Efficacy of orally administered fluralaner (BravectoTM) or topically applied imidacloprid/moxidectin (Advocate®) against generalized demodicosis in dogs

Abstract

BackgroundThis laboratory study compared the efficacy of Bravecto™ (fluralaner), formulated as a chewable tablet, with the efficacy of Advocate® (imidacloprid/moxidectin), formulated for topical administration, against naturally acquired generalized demodicosis in dogs.MethodsSixteen dogs, all diagnosed with generalized demodectic mange, were randomly allocated to two equal groups. Bravecto™ chewable tablets were administered once orally at a minimum dose of 25 mg fluralaner/kg body weight to one group of dogs, while the second group was treated topically on three occasions at 28-day intervals with Advocate® at a minimum dose of 10 mg imidacloprid/kg body weight and 2.5 mg moxidectin/kg body weight. Mites were counted in skin scrapings and demodectic lesions were evaluated on each dog before treatment and at 28-day intervals thereafter over a 12 week study period. Deep skin scrapings (~4 cm2) were made from the same five sites on each dog at each subsequent examination.ResultsAfter single oral administration of Bravecto™ chewable tablets, mite numbers in skin scrapings were reduced by 99.8% on Day 28 and by 100% on Days 56 and 84. Mite numbers in the dogs treated topically on three occasions at 28-day intervals with Advocate® were reduced by 98.0% on Day 28, by 96.5% on Day 56 and by 94.7% on Day 84. Statistically significantly (P ≤ 0.05) fewer mites were found on Days 56 and 84 on the Bravecto™ treated dogs compared to Advocate® treated dogs. A marked decrease was observed in the occurrence of erythematous patches, crusts, casts and scales in the dogs treated with Bravecto™ and in the occurrence of erythematous patches in the dogs treated with Advocate®. With the exception of one dog in each treated group, all dogs exhibited hair regrowth ≥ 90% at the end of the study in comparison with their hair-coat at study start.ConclusionsSingle oral administration of Bravecto™ chewable tablets is highly effective against generalized demodicosis, with no mites detectable at 56 and 84 days following treatment. In comparison, Advocate®, administered three times at 28-day intervals, is also highly effective against generalized demodicosis, but most dogs still harboured mites at all assessment time points. Both treatments resulted in a marked reduction of skin lesions and increase of hair re-growth 12 weeks after the initial treatment.

Efficacy of fluralaner against Otodectes cynotis infestations in dogs and cats

“…Fluralaner (Bravecto™) is effective against other cutaneous mite infestations of dogs including generalized demodicosis [15] and sarcoptic mange [16]. This is the first study showing efficacy of fluralaner treatment against a mite infestation of cats.…”

“…Oral fluralaner treatment is effective against generalized Demodex mite infestation on dogs [15] and oral and topical fluralaner treatment are effective against Sarcoptes scabei infestation on dogs [16], whereas there are no reports regarding efficacy against mites on cats. Fluralaner (Bravecto™) is commercially available as a chewable tablet for dogs or as a spot-on solution for cats.…”

Concurrent development of generalised demodicosis, dermatophytosis and meticillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius secondary to inappropriate treatment of atopic dermatitis in an adult dog

“…Various therapeutic protocols are available for demodicosis and choosing the best treatment option will heavily rely on the individual dog. Recent studies have shown the novel isoxazoline antiparasitic agents, including afoxolaner (Nexgard, Merial) (Beugnet and others 2016) and fluralaner (Bravecto, Merck) (Fourie and others 2015), are an effective, safe and efficient treatment option for generalised demodicosis. Administration of these drugs for treatment of demodicosis is still considered off-label use, although due to proven efficacy and safety, afoxolaner (Nexgard, Merial) and fluralaner (Bravecto, Merck) are often recommended for dogs with demodicosis.…”

“…Four months after initial examination, due to new drug availability, ivermectin was discontinued, and fluralaner (Bravecto, Merck) was prescribed for flea and tick prevention. Bravecto has been shown to effectively clear Demodex mite infestations with a single dose (Fourie and others 2015); therefore, this product offered the advantage of flea and tick prevention, as well as treatment of demodicosis. In comparison with ivermectin, the use of Bravecto for treatment of demodicosis can increase client compliance and has a lower risk of side effects.…”

Treatment of canine demodicosis

“…The results showed that after a single oral administration of fluralaner the mite numbers in skin scrapings were reduced by 99.8 per cent on day 28 and by 100 per cent on days 56 and 84. Mite numbers in the dogs treated with the spot-on product were reduced by 98 per cent on day 28, 96.5 per cent on day 56 and 94.7 per cent on day 84 (Fourie and others 2015). It is interesting to see that in this study monthly application of the spot-on product was as effective as only one dose of fluralaner so perhaps additional factors played a role in the successful treatment of these dogs.…”