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Abstract Six rabbits naturally infested with Psoroptes cuniculi were treated topically on the skin at the base of
the neck with 0.5 mg kg1 of 0.5% pour-on eprinomectin for cattle, twice at 14-day intervals. Efficacy of the drug
was based on the disappearance of clinical signs and the absence of live mites for a period of 6 weeks. Clinical
improvement was seen within 3 days of the first application; however, complete recovery of clinical signs and
elimination of mites in 5/6 rabbits did not occur until the end of the study. No adverse reactions attributable to
eprinomectin treatment were observed during the observation period. Results of this trial indicated that
eprinomectin was partially effective in the treatment of psoroptic mange in rabbits.
demodectic mange. To the best of the authors knowledge, no publications are available on the efficacy of
topical administration of eprinomectin in rabbits with
ear mite infestations. When large numbers of animals
are involved the topical formulation of eprinomectin
may be a convenient and economical alternative. The
purpose of the study reported here was therefore to
evaluate the efficacy of topical eprinomectin administration at the standard cattle dose rate of 0.5 mg kg1 in
rabbits naturally infested with P. cuniculi.
Six New Zealand White rabbits of both sexes (two
females and four males) from the laboratory animal
unit, Adnan Menderes University, Turkey, were presented because of severe pruritus, and clinical findings
including light brown, thick, crustly, foul smelling
exudate within the external ear canal and pinnae
(Fig. 1a,b). Rabbits were between 2 and 4 years of age
and weighed between 3 and 3.6 kg. Clinical examination was consistent with psoroptic mange. Psoroptes
cuniculi infestation was confirmed by direct observation
of viable mites in all animals with the aid of an otoscope
and by microscopic examination of scab materials
from the ears under low power magnification (4).
On the day of presentation, all rabbits received a
physical examination. The severity of infestation in
each ear was scored semiquantitatively. Briefly, small
skin lesions, only identifiable with an otoscope, were
recorded with one cross; skin lesions involving 1/4 of
the auricle with two crosses; skin lesions involving 1/3
1/2 of the auricle with three crosses; and a completely
occluded auricle with crusts and puss with four crosses.
Rabbits were then hospitalized in separate cages differ 2005 European Society of Veterinary Dermatology
335
Figure 1. Clinical aspects of the rabbit severely infested with Psoroptes cuniculi before and after eprinomectin treatment (rabbit no: 2). (a)
Clinical view of the ears before eprinomectin treatment. (b) Crust formation on the auricle. (c) Clinical view of the ears 14 days after the first
eprinomectin treatment. (d) Clinical view of the ears at the end of the study.
336
B. Ulutas et al.
2005 European Society of Veterinary Dermatology, Veterinary Dermatology, 16, 334 337
337
REFERENCES
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4. Shoop W, Soll M. Ivermectin, abamectin and eprinomectin. In: Vercruysse J, Rew RS eds. Macrocyclic Lactones and
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5. Wilkins CA, Conroy JA, Oishanney WJ et al. Treatment
of psoroptic mange with avermectins. American Journal
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naturally infested rabbits. American Journal of Veterinary Research 1992; 53: 1059.
7. Bansod KV, Kolte SW, Maske DK et al. Treatment of
psoroptic mange in rabbits with doramectin. Indian
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8. Wright FC, Riner JC. Comparative efficacy of injection
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9. McTier TL, Hair JA, Walstrom DJ et al. Efficacy and safety
of topical administration of selamectin for treatment of
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Rsum Six lapins infests naturellement par Psoroptes cuniculi ont t traits par voie locale par lapplication
sur la peau du cou de 0.5 mg kg1 dun pour-on deprinomectine pour bovins, deux fois 14 jours dintervalle.
Lefficacit du traitement a t value par la disparition des signes cliniques et labsence dacariens vivant pour
une priode de 6 semaines. Une amlioration clinique a t observe 3 jours aprs la premire application.
Cependant une gurison clinique et la disparition des acariens na pas t possible chez 5/6 lapins. Aucune raction
secondaire na t observe. Les rsultats de cette tude indiquent que lprinomectine est partiellement efficace
pour traiter la gale psoroptique du lapin.
Resumen Seis conejos infestados de forma natural con Psoroptes cuniculi fueron tratados mediante aplicacin
tpica en la piel de la base del cuello con 0.5 mg/kg de 0.5% eprinomectina de uso externo para ganado, dos veces
a 14 das de intervalo. La eficacia del tratamiento se bas en la desaparicin de signos clnicos y en la ausencia
de caros vivos durante un perodo de seis semanas. Observamos una mejora en los signos clnicos a los tres das
tras la aplicacin inicial; sin embargo una recuperacin total y la eliminacin de los caros en 5 de los 6 conejos
no fueron posibles hasta el final del estudio. No encontramos reacciones adversas atribuidas al tratamiento con
eprinomectina durante el perodo de observacin. Los resultados de esta prueba indican que la eprinomectina
fue parcialmente efectiva en el tratamiento de sarna sorptica en conejos.
Zusammenfassung Sechs Kaninchen mit natrlichem Psoroptes cuniculi Befall wurden zwei Mal in einem
Abstand von 14 Tagen topisch auf der Haut des Nackens mit 0.5 mg kg1 Pour-on Eprinomectin fr Rinder
behandelt. Die Beurteilung der Wirksamkeit des Arzneimittels basierte auf dem Verschwinden von klinischen
Symptomen and der Abwesenheit von lebenden Milben ber einen Zeitraum von sechs Wochen. Eine klinische
Verbesserung wurde innerhalb von drei Tagen nach der ersten Applikation gesehen; eine gnzliche Verbesserung
der klinischen Symptome und eine Elimination der Milben war allerdings bei 5 der 6 Kaninchen bis zum Ende
der Studie nicht mglich. Whrend der Studiendauer wurden keine auf Eprinomectin zurckzufhrenden
Nebenwirkungen beobachtet. Die Ergebnisse dieses Versuchs wiesen darauf hin, dass Eprinomectin teilweise
effektiv war zur Behandlung der Psoroptesrude beim Kaninchen.
2005 European Society of Veterinary Dermatology, Veterinary Dermatology, 16, 334337