title: Efficacy of orally administered fluralaner (Bravecto™) or topically applied imidacloprid/moxidectin (Advocate®) against generalized demodicosis in dogs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This laboratory study compared the efficacy of Bravecto™ (fluralaner), formulated as a chewable tablet, with the efficacy of Advocate® (imidacloprid/moxidectin), formulated for topical administration, against naturally acquired generalized demodicosis in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen dogs, all diagnosed with generalized demodectic mange, were randomly allocated to two equal groups. Bravecto™ chewable tablets were administered once orally at a minimum dose of 25 mg fluralaner/kg body weight to one group of dogs, while the second group was treated topically on three occasions at 28-day intervals with Advocate® at a minimum dose of 10 mg imidacloprid/kg body weight and 2.5 mg moxidectin/kg body weight. Mites were counted in skin scrapings and demodectic lesions were evaluated on each dog before treatment and at 28-day intervals thereafter over a 12 week study period. Deep skin scrapings (~4 cm(2)) were made from the same five sites on each dog at each subsequent examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After single oral administration of Bravecto™ chewable tablets, mite numbers in skin scrapings were reduced by 99.8% on Day 28 and by 100% on Days 56 and 84. Mite numbers in the dogs treated topically on three occasions at 28-day intervals with Advocate® were reduced by 98.0% on Day 28, by 96.5% on Day 56 and by 94.7% on Day 84. Statistically significantly (P ≤ 0.05) fewer mites were found on Days 56 and 84 on the Bravecto™ treated dogs compared to Advocate® treated dogs. A marked decrease was observed in the occurrence of erythematous patches, crusts, casts and scales in the dogs treated with Bravecto™ and in the occurrence of erythematous patches in the dogs treated with Advocate®. With the exception of one dog in each treated group, all dogs exhibited hair regrowth ≥ 90% at the end of the study in comparison with their hair-coat at study start.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single oral administration of Bravecto™ chewable tablets is highly effective against generalized demodicosis, with no mites detectable at 56 and 84 days following treatment. In comparison, Advocate®, administered three times at 28-day intervals, is also highly effective against generalized demodicosis, but most dogs still harboured mites at all assessment time points. Both treatments resulted in a marked reduction of skin lesions and increase of hair re-growth 12 weeks after the initial treatment.
authors.affiliation: ClinVet International, Uitsigweg, Bainsvlei, 9338, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa. josephus.fourie@clinvet.com.
authors.forename: Josephus J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fourie
authors.affiliation: ClinVet International, Uitsigweg, Bainsvlei, 9338, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa. julian.liebenberg@clinvet.com.
authors.forename: Julian E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Liebenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, Pretoria, South Africa. ivan.horak@up.ac.za.
authors.forename: Ivan G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Horak
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Zur Propstei, 55270, Schwabenheim, Germany. janina.taenzler@msd.de.
authors.forename: Janina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taenzler
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Zur Propstei, 55270, Schwabenheim, Germany. anja.heckeroth@msd.de.
authors.forename: Anja R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Heckeroth
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health Innovation SAS, 49071, Beaucouzé Cedex, France. regis.frenais@merck.com.
authors.forename: Regis
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frénais
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018942:Macrolides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: C000591860:A1443 compound; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007093:Imidazoles; D007306:Insecticides; D007555:Isoxazoles; D018942:Macrolides; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; C082359:imidacloprid; C027837:moxidectin