An open-label clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of an elemental diet for the diagnosis of adverse food reactions in dogs.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFR) in dogs is dependent on a diet trial and provocative challenge. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of an elemental diet for the diagnosis of CAFR in dogs. ANIMALS: Sixty-two client-owned nonseasonally pruritic dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, uncontrolled, observational elimination diet trial study. Dogs were fed a commercially available elemental canine diet (Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental Canine Formula, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company) for up to eight weeks. Pruritus was assessed using a validated Visual Analog Scale (PVAS), lesions with the Canine Atopic Dermatitis and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04) and gastrointestinal (GI) signs with a client questionnaire. All dogs were challenged with their previous diet for up to 14 days. Treats were added from Day (D)7 to D14. RESULTS: Forty-five dogs completed the study. Eighteen (40%) of these were diagnosed with CAFR and 27 (60%) were diet-nonresponsive (NR). Dogs with CAFR flared on provocative challenges within 14 days. The smallest volume of previous diet that induced a CAFR flare was one teaspoon in two dogs (11.1%). The mean number of days leading to a provocation of clinical signs was 4.88 days. Gastrointestinal signs improved in both groups. Eight of the dogs with CAFR (44.4%) were subsequently maintained on the elemental diet alone. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL Elemental Canine Formula is efficacious for the diagnosis of canine CAFR. One teaspoon of the offending diet may induce clinical signs in some dogs with CAFR.

Efficacy of afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime and afoxolaner alone as treatment for sarcoptic mange in naturally infested dogs.

Sarcoptic mange is a pruritic, contagious, ectoparasitic skin disease that affects mammals, including the domestic dog. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime (NexGard Spectra) and afoxolaner alone (NexGard) as treatments for sarcoptic mange in naturally infested dogs. A total of 142 dogs naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei was evaluated. The dogs were diagnosed by microscopic examinations of skin scrapings. The dogs were divided into 2 groups: 96 dogs were treated with a combined dosage of 2.50 to 5.36 mg/kg body weight (BW) of afoxolaner and 0.50 to 1.07 mg/kg BW of milbemycin oxime and 46 dogs were treated with 2.50 mg/kg BW of afoxolaner alone. The presence or absence of pruritus and lesions were evaluated using an analogous scale on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 56 after receiving the treatment. Data obtained were analyzed by Student's t-test (P ≤ 0.05). The single oral treatment of afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime resulted in a significant reduction in pruritus of 87.4% at 28 d after treatment (P ≤ 0.05). Resolution of the lesions after treatment was variable, with a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) observed within the first 14 d, although this parameter continued to improve until the end of the study on day 28, when a decrease of 96% was observed. By the end of the study, a single dose of either the afoxolaner alone or the afoxolaner combined with milbemycin oxime was effective in significantly reducing the signs associated with sarcoptic mange during a 56-day evaluation period.

La gale sarcoptique est une maladie cutanée pruritique et contagieuse causée par un ectoparasite qui affecte les mammifères, incluant le chien domestique. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'évaluer et de comparer l'efficacité d'afoxolaner plus oxime de milbemycine (NexGard Spectra) et l'afoxolaner seul (NexGard) comme traitement pour la gale sarcoptique chez des chiens naturellement infestés. Un total de 142 chiens naturellement infestés avec Sarcoptes scabei furent évalués. Les chiens étaient diagnostiqués par examen microscopique de grattages cutanés. Les chiens furent divisés en deux groupes : 96 chiens furent traités avec un dosage combiné de 2,50 à 5,36 mg/kg de poids corporel (BW) d'afoxolaner et de 0,50 à 1,07 mg/kg BW d'oxime de milbemycine et 46 chiens furent traités avec 2,50 mg/kg BW d'afoxolaner seul. La présence ou l'absence de prurit et de lésions furent évaluées en utilisant une échelle analogue aux jours 7, 14 21, 28 et 56 après avoir reçu le traitement. Les données obtenues furent analysées à l'aide d'un test de t de Student (P ≤ 0,05). Le traitement unique avec de l'afloxolaner plus oxime de milbemycine a résulté en une réduction significative du prurit de 87,4 % au jour 28 après le traitement (P ≤ 0,05). Une résolution des lésions après le traitement était variable, avec une diminution significative (P ≤ 0,05) étant observée au cours des 14 premiers jours, bien que ce paramètre continua de s'améliorer jusqu'à la fin de l'étude au jour 28, alors qu'une diminution de 96 % fut observée. À la fin de cette étude, une dose unique de soit de l'afoxolaner seul ou une combinaison afoxolaner-oxime de milbemycie était efficace à réduire de manière significative les signes associés avec la galle sarcoptique durant une période d'évaluation de 56 jours.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Identification of Toxocara spp. eggs in dog hair and associated risk factors.

AIM: The aim of the study was to identify the presence of eggs of Toxocaraspp. in dog hair and to identify any risk factors associated with this. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 dogs were sampled collecting hair from the head, perianal and hindquarters. Epidemiologic data from each animal were recorded to identify risk factors. The samples of hair were washed with solutions of distilled water, phosphate-buffered saline and Tween 20 detergent. Microscopic analysis was subsequently performed for the identification of eggs. RESULTS: Out of the total dogs, 41.7% were positive for the presence of parasite egg in their hair. Toxocara eggs were found in hair from the head (14.5%), tail (20.8%), and limbs (10.4%). Dogs, younger than 12 months old, showed higher values (4.7%) of egg presence in the perianal area (p<0.05). The principal risk factors for the presence of eggs in hair were not deworming (odds ratio [OR]=3.60, p<0.004) and not brushing (OR=2.26, p<0.12). CONCLUSION: These results show that in the state of Mexico there is a high percentage of dogs contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs in their hair. This should be seriously considered due to the potential problems of toxocariasis and the risk to public health.

Use of oral fluralaner for the treatment of Psoroptes cuniculi in 15 naturally infested rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Psoroptes cuniculi, a nonburrowing ear mite, is a common ectoparasite of rabbits. Constant irritation of the auditory canal by the presence of this mite can lead to otitis externa or otoacariasis. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluralaner on rabbits naturally infested with P. cuniculi and exhibiting clinical signs. ANIMALS: Fifteen female New Zealand domestic rabbits with otitis due to naturally occurring infestation with P. cuniculi. METHODS: The external ears and ear canals of each individual were examined; samples of otic exudate were extracted with cotton swabs and examined microscopically for identification of the ectoparasite. Each animal was treated with a single 25 mg/kg oral dose of fluralaner. The amount of otic exudate/cerumen was assessed and samples were obtained from the ears to evaluate for presence or absence of mites at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 40 and 90 days after receiving treatment. RESULTS: Post-treatment, the amount of otic exudate decreased rapidly in all animals; by Day 12 and until the end of the study all rabbits were judged to have low amount of exudate with normally visible canals. The percentage of ears positive for P. cuniculi decreased to 13.3% of ears sampled by Day 4, and by Day 12 all rabbits were negative for the parasite. CONCLUSION: Administration of a single oral dose of fluralaner was effective for the treatment of naturally occurring P. cuniculi infestation in rabbits during a 90 day period.