MITES

If your goat is losing hair on its lower legs around the hock and above the hoof, inside the leg where it connects to the body, on the scrotum, udder, anus, ears, face, or other areas that normally have a thin hair covering or has skin that has formed wrinkled and thickened crusts almost like fish scales , then your goat likely has mange mites.

Sometimes called "scabies," from the Latin word that means "to scratch," this ectoparasite (parasite that lives on or just below the skin of its host) should not be confused with "scrapie," which is an incurable brain disease. Mites belong to the arachnid subclass Acari, so another term for mite infestation is Acariasis.

Manage mites are contagious. Transmission is through direct body contact from goat to goat.

WHAT MITES ARE AND WHAT THEY DO:

There are three types of mange mites that can affect goats: scarcoptic, psoroptic, and chorioptic. The mite hardest to eradicate is the scarcoptic mange mite (Scarcoptes scabei) because it burrows into the skin, making tunnels in which it lives and lays eggs, feeds on skin cells, and sucks lymph fluid. The goat body parts mentioned above are starting points for these mites because they can spread over the goat's entire body. Psoroptic and chorioptic mites don't burrow into the skin but still damage the goat.

When you suspect mites, assume the most difficult to control (scarcoptic) and treat to eradicate them.

A skin plug taken by a vet and examined under a microscope is necessary for accurate diagnosis. Skin scrapings are seldom sufficient because the mites burrow deep into the skin. A plug must be pulled to the point of drawing blood. Occasionally mites or their eggs can be found in fecal samples, but examining a skin plug under a microscope is the most accurate method of diagnosis.

It is easy to mis-diagnose visually, decide to treat for one condition, then it turns out to be another. Example: Mis-diagnose fungus as staph infection, use steroids as part of the treatment, and the fungus rapidly gets worse. You need to learn how to diagnose different skin diseases, because qualified goat vets are rare.

The mite spends its entire life cycle either on or under the goat's skin. This parasite cannot survive off the goat for more than a few days. Intense itching follows the development of lesions, thickening of the skin, and formation of dry crusts. Itching is the body's inflammatory response to the mites' fecal pellets. Zinc deficiency may coincide with mite infestation, and a secondary bacterial skin infection can occur, requiring antibiotics.

Mite infestation can occur in summer or winter. Changing weather conditions affect mite infestation. Mites frequently take up residence on goats in periods of drought when their normal hosts (rabbits, squirrels, deer) have died off, as well as in areas where goats live in close quarters and are intensively managed. Immune-suppressed goats are more likely to have the worst cases of mite infestation, but healthy animals can be infested when the mite population is high. A group of bucks in rut can be sufficiently stressed that their immune systems are compromised enough for mites to attack them.

Poor semen production in breeding bucks can be caused by mange mites burrowing into the skin of bucks’ scrotums. Semen production must be done at temperatures lower than the goat's body temperature. The scrotum's design permits heat loss so that semen can be produced outside the body. Scab formation on the scrotum prevents this heat loss, trapping heat inside and impairing semen production. While the buck's sex drive (libido) is not reduced, his body cannot produce sperm capable of inseminating female goats. Once the mites are killed, quality semen production usually returns. Reproductive abilities in female goats are not affected by mites.

Human reaction to mites is normally limited to skin irritation and can clear up on its own. Sometimes topical anti-itch medications are needed.

HOW TO KILL MITES ON YOUR GOATS:

Aggressive treatment is necessary to kill mites on goats. No one-time-use treatment will work. Hair must be re-growing on the goat's body parts before treatment can be considered effective. Long-haired goats may have to be sheared for mite eradication to be successful. Since mites can live for several days off the goat and in the environment before they die, sheds and bedding areas must also be frequently cleaned and treated. At a minimum, rake and dispose of all contaminated bedding and dust the loafing areas with Diatomaceous Earth or similar product daily.

ALL goats in the herd must be treated -- not just the ones with obvious mite infestation.

There are several different products that can be used to kill mites on and under the skin of goats. The product which I have found that works best to kill mange mites is All Purpose Nu-Stock. It is a sulphur, mineral oil, and pine-oil-based cream in a tube that should be applied using disposable gloves (it is messy and smells bad). I think NuStock works best because (a) it stays on longer, and (b) it "suffocates" the mites. Apply at least once a week for at least three consecutive weeks. Nu-Stock also has many other uses. Jeffers (1-800-JEFFERS) carries Nu-Stock. Keep several tubes in your inventory. NuStock is currently available without prescription (February 2026).

Less preferred treatments include injecting the dewormer Ivermectin SQ, dosing at one to two cc's per 50 pounds bodyweight weekly for at least three consecutive weeks. Use the 1% strength Ivermectin and inject SQ over the ribs with an 18 gauge needle to minimize stinging reactions. Topical application of Lime Sulphur Dip must be done AT THE SAME TIME that you use the 1% ivermectin subcutaneously. Buy Lime Sulphur Dip (97.8% strength) concentrated form and mix according to label directions. Lime Sulphur mix is applied by spray or dip and must be done every week for at least three weeks and sometimes weekly as long as six weeks if the skin isn't clearing up. Topical application of 1% Ivermectin weekly for three or more consecutive weeks is an alternative to Lime Sulphur Dip. Jeffers carries 1% Ivermectin and Lime-Sulphur Dip concentrate.

NuStock is much easier to use and requires less frequent applications. NuStock has long been the most effective treatment for my herd.

Livestock guardian dogs (and all other dogs) are also subject to mite infestation and may have to be treated. REMEMBER THAT IVERMECTIN IS TOXIC TO SOME DOG BREEDS. Check your livestock guardian dogs for mites when you determine your goats have them and treat the dogs appropriately.

Goats can be infested with both mange mites and LICE. See my article on the Articles page of www.tennesseemeatgoats.com on how to recognize and treat to eradicate lice.

Note: Mange mites and "hot spots" on dogs are two entirely different problems. "Hot spots" occur at areas of heavy flea infestation, and dogs usually lick the areas repeatedly. First treat the entire dog for fleas , then apply Gentocin Spray (vet prescription) to the "hot spot" until it clears up.

Suzanne W. Gasparotto, ONION CREEK RANCH , Texas 2.1.26

The author, Suzanne Gasparotto, hereby grants to local goat publications and club newsletters, permission to reprint articles published on the Onion Creek Ranch website under these conditions: THE ARTICLE MUST BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THE AUTHOR'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRINT. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used. (A copy of the newsletter or publication would also be a welcome addition to our growing library of goat related information!)

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