Furuncular myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis in five cats and efficacy of topical fluralaner for its treatment.

BACKGROUND: Dermatobia hominis (D. hominis) is a botfly that causes furuncular myiasis in several species of domestic and wild animals. However, reports of feline infestation by larvae of this dipteran are rare. OBJECTIVE: To report the natural occurrence of furuncular myiasis caused by D. hominis in five cats and the efficacy of topical fluralaner for its treatment. ANIMALS: Five adult mixed-breed cats (four males, one female) were diagnosed and treated, all living in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RESULTS: The cats were treated with topical fluralaner. After this treatment, the larvae were dead after 24 h in three cats and after 48 h in two. There was spontaneous expulsion of larvae in two cats, and it was necessary to perform manual expression for removal of dead larvae in the other three cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dermatobia hominis can cause furuncular myiasis in cats, although this appears to be less common than in other animal species. Topical fluralaner proved to be effective in the treatment of this parasitic disease.

Efficacy of Oral Sarolaner for the Treatment of Feline Otodectic Mange.

Otodectes cynotis is a mite with a cosmopolitan distribution that is the primary agent for the development of otitis externa in feline species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the oral administration of sarolaner for the treatment of feline otodectic mange. We used 20 adult cats of both sexes that were naturally infested with O. cynotis. The mite infestation scoring was performed by video-otoscopy before treatment. The cats were randomized according to the infestation score and divided into two groups (treated and control). The treated group underwent oral administration of sarolaner in a single dose of 2-4 mg/kg. The evaluations were performed by video-otoscopy to evaluate the reduction of infestation score 2, 4, 6, 24 and 48 h and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after medication. At the end of the study, the cats were sedated to enable the recovery of live and dead mites to determine efficacy. No adverse effects or laboratory changes were observed in these cats. Sarolaner showed 100% efficacy 48 h after treatment. Based on the results, a single oral dose of sarolaner was effective in controlling otodectic mange in naturally infested cats.