CLINICO DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC STUDIES ON CERTAIN ECTOPARASITIC SKIN DISEASES IN DOGS
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Date
2016-05
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
The present study was carried out to study the incidence, different diagnostic
aspects, and to evaluate the efficacy of different therapeutic agents in certain
ectoparasitic skin diseases in dogs. The overall incidence of ectoparasitic skin disease
was 75.55% (238/315) of which tick infestation, flea infestation, lice infestation, and
mite infestation were 63.02 % (150/238), 11.34% (27 /238), 18.48% (44/238) and
19.76% (17/86), respectively. However, mixed infestations were seen in 22 out of
238 dogs. The highest incidence was recorded in age group of 2-4 years in tick
infested dogs, 1-2 years in flea infested dogs, 2-4 years in lice infested dogs and less
than one year in mite infested dogs. Tick, flea, lice and mite infestation were recorded
high in male, mongrel dogs. Alopecia, erythema, erosions and pruritus (mild, moderate and severe) were the common clinical manifestations noticed in tick, flea, lice and mite infested dogs. In flea infested dogs, flea dirt was major clinical finding. Whereas, anemia, papular
eruptions, hyperpigmentation which were mostly distributed at the dorsal aspect of
lumbo-sacral area, caudomedial thighs and ventral abdomen were also recorded. Dogs
with lice infestation along with above said signs showed anemia, restlessness, intense
irritation (biting lice) and debilitation (sucking lice). Mite infested dogs revealed
papules, pustules, scales, lichenification and hyperpigmentation. Whereas,
generalized lesions were commonly observed than that of localized lesions.
Diagnosis of ectoparasitic skin infestation was made by visual examination,
palpation, combing, examination of skin scrapings, hairpluck, acetate tape
impression smears and otic discharge which revealed presence of ticks
(Rhipicephalus sanguineus), fleas (Ctenocephalides canis), lice (Heterodoxus
spiniger and Linognathus setosus) and mites (Demodex canis and Demodex cornei).
Though there was a significant decrease in the mean Hb, PCV and increase in
eosinophils of the tick, fleas and lice infested dogs, it was not seen in all the dogs of
either group. In mange, besides the significant anemic changes, a significant increase
in TLC, neutrophil and lymphocyte count was also noted. The biochemical finding in
dogs with ecto-parasitic skin disease was a significant decrease in the mean total
serum protein. Fecal examination of these ectoparasitic infested dogs revealed Toxocara
canis, Ancylostome eggs and tape worm segment in 11.76% of dogs.
Forty dogs that diagnosed with ectoparasitic disease, were included in
therapeutic studies viz., Group II, III, IV, V and VI with 8 in each. Ticks infested
(GroupII) dogs treated with single application of fipronil spot-on 9.7% w/v showed
improvement in erythema, pruritus, alopecia and all the dogs were completely free
from ticks after 2 weeks of therapy. Whereas, Group III (tick infestation) dogs that
were treated by applying scalibor protector band containing 4% deltamethrin
showed complete relief by 4th week and the lesions subsided in all the dogs as the
intensity of tick infestation decreased. After therapy there was a significant increase
of hemoglobin, PCV, mean total protein and significant decrease in mean eosinophil
count in both groups. However, based on period of recovery on comparison of two
therapeutic protocols, fipronil spot-on was found to be more effective than scalibor
protector band. In Group IV (flea infestation) dogs’ treatment was initiated with fipronil
0.25% w/v mechanical pump spray @ 3-6 ml/kg b.wt, with which all the dogs
became flea free by 1st week. Group V (lice infestation) dogs were treated once with
fipronil spot on 9.7%w/v. All 8(100%) and even these dogs were found to be free
from infestation by 1st week. There was significant increase in the mean Hb, PCV,
total serum protein and significant decrease in eosinophil count of both group IV and
V dogs by the end of period of monitoring. Mite infested (group VI) dogs were treated with ivermectin tablets @ 300 μg per kg b.wt, orally once daily and external application of medicated shampoo (petben). However, in those cases which were complicated with pyoderma along with the above therapy an antibiotic (enrofloxacin @ 5 mg/kg b.wt) was also added. Ivermectin was continued till two negative skin scrapings were obtained at weekly intervals. By day 20, four dogs ( 2 localised and 2 generalised ) became mite free.
While one dog became negative only by day 80 and one dog remained positive till
the end of the study i.e day 90. After therapy the mean hemoglobin, PCV,
lymphocyte count and mean total protein values slightly increased with significant
decrease in TLC, neutrophil and eosinophil count. From the present study, it was concluded that the overall incidence of ectoparasitic skin disease was 75.55% with tick infestation being the most common. Erythema, alopecia and pruritus of varying intensity were the most commonly found symptoms in the affected dogs. The mean Hb, PCV, total serum protein decreased in the affected and improved by the end of the period of monitoring. Spot-on
preparation was convenient to apply and brought 100% recovery in lice and tick
infestation by weeks one and two respectively with no recurrence. Spray preparation
was also easy to apply and brought about 100% recovery in flea infestation by 1st
week with no recurrence. The recovery rate in demodicid dogs was 87.5% with a
prolonged treatment period in generalized demodicosis
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