Doramectin in the treatment of generalized demodicosis.

BACKGROUND: Generalized demodicosis is a common disease in dogs and doramectin has been reported as a successful treatment. Different treatment protocols using doramectin have not been previously evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether oral administration of doramectin twice a week is more effective than administration by subcutaneous injection once a week. ANIMALS: Twenty nine privately owned dogs affected with generalized demodicosis. METHODS: Dogs randomly received one of two treatments. Sixteen dogs were treated with 600 µg/kg doramectin by subcutaneous injection once a week and 13 dogs received 600 µg/kg doramectin by oral administration twice a week. RESULTS: The mean age of affected dogs was 2.8 and 2.6 years (P = 0.587) and the mean mite number detected at the initial evaluation was 201 and 287 (P = 0.04), respectively, for each group. The mean time to achieve negative skin scrapings was 13 and 12 weeks, respectively (P = 0.955). Adult-onset demodicosis affected five of 16 and two of 13 dogs, respectively (P = 0.662). The success rate for treatment was 13 of 16 (81%) of dogs receiving subcutaneous injections once a week and 12 of 13 (92%) dogs receiving oral dosaging twice a week. (P = 0.691). Four dogs did not achieve disease remission. In the 12 month follow-up period, one dog that had received the once a week protocol relapsed after eight weeks of treatment withdrawal. Adverse effects were not observed in any dog. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, oral administration of doramectin twice a week does not achieve a more rapid resolution of canine generalized demodicosis than administration by subcutaneous injection once a week. The treatment success rate was the same for both protocols.

Fluralaner as a single dose oral treatment for Caparinia tripilis in a pygmy African hedgehog.

BACKGROUND: African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are popular pets belonging to the Erinaceidae family of spined mammals. Amongst the most common skin diseases occurring in this species is infestation caused by the mite Caparinia spp. Due to their skin anatomy and spiny coat, detection of skin lesions in these hedgehogs can be difficult. This may result in delays in seeking medical care, which may lead to secondary bacterial infection and self-inflicted trauma. Multiple therapies have been used in the treatment of this skin condition including ivermectin, amitraz, fipronil and selamectin. A drug which could be administered as a single oral dose would be advantageous to these pets and their owners. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a single oral dose (15 mg/kg) of fluralaner on Caparinia tripilis infestation in the African pygmy hedgehog. ANIMALS: A 10-month-old African pygmy hedgehog weighing 184 g. METHODS: Response to treatment was monitored by dermatological examination and superficial skin scrapings repeated at 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days following fluralaner administration. RESULTS: On Day 7 after treatment, adult mites were observed exhibiting normal movement. On Day 14, only dead mites were observed. No life stages of the mites were found after Day 21. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A single oral dose at 15 mg/kg of fluralaner was effective within 21 days after treatment for capariniasis in this case. Further studies are required to evaluate the drug's safety and toxicology in hedgehogs, and to confirm efficacy.

Efficacy of fluralaner in 17 dogs with sarcoptic mange.

BACKGROUND: There are few licensed options for the treatment of canine sarcoptic mange. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of fluralaner in dogs with sarcoptic mange infestation. ANIMALS: Seventeen dogs with a diagnosis of Sarcoptes scabiei based on positive skin scrapings. METHODS: A single dose of oral fluralaner was administered according to the manufacturer's instructions. Assessments of pruritus and lesions were performed every 7 days for 1 month. RESULTS: By Day 14 post-treatment, skin scrapings from all dogs were negative for mites. At the beginning of the study there was a negative correlation between body weight of the subject and pruritus [Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) = -0.396, P = 0.007] and a positive correlation between pruritus and lesion severity (PCC 0.755, P = 0.0001). Significant decreases in lesion size and pruritus were observed within the first 14-21 days, respectively, and improvement in these parameters continued until the end of the study at Day 28. CONCLUSION: Fluralaner was effective in eliminating scabies mites within 14 days and significantly resolved the clinical signs associated with sarcoptic mange within 21 days after a single dose.