FC‐44 The therapeutic effect of selamectin and ivermectin regimens in canine sarcoptic mange

Abstract

Sarcoptic mange is a contagious, parasitic and pruritic skin disease of the dog caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis mite. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of ivermectin and selamectin in dogs with sarcoptic mange. The study included 120 naturally infested dogs. Several skin scrapings were collected from each dog. Microscopic evidence of at least one adult mite or its eggs was considered to be diagnostic (inclusion criteria). The dogs were divided into two groups of 60 animals each. Group A dogs were given injectable ivermectin (Ivomec®) at 300 μg/kg subcutaneously every 15 days for three treatments; Group B dogs were treated with selamectin spot‐on (Stronghold®) at 6–12 mg/kg twice monthly. Clinical evaluation was conducted on days 15, 30 and 45, and parasitologic evaluation by skin scrapings on days 30 and 45. On day 30, all dogs in Group B had negative skin scrapings (100%) with no evidence of cutaneous lesions. Only 58 of 60 dogs in Group A had negative skin scrapings (96%), but the two positive dogs became negative on day 45. These results provide preliminary evidence that there is no significant difference between the therapeutic effects of ivermectin and selamectin in the management of sarcoptic mange, with both treatments being highly efficacious. Funding: Self‐funded.