Evaluation of the efficacy of Simparica Trio® in the prevention of the transmission of Babesia canis by infected Dermacentor reticulatus to dogs.

BACKGROUND: Babesia canis is a clinically relevant vector-borne pathogen in dogs, and its presence is expanding. The efficacy of Simparica Trio® (Zoetis) in the prevention of B. canis transmission was evaluated at the minimum recommended label dose of 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin and 5 mg/kg pyrantel per kg bodyweight. METHODS: Twenty-four (24) dogs were randomly allocated to either a placebo-treated group or one of two treatment groups with Simparica Trio. Dogs were infested with B. canis-infected Dermacentor reticulatus ticks 21 or 28 days after treatment administration. Blood samples for antibody and DNA detection were collected from each dog prior to tick infestation until 28 days after infestation. A dog was defined as being B. canis positive if it tested positive by both an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and PCR at any time during the study. RESULTS: No treatment-related adverse reactions were recorded during the study. All placebo-treated animals displayed clinical signs due to babesiosis and tested positive on both IFA and PCR. None of the Simparica Trio-treated animals displayed any clinical symptoms or tested positive, resulting in a 100% efficacy in the prevention of canine babesiosis (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A single treatment with Simparica Trio at the minimum recommended label dose of 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin and 5 mg/kg pyrantel per kg bodyweight prevents the transmission of B. canis by infected D. reticulatus to dogs for at least 28 days.

Efficacy of a chewable tablet containing sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel (Simparica Trio®) in the treatment of sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mite infestations in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei in dogs is a debilitating disease if left untreated and is transmissible to humans. Two field studies were conducted to confirm the efficacy of orally administered sarolaner in combination with moxidectin and pyrantel (Simparica Trio®) in the treatment of sarcoptic mange in dogs. METHODS: Client-owned dogs with S. scabiei infestation were enrolled and received 2 monthly treatments. In the first, small-scale study, 12 dogs each were allocated randomly to treatment with either placebo or Simparica Trio®. Skin scrapings to detect live mites and assessment of clinical signs of sarcoptic mange were conducted on Days 0, 14, 30, 44, and 60. Efficacy was calculated based on the percent reduction in arithmetic mean live mite counts relative to placebo. In the second, large-scale study, 75 dogs were allocated randomly to treatment with Simparica Trio® and 37 to treatment with afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime (NexGard Spectra®). Skin scrapings to detect live mites and assessment of clinical signs of sarcoptic mange were conducted on Days 0, 14, 30, and 60. The parasitological cure rate (percentage of dogs without live mites) was determined and non-inferiority of Simparica Trio® to the control product was assessed. RESULTS: In the small-scale study, 2 monthly doses of Simparica Trio® resulted in a significant reduction (P ≤ 0.0050) in live S. scabiei mite numbers and provided a 99.2% reduction relative to placebo by Day 60. Clinical signs of sarcoptic mange improved throughout the study in Simparica Trio®-treated dogs. In the large-scale study, the parasitological cure rate on Days 30 and 60 was 97.3% and 100% in the Simparica Trio® group and 91.9% and 100% in the afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime group, respectively. The parasitological cure rate for Simparica Trio® was non-inferior to afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime at both time points. Clinical signs of sarcoptic mange improved throughout the study in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Two-monthly doses of Simparica Trio® reduced S. scabiei mite counts by 99.2% relative to placebo in one study and eliminated S. scabiei mites in 100% of dogs in the second study, thus confirming that Simparica Trio® is highly effective in the treatment of sarcoptic mange in dogs caused by S. scabiei var. canis.