Clinical Studies on the Efficacy of Different Topical Drugs with Ivermectin Injection in the Treatment of Egyptian Water Buffalo Calves Infested with Psoroptes Spp. Mites

A total of thirty water buffalo calves at smallholder farm suffering from skin lesions and clinical signs compatible with mange were investigated clinically and parasitologically. The efficacy of three topical drugs with ivermectin in the treatment of psoroptes mites was investigated. Infested calves were randomly allocated into four groups (6 calves each) in addition to a positive control group. The four uncontrolled groups were treated with a single subcutaneous injection of ivermectin at the rate of 1mL/50kg body weight. Three groups were treated with different topical agents including benzyl benzoate 25%, crotamiton 10% and permethrin 5% once daily for two consecutive days. The number of live mites in skin scrapings was obtained before and after treatment for eight weeks. Severity of skin lesions was evaluated and scored. The synergistic effect of each topical agent with ivermectin were compared for eliminating mites, aiming to obtain the ideal treatment model. Mite counts of the treated animals with ivermectin plus permethrin were significantly (p