Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
New Companion Animals Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Vet Med Sci. 2024 Sep;10(5):e70039. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70039.
Trixacarus caviae is a sarcoptic mange mite infesting guinea pigs. Infestation in immunosuppressed animals produces severe dermatological problems, including alopecia, intense pruritus, hyperkeratosis and non-dermatological issues (e.g., seizures). Treatment options are limited and include topical application of macrocyclic lactones or amitraz or injectable administration of ivermectin or doramectin. Considering the severity of the disease and the challenging treatment, the present paper aimed to determine the efficacy of oral afoxolaner in a severe case of infestation with T. caviae in a pet guinea pig. One female guinea pig was referred to the New Companion Animal Clinic due to severe dermatological problems. A clinical evaluation was done, and skin scrapings were collected and examined under the microscope. Small mites were detected and morphologically identified as T. caviae. The animal was treated with a single oral dose of 2.50 mg/kg afoxolaner, and the lesions, presence/absence of mites and intensity of pruritus were evaluated periodically until 2 months post-treatment. A week after the medication, the lesions were milder, but pruritus was still present and was attributed to the healing process. Further examinations showed significant improvement with the complete remission of clinical signs and no mites at the microscopic examination after 4 weeks. Afoxolaner was safe and effective in this guinea pig for the treatment of T. caviae mange with no repetition needed.
豚鼠奇痒螨是一种寄生于豚鼠的疥螨。在免疫抑制动物中感染会产生严重的皮肤问题，包括脱毛、剧烈瘙痒、过度角化和非皮肤问题（例如，癫痫发作）。治疗选择有限，包括局部应用大环内酯类药物或阿莫特拉唑或注射伊维菌素或多拉菌素。考虑到疾病的严重程度和治疗的挑战性，本研究旨在确定口服阿福拉纳在一只宠物豚鼠严重奇痒螨感染病例中的疗效。一只雌性豚鼠因严重的皮肤问题被转诊到新伴侣动物诊所。进行了临床评估，并采集皮肤刮片在显微镜下检查。发现了小螨虫，并通过形态学鉴定为豚鼠奇痒螨。该动物接受了单次口服 2.50 毫克/千克阿福拉纳治疗，定期评估病变、螨虫的存在/不存在以及瘙痒的强度，直到治疗后 2 个月。用药一周后，病变减轻，但瘙痒仍存在，这归因于愈合过程。进一步的检查显示，在 4 周后，临床症状完全缓解，显微镜检查未见螨虫，情况有了显著改善。阿福拉纳对这只豚鼠治疗奇痒螨感染是安全有效的，不需要重复用药。
