Abstract
BackgroundIn three randomized, controlled laboratory efficacy studies, the efficacy in the prevention of patent infections of a topical combination of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% (Advocate® spot-on formulation for cats, Bayer Animal Health GmbH) against larval stages and immature adults of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, as well as the treatment efficacy of a single or three monthly treatments against adult A. abstrusus, were evaluated.MethodsCats were experimentally inoculated with 300–800 third-stage larvae (L3). Each group comprised 8 animals and the treatment dose was 10 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) imidacloprid and 1 mg/kg bw moxidectin in each study. Prevention of the establishment of patent infections was evaluated by two treatments at a monthly interval at three different time points before and after challenge infection. Curative efficacy was tested by one or three treatments after the onset of patency. Worm counts at necropsy were used for efficacy calculations.ResultsIn Study 1, the control group had a geometric mean (GM) of 28.8 adult nematodes and the single treatment group had a GM of 3.4 (efficacy 88.3%). In Study 2, the control group had a GM of 14.3, the prevention group had a GM of 0 (efficacy 100%), while the treatment group had a GM of 0.1 (efficacy 99.4%). In Study 3, the GM worm burden in the control group was 32.6 compared to 0 in all three prevention groups (efficacy 100% for all of those groups).ConclusionsThe monthly administration of Advocate® reliably eliminated early larval stages and thereby prevented lung damage from and patent infections with A. abstrusus in cats. Regarding treatment, a single application of Advocate® reduced the worm burden, but it did not sufficiently clear the infection. In contrast, three monthly treatments were safe and highly efficacious against A. abstrusus.
Highlights
In three randomized, controlled laboratory efficacy studies, the efficacy in the prevention of patent infections of a topical combination of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% (Advocate® spot-on formulation for cats, Bayer Animal Health GmbH) against larval stages and immature adults of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, as well as the treatment efficacy of a single or three monthly treatments against adult A. abstrusus, were evaluated
Concerning bronchoscopy findings, bronchiectasis and mucus accumulation were found in cats infected with A. abstrusus [20]
Fecal examinations Fecal examinations demonstrated L1 shedding in all cats in the untreated control groups and in the treatment group of Study 2 between Study Day (SD) 40 and SD 50, confirming patency and successful experimental A. abstrusus infections
Summary
In three randomized, controlled laboratory efficacy studies, the efficacy in the prevention of patent infections of a topical combination of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% (Advocate® spot-on formulation for cats, Bayer Animal Health GmbH) against larval stages and immature adults of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, as well as the treatment efficacy of a single or three monthly treatments against adult A. abstrusus, were evaluated. Parasitic respiratory diseases are of increasing importance in feline clinical practice [1]. The number of reports of feline lungworm infections has. The parasite may infect domestic cats and occasionally wild felids, e.g. European wildcats or lions [2, 8, 9]. Infections can range from subclinical or severe to fatal. Concerning bronchoscopy findings, bronchiectasis and mucus accumulation were found in cats infected with A. abstrusus [20]. Cardiac presentations, such as right-sided cardiomegaly, heart murmurs and pulmonary hypertension, have been described in kittens [21]. Severe cardiopulmonary disease or fatalities can be the result of a late diagnosis and treatment of aelurostrongylosis [1]
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