title: Efficacy and safety of topical administration of selamectin for treatment of ear mite infestation in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical administration of selamectin in rabbits naturally infested with Psoroptes cuniculi.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  48 mixed-breed domestic rabbits with active P. cuniculi mite populations and clinical ear lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rabbits were randomly allocated to 1 of 6 treatment groups. On day 0, rabbits in groups 1 and 2 were given vehicle, rabbits in groups 3 and 4 were given selamectin at a dose of 6 mg/kg (2.7 mg/lb), and rabbits in groups 5 and 6 were given selamectin at a dose of 18 mg/kg (8.2 mg/lb). On day 28, rabbits in groups 2, 4, and 6 were given a second dose of vehicle or selamectin. Otoscopic examinations were performed and ear lesion size was measured weekly for 8 weeks. Quantitative viable mite counts were performed on day 56.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On days 7 through 56, lesion sizes for all selamectin-treated groups were significantly lower than sizes for control groups; there were no significant differences in lesion sizes among selamectin-treated groups. All rabbits in the 2 control groups had viable adult P. cuniculi mites for the duration of the study, as determined by otoscopic examination, whereas all rabbits in the 4 selamectin-treated groups were free from P. cuniculi mites on days 7 through 56. No adverse reactions associated with selamectin treatment were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that topical application of selamectin at a dose of 6 or 18 mg/kg can completely eliminate mites from rabbits naturally infested with P. cuniculi.
authors.affiliation: Pfizer Animal Health, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Groton, CT 30604, USA.
authors.forename: Tom L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: McTier
authors.forename: J Alexander
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hair
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Walstrom
authors.forename: Leland
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004431:Ear, External / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011817:Rabbits / Q000469:parasitology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D007559:Ivermectin; C414354:selamectin