptian Charity Luxor No: 7 Registered 2009