How to treat subcutaneous ticks in pigs? - briefly
Administer a systemic acaricide—e.g., injectable ivermectin at the recommended dosage—to eliminate embedded ticks, and inspect the pig for residual lesions. Apply a topical acaricide to the skin and keep the environment clean to prevent reinfestation.
How to treat subcutaneous ticks in pigs? - in detail
Subcutaneous tick infestations in swine require prompt, systematic intervention to eliminate parasites, prevent secondary infection, and reduce tissue damage. Effective management combines accurate diagnosis, appropriate pharmacological treatment, supportive care, and preventive measures.
Accurate diagnosis begins with thorough physical examination. Palpate the skin for firm nodules, especially along the neck, back, and flanks. Confirm the presence of embedded ticks by gently incising the nodule with a sterile scalpel; larvae, nymphs, or engorged adults may be visible. Collect specimens for laboratory identification if species‑specific control is needed.
Pharmacological control
- Acaricidal injection: Administer a single dose of ivermectin at 0.2 mg/kg intramuscularly. Ivermectin penetrates subcutaneous tissues and kills both attached ticks and those migrating within the host.
- Oral formulation: Use doramectin at 0.2 mg/kg orally for a 3‑day course if injection is impractical. Ensure withdrawal times are observed.
- Topical concentrate: Apply a permethrin‑based spray (0.5 % concentration) directly to the affected area after incision. Repeat after 48 hours to target newly emerging larvae.
Supportive care
- Clean the incision site with povidone‑iodine solution, then cover with a sterile dressing to prevent bacterial invasion.
- Administer a broad‑spectrum antibiotic (e.g., enrofloxacin 5 mg/kg IM once daily for 5 days) if signs of cellulitis or systemic infection appear.
- Provide analgesia such as meloxicam 0.4 mg/kg orally once daily for 3 days to alleviate pain from tissue inflammation.
Preventive strategies
- Implement regular whole‑herd acaricide treatment every 30 days during peak tick season.
- Maintain clean, dry housing; remove straw and debris that harbor questing ticks.
- Apply environmental acaricides (e.g., pyrethrin dust) to pens after each cleaning cycle.
- Rotate pastures and avoid grazing in known tick‑infested fields.
Monitoring and follow‑up
- Re‑examine treated pigs after 7 days; any residual nodules require repeat incision and additional acaricide application.
- Record treatment dates, dosages, and withdrawal periods in herd health logs to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
- Conduct quarterly tick counts in the environment to assess the efficacy of control measures and adjust protocols accordingly.