Mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari : Sarcoptidae) in wild raccoon dogs, Nyctereutes procyonoides, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Parasitological and histopathological examinations were performed in 25 rac coon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) obtained in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan , all of which were found to be heavily infected with Sarcoptes scabiei. Th e mites detected on these raccoon dogs were morphologically indistinguishab le from the human species, and no Demodex mites were detected. Histopatholo gical examinations showed prominent hyperkeratosis and acanthosis with ecze ma, and numerous burrows containing mites were observed in the epidermis. T he enzootic dermatitis of wild raccoon dogs in recent years was clearly dem onstrated to be caused by S. scabiei in the present study.