Efficacy of fluralaner administered either orally or topically for the treatment of naturally acquired Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis infestation in dogs

Abstract

BackgroundThe efficacy of fluralaner, formulated as a chewable tablet (Bravecto™) or topical solution (Bravecto™ Spot-on Solution), was evaluated against naturally acquired Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis infestation in dogs.MethodsThe study was performed in privately-owned dogs naturally infested with S. scabiei var. canis. All dogs living in the same household as the infested dog were enrolled into one of 3 groups (2 fluralaner treated and 1 negative control). All dogs within one household were administered the same treatment, with one dog per household included in further observations and assessments. In total, 29 dogs confirmed positive for sarcoptic mange were included. On Day 0, all dogs in group 1 (n = 9) were treated once orally with fluralaner at a minimum dose of 25 mg/kg body weight; all dogs in group 2 (n = 11) were treated once topically with fluralaner at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight; and dogs in group 3 (n = 9) were treated once topically with saline solution. Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis mites on each dog were counted before treatment and at 4 weeks after treatment in deep skin scrapings (~4 cm2) from 5 different body areas. Clinical signs of infestation (i.e. erythematous papules; casts, scales and crusts; body areas with hair loss) and pruritus were recorded at the same time points.ResultsSingle oral or topical treatment with fluralaner resulted in a 100 % reduction in mite counts post-treatment (group 1: P = 0.0009 and group 2: P = 0.0011). Resolution of clinical signs at four weeks post-treatment was variable, with improvement observed for erythematous papules, casts and crusts, and pruritus. All fluralaner treated dogs showed an improvement in overall hair re-growth compared with pre-treatment observations.ConclusionFluralaner administered either orally or topically to naturally infested dogs eliminates Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis mites and improves clinical signs over a 4-week observation period.

Comparative in vitro evaluation of contact activity of fluralaner, spinosad, phoxim, propoxur, permethrin and deltamethrin against the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum

“…With a new mode of action and predominantly systemic activity, the isoxazoline ectoparasiticides have seen growing use in companion animals for the treatment of flea and tick infestations, and have been tested for a wide variety of blood-feeding arthropods [ 33 ], skin-dwelling mammal mites such as Sarcoptes scabei [ 17 , 20 ] and a few non- blood-feeders such as blow fly or mosquito larvae [ 15 ]. The latter study showed the lower threshold for significantly increased mortality for most target arthropods occurred at somewhere around 1 ppm.…”

“…This mitigates cross-resistance to other chemotypes, and differing target sites between arthropods and mammals result in selective toxicity and mechanistically based safety [ 16 ]. Isoxazolines, including fluralaner, afoxalaner and sarolaner, are under development and are of increasing importance in the control of external parasites in dogs and cats, including mites [ 17 – 20 ]. The present study was conducted to determine if fluralaner possesses contact activity against O. sylviarum , and compare this activity with that of other acaricides commonly used against mite infestations of poultry.…”

A Review of Scabies: An Infestation More than Skin Deep

“…Administration of a single dose of fluralaner is an effective treatment for naturally acquired S. scabiei var. canis infestation in dogs [83], and recent data show that a single dose of oral fluralaner is as effective as a single dose of oral ivermectin for the treatment of human scabies, with cure rates of 86 and 83% 4 weeks after treatment, respectively [Goldust, unpubl. ; 84].…”

Population‐scale treatment informs solutions for control of environmentally transmitted wildlife disease

“…Recent advances in longer lasting treatments for control of S. scabiei and other ecto-parasites (e.g. fluralaner, a newly developed, long-lasting, ecto-parasiticide) may be candidates for wombats(Taenzler, Liebenberg, Roepke, Frénais, & Heckeroth, 2016). Thus, an improved pharmaceutical agent in conjunction with other management changes (i.e.…”