John H C Hutt1, I Craig Prior2, Michael A Shipstone1. 1. Dermatology for Animals, 263 Appleby Road, Stafford Heights, Queensland, 4053, Australia. 2. Murphy Road Animal Hospital, 4408 Murphy Road, Nashville, TN, 37209, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Generalized demodicosis is a severe skin disease in the dog, with limited treatment options. HYPOTHESIS/ OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that doramectin, when given at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg body weight, is a safe and effective treatment for generalized demodicosis in the dog. ANIMALS: Four hundred client-owned dogs diagnosed with generalized demodicosis at one general small-animal practice. Of these, 232 completed their treatment and were included in the study. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out by searching the computerised medical records of dogs seen at one general small-animal practice in Tennessee, USA. The records of each dog with a diagnosis of generalized demodicosis, who underwent treatment using weekly injections of doramectin at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg body weight, were analysed. RESULTS: Remission was achieved in 94.8% of dogs treated with weekly subcutaneous injections of doramectin at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg body weight. Adverse events were rare with two suspected instances (0.5%) being recorded. The mean duration of treatment was 7.1 weeks. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Doramectin given at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous injection at weekly intervals is a useful and well-tolerated treatment for generalized demodicosis in the dog.
BACKGROUND:Generalized demodicosis is a severe skin disease in the dog, with limited treatment options. HYPOTHESIS/ OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that doramectin, when given at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg body weight, is a safe and effective treatment for generalized demodicosis in the dog. ANIMALS: Four hundred client-owned dogs diagnosed with generalized demodicosis at one general small-animal practice. Of these, 232 completed their treatment and were included in the study. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out by searching the computerised medical records of dogs seen at one general small-animal practice in Tennessee, USA. The records of each dog with a diagnosis of generalized demodicosis, who underwent treatment using weekly injections of doramectin at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg body weight, were analysed. RESULTS: Remission was achieved in 94.8% of dogs treated with weekly subcutaneous injections of doramectin at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg body weight. Adverse events were rare with two suspected instances (0.5%) being recorded. The mean duration of treatment was 7.1 weeks. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Doramectin given at a dose rate of 0.6 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous injection at weekly intervals is a useful and well-tolerated treatment for generalized demodicosis in the dog.