What About Mange?
By Jenny Blaney

Mange was first identified as a pest in pigs 140 years ago. It continues to this day to be a challenge to veterinarians and remains a costly proposition in commercial pig operations. Don’t assume that because your potbelly is a pet in the house that the following information does not apply to your situation. The sarcoptes scabies var. suis is just as content to munch on your potbelly as a commercial pig.

Symptoms of mange can be anywhere from sub clinical to very subtle to obvious. Potbellies with sub clinical mange could be regarded as “carriers” with no visible signs of the parasite. These are the most difficult cases to spot. They do not rub or scratch nor do they have any discoloration of the skin. There are no “flakes” or dandruff. There are no lesions. However, when sub clinical potbellies are subjected to stress such as traveling to the vet or a show, a sudden cold or hot change in the weather, a new member added to (or subtracted from) a household, mange can spontaneously erupt. A gilt coming into her first heat can suddenly break out with mange.

Symptoms of mange can be very subtle, but left untreated will develop into more obvious signs. Symptoms characteristic of mange infestation are as follows:

1. The pig’s skin is dry and scaly, like “dandruff” (Potbellies are known for their dry skin making it even more difficult to differentiate between mange and a normal dry skin condition.)

2. The pig begins to rub against objects – a black pig will leave white “tracks” on the body where it has rubbed against furniture, etc.

3. Tiny bumps and/or scabs appear just under the surface of the skin most often found behind the ears, under the front legs and on the chest, between the back legs and on the ankles just above the hard hoof. These bumps become more prevalent anywhere the skin is thin or moist or both. These same moist areas take on an orange cast in color, more easily seen on pigs with white skin, but present on black pigs as well. The orange color will wash off only to reappear in two or three days.

4. Ears begin to exude excessive amounts of reddish-brown debris. Ears sometimes have a bad smell.

5. Eyes have the same reddish-brown, crusty matter in the corners and sometimes on the eyelashes.

6.Eyes begin to tear, sometimes to the point of leaving tear “tracks” down the face. The pig looks like he is crying.

A pig may have all of the above symptoms without having started to scratch or rub. A pig may rub or scratch a lot with only one or two of the above symptoms. Some pigs just have filthy ears and eyes that “cry” but no other symptoms. As with most syndromes, some pigs seem to have a higher resistance threshold while other pigs are super sensitive to mange infestation.

Left untreated, a pig with some or all of the symptoms above will develop a chronic” condition that is classic and easy to recognize. Aside from the stated indicators of mange, there are some additional signs to look for:

1.scaly, scabby, thickened skin

2.coat thin and/or actual hair loss

3. black skin becomes dark gray

4. orange cast is more prevalent on top of the back between the shoulder blades will be a greasy patch due to constant localized irritation.

Since chronic and/or obvious cases of mange are more prone to being treated, I would like to focus further on the less obvious sub clinical “carriers.” Often potbellies are vaccinated and wormed twice a year as part of their normal medical management routine. In addition many owners worm in-between those visits to the veterinarian. A pre-existing case of mange is probably kept somewhat under control in these cases, although it is never really eradicated. Therefore, lingering subtle symptoms are present but not always recognized. Skin and hair coat damage from mange mites is gradual and may be misinterpreted as due to inadequate diet and/or vitamins.

Many times, I have been told of a change in temperament of the pig. The pig may become a little more lethargic, less “sweet,” cranky and less tolerant of being handled. Since worming is being done at least twice a year and there are no obvious symptoms, mange is seldom considered the culprit. In almost all cases the dirty ears are the big tip-off. Proper treatments for mange, even without a confirmed diagnosis almost always results in improvement in general condition, appearance, and temperament of the pig.

“In What About Mange?” – Part III, we will be looking in detail at various treatment options. We will consider the preventive approach, treatment of the occasional outbreak as well as treatment and management of the persistent chronic infestation by this insidious external parasite.

About the Author: Jenny Blaney has been monitoring potbellied pigs since 1989. Her special interests lie in genetics, medical and health issues related to these unique critters.