Efficacy of a spot-on combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin (Bravecto plus) against naturally acquired Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in 10 pet rabbits: Retrospective case series

Background Current treatments for sarcoptic mange in rabbits mainly include administration of avermectines every 10-30 days. Recently, a single oral dose of fluralaner has been shown to be effective to treat sarcoptic mange in 12 pet rabbits over a three-month period. Objectives To retrospectively assess the efficacy of a spot-on combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin for the treatment of sarcoptic mange in rabbits. Animals Ten client-owned rabbits diagnosed with sarcoptic mange. Materials and Methods An application of fluralaner plus moxidectin at an average dose of 25 mg/kg and 1.24 mg/kg, respectively, was administered topically once. Parasitological and dermatological examination was carried out weekly for one month and monthly for three months. Results The median age at diagnosis was 15 (range 3-48) months. Based on the age of onset, there were three juvenile (<6-month-old) and seven adult-onset cases. Of those, four were generalized (head, feet and/or genital area) and six were localized form (head only). The combination of fluralaner plus moxidectin resulted in 100% eradication of mites and complete resolution of all skin lesions within 21 days. Recurrence was not observed 90 days post-treatment. Relapse was not observed in one case followed up for a further four months and two rabbits followed up for a further six months. The other pets were lost to follow-up. Conclusions and clinical relevance These results indicated that a single dose of a formulation containing fluralaner plus moxidectin, at 25 mg/kg and 1.24 mg/kg, respectively, was effective for the treatment of naturally occurring sarcoptic mange in rabbits.