Efficacy of orally and topically administered fluralaner (Bravecto®) for treatment of client-owned dogs with sarcoptic mange under field conditions

Abstract

Background Successful canine sarcoptic mange treatment requires immediate efficacy to eliminate active mites, and sustained activity to prevent re-infestation from in-contact animals and fomites. With extended acaricidal activity, fluralaner has been shown to be effective for treating this disease. To confirm this potential under field conditions, two fluralaner formulations were administered to mite-infested, client-owned dogs. Methods Households qualified for inclusion if they had at least one dog positive for Sarcoptes scabiei mites, confirmed by skin scraping, and at least one dog with clinical signs evocative of sarcoptic mange. Households were allocated to groups of dogs to receive a single treatment with either oral (Bravecto® chewable tablets, MSD Animal Health) or topical (Bravecto® Spot-on, MSD Animal Health), fluralaner at a dose of ≥ 25 mg/kg (range 25–56 mg/kg) on Day 0, or two treatments with oral sarolaner (Simparica® tablets, Zoetis) (Days 0 and 28) at ≥ 2 mg/kg (2–4 mg/kg). All dogs in each household were treated with the same product. On the enrolment day and subsequently on Days 28, 56 and 84, deep skin scrapings were taken from at least five different body areas judged to be most likely to have active mite infestation. At each visit, the dog’s mange-associated skin lesions were recorded, and pruritus level was assessed. Results There were 98 participating households and 135 dogs enrolled across Albania, France, Italy and Portugal. On Day 28, more than 90% of dogs in each group were negative for mites. On Days 56 and 84, all study dogs were free of mites and most dermatological signs of sarcoptic mange had resolved. There were no treatment-related adverse events in any group. Conclusions A single treatment of client-owned, sarcoptic mange-affected dogs with either fluralaner chewable tablets or fluralaner spot-on formulation proved a safe and effective treatment of infestations with S. scabiei var. canis, maintained through 84 days (12 weeks) after treatment.

Recent advances in understanding and treating scabies

“…It is notable that domestic animal (primarily cat and dog) treatments for S. scabiei infection (termed “mange” in animals) have in recent years moved from ivermectin and moxidectin to fluralaner 60 , 61 . This is owing to the documented safety, efficacy, and greater duration of protection conferred by fluralaner to the host 62 .…”

Sarcoptes Infestation. What Is Already Known, and What Is New about Scabies at the Beginning of the Third Decade of the 21st Century?

“…In this context, studies have proven the effectiveness of orally and topically applied fluralaner treatment. Fluralaner is a novel treatment option for canine sarcoptic mange, which can be administered as a single dose and is safe and effective and results are maintained for twelve weeks after treatment [ 91 ].…”

Zoonotic Episodes of Scabies: A Global Overview

“…The identification and successful etiological treatment of animal source(s) is crucial not only to establish a correct diagnosis but also to avoid potentially unsafe over-treatment in patients with recurrent symptoms. Effective treatment protocols against sarcoptic mange are available in several domestic and wildlife species, including the new drug class of isoxazolines (e.g., fluranaler, afoxolaner) [78][79][80], although the treatment may be challenging in animal patients with generalized crusted mange [49,81] and in susceptible free-ranging wildlife [82,83].…”