A study was carried out to find out the taxonomy, chemotherapy of mange mites in sheep and its effect on different blood parameters. A total of 30 flocks comprising of fifteen hundred sheep of different age and sexes were examined in the city and villages around Lahore. Out of above mentioned animals 200 suspected sheep were thoroughly examined and 30 (15%) were found positive for mange mites infestation. Species of three genera namely Sarcoptes, Psoroptes and Chorioptes were found infesting these animals.
The average number of mites recovered from the species of each genera were recorded as 851, 825 and 815 for Psoroptes, Sarcoptes and Chorioptes respectively. For the identification of different species of mange mites microscopic examination was carried out and mites were first seen under low power and then high power of magnification. The slides were mounted with mites and then examined to study their morphological characteristics.

The three genera identified were Sarcoptes, Psoroptes and Chorioptes in sheep.

Chemotherapeutic trials were carried out in suspected sheep by using two concentrations of neguvon solution i.e. 0.10% and 0.15% at ten days intervals. For this purpose sheep were divided into three groups. Group A was treated with 0.10% solution of neguvon, group B with 0.15% solution of neguvon and group C was kept as untreated control group. The data obtained on reduction of mites due to acaricide application were subjected to statistical analysis by applying completely randomized design and results were recorded. It was noticed that 0.15% neguvon was highly effective against mange mites infestation when it was replied twice after ten days interval.

The effect of mange mites on different blood parameters was also recorded. For this purpose sheep were divided into three groups. Group I comprised of clinically infested sheep, group II subclinically infested sheep and group C included healthy sheep which was kept as control for the comparison. The effect of mange mites on different blood parameters of two infested groups of sheep i.e. I and II was recorded before and after two applications of 0.10% and 0.15% neguvon solution at ten days interval and results were compared with group C for comparison.

The findings of this study indicated that the infestation of mange mites is a quite common problem in sheep population of this area. The sheep suffering from mange mites exhibit poor feed intake, severe irritation, scratching, bleeding, loss of wool, low body growth, reduced production and damaged skin. Such infested sheep are also susceptible to various viral and bacterial diseases which makes sheep production uneconomical and put extra burden on the sheep breeders.

Keeping all this in view suitable and prompt measures should be taken for early diagnosis and treatment of the infested animals. This will result not only for the control of the disease, but also help to improve the economical condition of the owners. It will also increase the gross national product of Pakistan.