Abstract
BackgroundThe efficacy of the fixed combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin for the treatment of Otodectes cynotis infestations was evaluated in cats after topical application.MethodsSixteen cats experimentally infested with O. cynotis were allocated randomly to two groups of 8 cats each. One group was treated topically with the fixed combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin at the minimum dose rate of 40 mg fluralaner and 2 mg moxidectin/kg body weight. The other group was treated with physiological saline solution. Before and 14 and 28 days after treatment the ears of all cats were examined otoscopically for live mites and for the amount of debris and cerumen. Twenty-eight days after treatment, the cats were sedated and had both ears flushed to obtain the total number of live mites per animal. Efficacy was calculated, based on the results of the ear flushing, by comparing mean live mite counts in the fluralaner plus moxidectin treated group versus the saline group.ResultsA single topical application of the fixed combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin to cats reduced the mean mite counts by 100% (P < 0.001) by 28 days after treatment. No mites were visible during otoscopic examination at either 14 or 28 days after treatment. All fluralaner plus moxidectin treated cats had less ceruminous exudate 28 days after treatment compared to pre-treatment and 14 days after treatment. No treatment related adverse events were observed in any cats enrolled in the study.ConclusionsSingle topical application of the fixed combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin was highly effective against O. cynotis infestations in cats.
Highlights
The efficacy of the fixed combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin for the treatment of Otodectes cynotis infestations was evaluated in cats after topical application
The treatment was well tolerated and no adverse events related to the topical application of the fixed combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin were observed in any of the cats
After ear flushing 28 days after treatment, no mites were observed in either ear of any of the cats treated with fluralaner plus moxidectin, whereas a mean of 595.1 live mites was recorded in the control cats
Summary
The efficacy of the fixed combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin for the treatment of Otodectes cynotis infestations was evaluated in cats after topical application. Mainly spot-on formulations of macrocyclic lactones for topical application containing the milbemycin moxidectin or the avermectin selamectin, are available for cats. These formulations provide an attractive alternative to the application of the avermectin ivermectin directly into the external ear canal (aural or Taenzler et al Parasites & Vectors (2018) 11:595 ototopical treatment) because of the ease of application and monthly dosing regimen [6, 7]. The efficacy of fluralaner as a single agent, with a 3 months re-treatment interval, against Demodex, Sarcoptes and Otodectes mites in dogs [10,11,12] and Otodectes mites in cats [12] has been reported previously
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