Effective treatment with afoxolaner (NexGard) of Trixacarus caviae in a pet guinea pig

• Published in: Veterinary medicine and science Vol. 10; no. 5; pp. e70039 - n/a
• Main Authors: Deak, Georgiana, Matei, Miruna‐Maria, Doboși, Anca‐Alexandra, Ursache, Aura Livia, Negoescu, Andrada, Taulescu, Marian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.09.2024; Wiley
• Subjects: Acaricides - administration & dosage; Acaricides - therapeutic use; afoxolaner; Alopecia; Animal diseases; Animals; Arthropods; Baldness; Female; guinea pig; Guinea Pigs; Isoxazoles; isoxazolines; Ivermectin; Lactones; Mite Infestations - drug therapy; Mite Infestations - parasitology; Mite Infestations - veterinary; Naphthalenes - administration & dosage; Naphthalenes - therapeutic use; Pets; Pruritus; Pyrimidines - administration & dosage; Pyrimidines - therapeutic use; Remission; Rodent Diseases - drug therapy; Rodent Diseases - parasitology; Seizures; Skin; Skin diseases; Topical application; Toxicity; Trixacarus caviae; isoxazolines; guinea pig; Trixacarus caviae; afoxolaner
• ISSN: 2053-1095; 2053-1095
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70039

Trixacarus caviae is a sarcoptic mange mite infesting guinea pigs. Infestation in immunosuppressed animals produces severe dermatological problems, including alopecia, intense pruritus, hyperkeratosis and non‐dermatological issues (e.g., seizures). Treatment options are limited and include topical application of macrocyclic lactones or amitraz or injectable administration of ivermectin or doramectin. Considering the severity of the disease and the challenging treatment, the present paper aimed to determine the efficacy of oral afoxolaner in a severe case of infestation with T. caviae in a pet guinea pig. One female guinea pig was referred to the New Companion Animal Clinic due to severe dermatological problems. A clinical evaluation was done, and skin scrapings were collected and examined under the microscope. Small mites were detected and morphologically identified as T. caviae. The animal was treated with a single oral dose of 2.50 mg/kg afoxolaner, and the lesions, presence/absence of mites and intensity of pruritus were evaluated periodically until 2 months post‐treatment. A week after the medication, the lesions were milder, but pruritus was still present and was attributed to the healing process. Further examinations showed significant improvement with the complete remission of clinical signs and no mites at the microscopic examination after 4 weeks. Afoxolaner was safe and effective in this guinea pig for the treatment of T. caviae mange with no repetition needed. One female guinea pig was presented with dermatological problems and was confirmed to be infested by Trixacarus caviae mites. The animal was treated with a single oral dose of 2.50 mg/kg afoxolaner, with the complete remission of clinical signs and no mites at the microscopic examination after 4 weeks. Afoxolaner was safe and effective in this guinea pig for the treatment of T. caviae