Prevalence of Sarcoptic Mange in Dogs in and around Jabalpur

Abstract

Background: Sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis, is a highly contagious ectoparasitic skin disease of dogs that poses a significant zoonotic risk to humans worldwide. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the Veterinary Clinical Complex in Jabalpur, India, between December 2025 and May 2026 to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors associated with sarcoptic mange in dogs. A total of 2,479 dogs were clinically screened; of these, 198 presented with suggestive dermatological signs and underwent diagnostic evaluation using deep skin scrapings. Results: Microscopic examination confirmed 29 positive cases, corresponding to an overall hospital-based prevalence of 1.16% (29/2,479) and a positivity rate of 14.64% (29/198) within the symptomatic subgroup. Statistically significant associations with infestation were observed for age (P = 0.003) and sex (P = 0.010). Dogs aged 1–2 years had the highest positivity rate (24.69%), while male dogs were affected more frequently (20.17%) than female dogs (7.14%). Breed was not significantly associated with susceptibility (P = 0.855), although non-descript (mixed-breed) dogs represented the largest numerical proportion of positive cases (18.84%). Skin lesions were predominantly localised to the facial region, particularly the peri-aural ear margins (75.86%). In addition, lack of vaccination (51.72%), absence of a deworming history (41.37%), and presentation more than one month after onset (41.37%) were frequently recorded among confirmed cases. Conclusion: Sarcoptic mange remains an important cause of canine morbidity in the hospital setting. The findings show significant associations with age and sex, while facial lesion patterns and suboptimal preventive health management were frequently observed among confirmed cases. These findings highlight the need for targeted clinical vigilance during examination and improved owner compliance with routine preventive care.