Sheep scab: how to detect it in time and protect wool production

Sheep scab positions itself as one of the most damaging parasitic diseases for wool production in Argentina. Given this scenario, specialists provide recommendations for early detection, timely treatment, and prevention.

Although its most common occurrence is during winter, mange—caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis—can be present throughout the year. For this reason, it is important to conduct frequent and systematic observations of the flocks. From INTA, Senasa, SAGyP, and COPROSA, they emphasize that permanent monitoring is very useful for identifying the first clinical signs: persistent scratching, restlessness, and wool loss, which lead to thoroughly checking the animals to identify the presence of mites and detect it early. "During the pre-service stage, the concentration of animals for tasks such as face shearing and general review provides a strategic opportunity to identify the presence of Psoroptes ovis and other ectoparasites," explained Fernando Paolicchi, a specialist and coordinator of the National Animal Health Program of INTA. The optimal time for applying treatments—whether immersion or injectable—coincides with the shearing season, when the entire flock is gathered. However, ...