Efficacy and safety of topical administration of selamectin for treatment of ear mite infestation in rabbits.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical administration of selamectin in rabbits naturally infested with Psoroptes cuniculi.

DESIGN:

Randomized controlled trial.

ANIMALS:

48 mixed-breed domestic rabbits with active P. cuniculi mite populations and clinical ear lesions.

PROCEDURES:

Rabbits were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatment groups. On day 0, rabbits in groups 1 and 2 were given vehicle, rabbits in groups 3 and 4 were given selamectin at a dose of 6 mg/kg (2.7 mg/lb), and rabbits in groups 5 and 6 were given selamectin at a dose of 18 mg/kg (8.2 mg/lb). On day 28, rabbits in groups 2, 4, and 6 were given a second dose of vehicle or selamectin. Otoscopic examinations were performed and ear lesion size was measured weekly for 8 weeks. Quantitative viable mite counts were performed on day 56.

RESULTS:

On days 7 through 56, lesion sizes for all selamectin-treated groups were significantly lower than sizes for control groups; there were no significant differences in lesion sizes among selamectin-treated groups. All rabbits in the 2 control groups had viable adult P. cuniculi mites for the duration of the study, as determined by otoscopic examination, whereas all rabbits in the 4 selamectin-treated groups were free from P. cuniculi mites on days 7 through 56. No adverse reactions associated with selamectin treatment were observed.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Results suggest that topical application of selamectin at a dose of 6 or 18 mg/kg can completely eliminate mites from rabbits naturally infested with P. cuniculi.

• Authors: Tom L McTier, J Alexander Hair, Douglas J Walstrom, Leland Thompson
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 223 Issue 3 Pg. 322-4 (Aug 01 2003) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12906226 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antiparasitic Agents
• Ivermectin
• selamectin

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Animals
• Antiparasitic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Ear, External (parasitology, pathology)
• Female
• Ivermectin (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Mite Infestations (drug therapy, veterinary)
• Rabbits (parasitology)
• Random Allocation
• Treatment Outcome