Scab of Sheep. 



949 



The changes extend quickly under the long fleece, especially 

 in stabled sheep, so that within 6 to 8 weeks the whole of the 

 body may be affected. In infected flocks the development oc- 

 curs more quickly, because by the near contact of the equally 

 contaminated fellows fresh mites are always transmitted to the 

 affected bodies, and these now attack fresh areas which soon 

 coalesce with those already present. 



In consequence of the softness of the skin, and also on 

 account of the thickness of the fleece, young well-bred 

 sheep are generally infected more easily and attacked more 

 severely. If the disease has already attacked the greater part 

 of the bodv, emaciation sets in, and the increasing anemia and 



Fig. 144. Drnnutocaptic scab in the sheep. 



cachexia finally lead to death. Such an unfavorable result is, 

 however, usually observed only in winter when the animals live 

 huddled together in warm stables, while the disease quickly sub- 

 sides in summer after shearing and when they are in the open. 



Dermatophagic Scab. This form of mange occurs very 

 rarely and is only slightly contagious. It always begins on the 

 hind fetlocks and their joints (leg scab, fetlock mange) where 

 the skin becomes inflamed, covered with fine little scales, and 

 later by thick crusts, finally becoming thickened and cracked. 

 The animals stamp their feet and gnaw the affected foot. 

 The affection only exceptionally passes over to the forelegs and 



