Clinical efficacy of orally administered fluralaner for treatment of scabies in six free-ranging raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides).

BACKGROUND: Sarcoptic mange in free-ranging raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) caused by Sarcoptes scabiei is a widespread zoonotic disease that causes severe skin lesions with significant morbidity and mortality. Fluralaner is a member of the isoxazoline chemical class and is an acaricide and insecticide widely used in flea, tick and mite infections of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of orally administered fluralaner in free-ranging raccoon dogs naturally infected with sarcoptic mange.

ANIMALS: Six raccoon dogs rescued at the Seoul Wildlife Center between November 2017 and April 2018.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Raccoon dogs were treated with a single dose of a chewable fluralaner tablet. Clinical lesion scoring and superficial skin scraping were performed weekly for three weeks to assess treatment efficacy; the general health was assessed daily to monitor response and observe any adverse drug reactions.

RESULTS: Within seven days of treatment, a marked reduction in skin lesions was observed and mites were no longer present in skin scrapings. There was no evidence of re-infestation and no additional drug administration was required.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Although this was a nonrandomized, uncontrolled study of a small number of animals, it demonstrated that fluralaner may be suitable for treating sarcoptic mange in raccoon dogs.