Comparison of the initial and residual speed of Ixodes scapularis kill on dogs treated with a single dose of Bravecto® Chew (25 mg/kg fluralaner) or Simparica TRIO® (1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin, 5 mg/kg pyrantel).

BACKGROUND: Compliant ectoparasiticide product use is a comprehensive way to control ticks and reduce the risk of tick-borne pathogen transmission to dogs. Because the systemically acting isoxazoline ectoparasiticides require tick attachment for drug delivery, fast speed of kill is essential to minimize tick-borne pathogen transmission risk. METHODS: Dogs of satisfactory tick-carrying capacity were randomly allocated to treatment groups and administered, per label instructions, Bravecto® Chews (minimum 25 mg/kg fluralaner), Simparica TRIO® (minimum 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin, 5 mg/kg pyrantel), or no treatment. Dogs were infested with approximately 50 unfed adult (35 female, 15 male) Ixodes scapularis on Day -2, 21 and 28. Live tick counts were performed at 4, 8, 12 and 24 h post-treatment (Day 0) and post-infestation on Day 21 and 28. Tick control efficacy was determined by comparing live tick means for each product-treated group to the untreated control group and each other at all time points using a linear mixed model. The percent of dogs free of live ticks was analyzed using the Fisher's exact test for treatment group comparison. RESULTS: The untreated control group maintained adequate tick infestations throughout the study. Using geometric means, an existing I. scapularis infestation was controlled by 99.7% and 93.0% 12 h post-treatment and by 100% and 99.5% 24 h post-treatment, for Bravecto® and Simparica TRIO®-treated dogs, respectively. Ixodes scapularis infestations were controlled more quickly for Bravecto®- compared to Simparica TRIO®-treated dogs on Day 21 at 8 h (efficacy 74.0% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.003) and 12 h (efficacy 99.2% vs. 39.4%, p < 0.001) post-infestation and Day 28 at 8 h (efficacy 92.2% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001) and 12 h (efficacy 99.6% vs. 27.7%, p < 0.001) post-infestation. On Day 28 post-treatment, the efficacy of Bravecto® and Simparica TRIO® to control a new I. scapularis infestation was 100% and 96.6%, respectively, by 24 h post-infestation. Of product-treated dogs, 100% of Bravecto®-treated dogs were free of live ticks by 24 h post-treatment or post-infestation. No treatment-related adverse reactions occurred during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Ixodes scapularis infestations are controlled more quickly 21 and 28 days post-treatment for dogs administered a single dose of Bravecto® compared to dogs administered a single dose of Simparica TRIO®.

Identification and treatment of Strongyloides cebus in captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in the midwestern United States.

Strongyloides spp. are parasitic enteric nematodes that infect a variety of hosts. While the Strongyloides spp. that affect humans, apes, and Old World primates have been previously identified, this genus has not been as fully investigated in prosimian species such as ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). A high burden (4+) of larvated eggs and larvae were identified in the fecal samples of two captive ring-tailed lemurs during routine intake examination at a zoo in the midwestern United States. Conventional PCR targeting the 18S RNA gene of nematodes was used identified the parasite as Strongyloides cebus. The lemurs were initially treated with 0.2 mg/kg ivermectin orally twice, two weeks apart. Repeat fecal sampling showed persistent, but decreased eggs and larvae from 4+ to 3+. Ivermectin treatment was repeated with the addition of fenbendazole at 50 mg/kg orally once daily for 3 days. No parasite stages were seen on fecal samples one week and six weeks after the last ivermectin indicating successful clearance of the infection.