Risk factors associated with cat parasites in a feline medical center.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was carried out to evaluate the risk factors for and presence of intestinal parasites in cats at the feline hospital 'CEME Gatos', Mexico City. METHODS: In total, 528 fecal samples from domestic cats were collected and analyzed in order to diagnose enteroparasites. RESULTS: The parasite with the highest prevalence was Giardia species (21.97%), followed by Cryptosporidium species (7%), Toxocara cati (6.45%), Cystoisospora species (5.11%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.76%). One hundred and twenty-one cats (55.50%) were infected with a single parasite, 80 (36.69%) were infected with two and 17 (14.04%) were infected with three parasites. The results of the prevalence study showed that a liquid consistency of feces was associated with the presence of Giardia species, whereas age <7 months and mucus in the stool were factors associated with the prevalence of Cystoisospora species. Regarding T cati, the associated risk factors were age <7 months, being male, contact with other animal species and access to the outdoors. The last factor was strongly associated with the presence of T cati (eight times more likely) in outdoor cats' feces. Brushing frequency was also an associated factor: T cati was present in cats that were never brushed. The results of the analysis of cats infected with D caninum showed that interaction with other species was a risk factor for infection. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Age <7 months, mucus in feces, living with other animal species, outdoor access and frequency of brushing are risk factors for the presence of parasites.

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).

Evaluation of the effect of afoxalaner with milbemycin 1 oxime in the treatment of rabbits naturally infected with Psoroptes cuniculi.

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi) are very popular as pets. However, problems of otitits caused by Psoroptes cuniculi are one of the main reasons to visit the veterinarian. Isoxazolines are an alternative treatment to treat this mite, and therefore, an evaluation of the effectiveness of oral afoxalaner with milbemycin oxime in rabbits infected with P. cuniculi was carried out. Nineteen rabbits, of New Zealand breed, with otitis due to an infection with P. cuniculi, were treated, whereas six rabbits were left untreated and formed the control group. The ear canals of each individual were examined, through the collection of otic exudate samples with cotton swabs. These were visualized under the microscope to identify the ectoparasite. Each animal was treated with a single oral dose of 2.50 mg / kg of afoxolaner, and 0.50 mg / kg of milbemycin oxime. Clinical signs and lesions associated with the infection, such as the presence of detritus, cerumen and / or scabs, and erythema, were evaluated. After receiving the treatment, all the lesions were classified as: mild, moderate and intense, with a visual analog scale. A week after providing medication, there was a decrease in the lesions of the group treated with Nexgard Spectra®, without further topical or systemic treatment. The decrease was gradual in the treated group and no recurrence was detected of P. cuniculi infection in both ears. Thus, the administration of a single oral dose of afoxolaner with milbemycin oxime was effective for the treatment of P. cuniculi infection in rabbits.