Ear mites from domestic goats in Florida

Ear canals of 284 domestic goats from Florida were examined via swabbing for the presence of ear mites; 57% were infested withPsoroptes cuniculi. Raillietia caprae was recovered from 2 goats in one herd. Breeds examined were Nubian, Alpine, Saanen, Toggenburg, La Mancha, Spanish/ Woods and Pygmy. Goats with dependent ear types were infested more commonly than those with erect ears; no goats with vestigial ears were found to harbor mites. Goats less than 1 year old had a significantly higher mite prevalence than did goats over 1 year of age. Gross lesions were noted in the ear canals of only three individuals.This paper was previously accepted for publication in the journal Goat and Sheep Research prior to that journal's demise.