Mange in Exotic Small Mammals

Date: May 20, 2010; references updated November 16, 2025

By: Mark Mitchell, MS, DVM, PhD, DECZM (Herpetology)

Keywords: , , , , , , , ,

Categories: Ferret,  Gerbil,  Guinea pig,  Hamster,  Hedgehog,  Mammals,  Mouse,  Rabbit,  Rat,  Rodent, 

Key Points

  • A diagnostic plan for dermatitis in the small mammal should follow standard protocols including hematology, radiography, microbiology, cytology, and surgical biopsy as indicated.
  • Sarcoptid fur mites such as Sarcoptes scabei and Trixacarus caviae affect a wide variety of mammals and guinea pigs, respectively. Both species can cause pruritus, scales, crusts, and alopecia.
  • Humans that become infested with sarcoptid mites may develop dermatitis.

Most species of mites are host-specific, however take special precautions, such as wearing exam gloves, to minimize the spread of potentially zoonotic pathogens. Humans that become infested with Sarcoptes scabei may develop wheals, vesicles, papules, and intense pruritus. Pet owners, especially children, may become infected with . . .

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References

Arlian LG. Biology, host relations, and epidemiology of Sarcoptes scabiei. Ann Rev Entomol. 1989;34:139-161.

Kim SH, Lee YG, Jun HK, et al. Efficacy of selamectin in the treatment of cheyletiellosis in pet rabbits. Vet Dermatol. 2008;19(1):26-27.

Kurtdedc A, Karaer Z, Acar A, et al. Use of selamectin for the treatment of psoropic and sarcoptic mite infestation in rabbits. Vet Dermatol. 2007;18(1):18-22.

Lightfoot T. Dermatopathy in hedgehogs. Exotic DVM. 1998;1(1):11.

Mitchell M. Exotic mammal dermatology. CVC 2009.

Mook DM, Benjamin KA. Use of selamectin and moxidectin in the treatment of mouse fur mites. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2008;47(3):20-24.

 

Further reading 

Attia MM, Ibrahim AM, Sakr OG, Salem HM, Barsoum SS, Kamel M, El Gameel SM. Health status of rabbits infested with sarcoptic mange with different lesion scores. J Parasit Dis. 2025 Jun;49(2):334-342. doi: 10.1007/s12639-024-01750-7. Epub 2024 Nov 7. PMID: 40458511; PMCID: PMC12126406.

Deak G, Matei MM, Doboși AA, et al. Effective treatment with afoxolaner (NexGard) of Trixacarus caviae in a pet guinea pig. Vet Med Sci. 2024 Sep;10(5):e70039. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70039. PMID: 39239737; PMCID: PMC11377953.

d’Ovidio D, Santoro D. Leporacarus gibbus infestation in client-owned rabbits and their owner. Vet Dermatol. 2014 Feb;25(1):46-e17. doi: 10.1111/vde.12089. Epub 2013 Dec 11. PMID: 24325409.

Foley J, Serieys LE, Stephenson N, et al. A synthetic review of notoedres species mites and mange. Parasitology. 2016;143(14):1847-1861. doi: 10.1017/S0031182016001505. Epub 2016 Sep 9. PMID: 27608857.

Ogolla KO, Chebet J, Waruiru RM, et al. Efficacy of Ivermectin, Liquid Paraffin, and Carbaryl against Mange of Farmed Rabbits in Central Kenya. J Trop Med. 2019 Nov 27;2019:5092845. doi: 10.1155/2019/5092845. PMID: 31885634; PMCID: PMC6900945.

Panigrahi PN, Mohanty BN, Gupta AR, Patra RC, Dey S. Concurrent infestation of Notoedres, Sarcoptic and Psoroptic acariosis in rabbit and its management. J Parasit Dis. 2016 Sep;40(3):1091-3. doi: 10.1007/s12639-014-0631-3. Epub 2014 Dec 20. PMID: 27605843; PMCID: PMC4996244.

White SD, Guzman DS, Paul-Murphy J, Hawkins MG. Skin diseases in companion guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus): a retrospective study of 293 cases seen at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California at Davis (1990-2015). Vet Dermatol. 2016 Oct;27(5):395-e100. doi: 10.1111/vde.12348. Epub 2016 Jun 20. PMID: 27324689.

To cite this page:

Mitchell M. Mange in exotic small mammals. May 20, 2010. LafeberVet web site. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/mange-in-exotic-small-mammals/. https://lafeber.com/vet/mange-in-exotic-small-mammals/