Fluralaner 5.46% (w/w) flavored chewable tablet (Bravecto® 1-Month) is effective for treatment of canine generalized demodicosis

Abstract

Abstract Background Orally administered fluralaner (13.64% w/w) is effective for treating canine generalized demodicosis. A study was initiated to assess the efficacy of a novel 5.46% w/w fluralaner chewable tablet formulation for monthly administration in the treatment of this disease. Methods Client-owned dogs diagnosed with generalized demodicosis were acclimatized to laboratory conditions and randomized to receive either orally administered fluralaner (Bravecto® 1-Month) (10.0 to 14.4 mg/kg body weight) (n = 8) or topical imidacloprid-moxidectin (Advocate® for dogs, Elanco) applied per label on days 0, 28, and 56 (n = 8), or more frequently for ongoing severe demodicosis. On days −2, 28, 56, and 84, deep skin scrapings were taken from five sites on each dog for mite identification and counting, and semiquantitative clinical assessments of generalized demodicosis were recorded. Primary efficacy was based upon arithmetic mean mite count reductions relative to pre-treatment. Results By day 28, mean pre-treatment mite counts, > 600 in both groups, were significantly reduced by 99.7% and 89.5% (both P 90% hair regrowth on day 84. Conclusion Three consecutive monthly orally administered treatments with fluralaner (5.46% w/w) flavored chewable tablets (minimum dose rate 10 mg/kg body weight) eliminated Demodex canis mites from dogs diagnosed with generalized demodicosis. Graphical Abstract

Keywords

• Bravecto®
• Canine
• Demodex
• Generalized demodicosis
• Imidacloprid-moxidectin
• Fluralaner