Efficacy of afoxolaner in the treatment of otodectic mange in naturally infested cats

Afoxolaner is a drug belonging to the isoxazolines' family, and it is recommended for ectoparasite control in dogs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of afoxolaner in the treatment of otodectic mange in naturally infested cats. Sixteen cats were divided into two groups (treated and control). The treated group (n = 8) underwent a single oral presentation of afoxolaner at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg. The control group (n = 8) received no antiparasitic treatment. The detection of mite infestations were performed by video otoscopy before the medication, 48 h after the medication and at weekly intervals up to 35 days after treatment (+7, +14, +21, +28, +35). In the treated group, the animals were negative for the presence of the mite 48 h after the medication and throughout the evaluation period. The control group remained positive throughout the experiment, demonstrating 100% efficacy (p < 0.05) for the treated cats naturally infested with Otodectes cynotis in a single dose over a period of 35 days. The animals were reintroduced into their natural habitat, allowed to regain contact with other cats and then reassessed for possible reinfestation. It was found that afoxolaner was effective in the treatment of otodectic mange the animals presented no adverse reaction to the use of afoxolaner.