Comparative field efficacy of systemic, oral and topical application of ivermectin against psoroptes cuniculi, the ear mange mite in naturally infected rabbits

Abstract EN

The efficacy of subcutaneous injection, oral administration, local application and combination of oral and local application of ivermectin were evaluated in rabbits naturally infected with Psoroptes cuniculi mite.

Fifty New Zealand white rabbits suffering from Psoroptes mite infection were divided into 5 groups, ten rabbits each.

The first group was kept as untreated infected control group.

The second group injected subcutaneous with a single dose of ivermectin 400 µg/kg body weight.

The third group was treated orally with ivermectin in drinking water at a dose of 400 µg/kg body weight twice, 7 days interval.

The fourth group was treated by local application of ivermectin 1% lotion daily for 6 consecutive days.

The fifth group was treated by combination of oral and local administration of ivermectin at the same doses.

The extent of lesions were scored on day-7 (prior to treatment), day 0 (treatment) and days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35.

The ear scabs were collected simultaneously and mites in scabs were collected and examined.

The results showed that a single dose of ivermectin at 400 µg/kg body weight following subcutaneous administration was able to eliminate P.

cuniculi ear mange infection in rabbits.

Local application of ivermectin 1% lotion for 6 consecutive days also able to eliminate P.

cuniculi infection.

Although oral administration of ivermectin at a dose of 400 µg/kg body weight twice 7 days interval reduced the number of mite count but did not eliminate the infection.

However, combination of oral administration and local application of ivermectin has good results for elimination of P.

cuniculi infection in rabbits.