Conference Paper

Treatment of Canine Sarcoptic Mange with Fipronil Spray: A Field Trial

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Abstract

Twelve dogs naturally infested with S. scabiei were used to assess the clinical efficacy of fipronil against canine sarcoptic mange. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, skin scrapings and/or serology. All the dogs were treated with a 0.25% fipronil spray, once weekly, for four consecutive weeks, using a total of 12 to 39 mL/kg of spray. Pruritus and skin lesions disappeared, respectively, seven to 66 days and 14-71 days after the beginning of the treatment. No relapses occurred during the three to four-month follow-up period. Three dogs were kept under observation for a further eight to 12-month period with no relapses witnessed. Of the nine dogs that had been seropositive at the beginning of the study, only two out of six were found to be seronegative when retested three to four months after the end of the treatment.

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... Given that a definitive diagnosis (positive skin scrapings or fecal flotations) of canine scabies is achieved in a minority of cases, response to a reliable miticide is the only way to confirm a tentative diagnosis (presumed scabies) 1,6,9,11,12,16,17,24,32,34) . Products reported to be effective for the treatment of canine scabies include 2 to 3 % lime sulfur dips 1,6,9,16,17,24,32,34) , 0.09% phosmet dips 6,9,21) , 4% malathion dips 1,34) , 250 to 500 ppm amitraz dips 6,9,11,12,16,17,27,34,42) , deltamethrin spray 36) , fipronil spray 6,8,9,16,22,23,34) , ivermectin pour-on 28) , moxidectin spot-on [13][14][15] , amitraz spot-on 14) , pyriprole spot-on 15) , selamectin spot-on 9,16,24,29,34,35) , moxidectin o r a l l y o r s u b c u t a n e o u s l y 4 1 ) , d o r a m e c t i n subcutaneously 19) , milbemycin orally 5,9,10,16,24,34,37) , and ivermectin orally or subcutaneously 6,9,16,17,20,24,[30][31][32]34) . ...
... This situation is not unique to selamectin. Some authors also cite the need to apply amitraz spot-on 14) and fipronil 8,9,16,22,24) more often than label recommendations for more consistent benefit. Ivermectin-resistant scabies has rarely been reported in dogs 40) and humans 7) . ...
... This prolonged pruritus and dermatitis is presumed to be due to the ongoing allergic reaction to mite antigen(s). Hence, treatment is typically continued until pruritus and all active skin lesions have disappeared (4 to 12 weeks) 1,5,6,9,17,22,32,37,41) . ...
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