Evaluation of a new treatment for canine scabies and demodicosis

Abstract

A total of forty‐eight dogs were utilized to titrate and evaluate the activity of a new miticide, amitraz. The treatment was applied dermally and evaluated for efficacy against experimentally induced Demodex canis and Sarcoptes scabiei infestations. Five different concentrations (2000, 1000, 500, 250, 125 p.p.m.) of the active drug, N'—(2, 4‐dimethylphenyl)N—{[(2, 4‐dimethylphenyl) imino] methyl} ‐N‐methyl‐methanimidamide, were tested. The activity of amitraz was compared to a standard treatment, placebo treatment, and no treatment. A single dermal treatment with amitraz (all concentrations) indicated activity against both D. canis and S. scabiei. The lowest concentration of active drug (125 p.p.m.) was significantly less efficacious than the four higher concentrations (250, 500, 1000, 2000 p.p.m.). At the 250 p.p.m. (or higher) level the effectiveness of this new miticide was comparable to the standard treatment. The data indicate the 250 p.p.m. concentration is the optimal level and the recommended dilution for treatment of mange mites. Drug reactions related to amitraz were not observed.

Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of the acaricide amitraz

“…is a formamidine compound used at concentrations of 0.025-0.05% for the treatment of sarcoptic and demodectic mange in dogs. (Folz et al, 1978;Farmer & Seawright, 1980;Muller, 1983;Folz, 1983;Folz et al, 1984; Kwochka et al, 1985).…”

Evaluation of a sponge‐on therapy for canine scabies

“…Each dog was examined and scraped on three different days prior to treatment and weekly thereafter. The skin was scraped and the scrapings were microscopically examined as previously reported (Folz et al, 1978). A small amount of mineral oil was applied t o the infested areas, and approximately 15 cm2 of skin was vigorously scraped with a scalpel.…”

“…Each animal was examined and scored.as previously reported (Folz et al, 1978). All dogs were evaluated prior to treatment and again at the completion of the trial (5 weeks after treatment).…”

“…Amitraz was originally developed and marketed outside the U.S.A. as an acaricide and insecticide for cattle, sheep, hogs and fruit crops (Harrison et al, 1 9 7 3 ; Palmer et al, 1971; Walters, 1 9 7 6 ; Weighton & Osborne, 1973). We initially evaluated amitraz (liquid concentrate) for activity against experimentally derived scabies (Folz et al, 1978). A single topical treatment with 250 parts per million (p.p.m.)…”

“…of active drug (or higher concentrations), applied as a sponge-on, was efficacious. Multiple treatments with the same formulation have been reported as highly efficacious for treatment of demodicosis (Folz et al, 1978(Folz et al, , 1983. The objective of the study reported herein was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the miticide as a treatment for naturally acquired canine scabies.…”