Abstract
BackgroundA retrospective study of rabbits treated against cheyletiellosis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selamectin or ivermectin in clinical practice.MethodsMedical records from 53 rabbits with microscopically confirmed Cheyletiella infestation were collected from two small animal clinics. The rabbits were divided into three groups, based on treatment protocols. Group 1 included 11 rabbits treated with ivermectin injections at 200–476 μg kg-1 subcutaneously 2–3 times, with a mean interval of 11 days. In Group 2, 27 rabbits were treated with a combination of subcutaneous ivermectin injections (range 618–2185 μgkg-1) and oral ivermectin (range 616–2732 μgkg-1) administered by the owners, 3–6 times at 10 days interval. The last group (Group 3) included 15 rabbits treated with selamectin spot-on applications of 6.2–20,0 mgkg-1, 1–3 times with an interval of 2–4 weeks. Follow-up time was 4 months–4.5 years.ResultsRabbits in remission were 9/11 (81,8%), 14/27 (51,9%) and 12/15 (80,8%) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively.ConclusionAll treatment protocols seemed to be sufficiently effective and safe for practice use. Though very high doses were used in Group 2 (ivermectin injections followed by oral administration), the protocol seemed less efficacious compared to ivermectin injections (Group 1) and selamectin spot on (Group 3), respectively, although not statistically significant. Controlled prospective studies including larger groups are needed to further evaluate efficacy of the treatment protocols.
Highlights
A retrospective study of rabbits treated against cheyletiellosis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selamectin or ivermectin in clinical practice
Group 1: Ivermectin injections Nine rabbits out of 11 were classified as in remission at follow-up, whereas one was graded as treatment failure and one was recorded as relapse
One rabbit had its cage cleaned mechanically, one cage was cleaned with fipronil spray (2.5 mgml-1) (Frontline vet, Merial) and one with Dermocan-shampoo
Summary
A retrospective study of rabbits treated against cheyletiellosis was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selamectin or ivermectin in clinical practice. Parasite infestation with Cheyletiella species is reported worldwide. The condition is highly contagious, with three species, C. parasitivorax, C. blakei and C. yasguri normally infesting rabbits, cats and dogs respectively [1,2,3]. Cheyletiella mites belong to the order prostigmata and the family Cheyletiellidae. Adult mites have four pairs of legs with distal combs instead of claws. The mouthpart (palpi) has a pair of curved claws characteristic of the mite Cheyletiella. The three species can be separated morphologically only by the shape of a sensory organ in genu 1 on the first pair of legs. Adult Cheyletiella mites can survive a month (page number not for citation purposes)
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