Tj. Nuttall et al., TREATMENT OF TROMBICULA-AUTUMNALIS INFESTATION IN DOGS AND CATS WITH A 0.25 PER CENT FIPRONIL PUMP SPRAY, Journal of Small Animal Practice, 39(5), 1998, pp. 237-239
To evaluate the efficacy of fipronil in controlling trombiculid infest
ations, 18 dogs and three cats infested with Trombicula autumnalis lar
vae were treated monthly from examination to the end of the Trombicula
season (range one to four months) with a 0.25 per cent fipronil spray
applied to the whole body, with particular emphasis on the feet, face
, ears, perineum and tail. No other antiparasite measures were used. F
ollow-hip was by clinical examination and telephone interview until th
e end of the Trombicula season (range one to four months), No adverse
effects were seen, Monthly treatment controlled trombiculids in 15 dog
s. In two dogs localised pedal reinfestations were controlled with add
itional local application of fipronil to the feet every 14 days, In on
e dog therapy was of no benefit. In the three cats, treatment was init
ially effective, but generalised infestations recurred after seven to
10 days. Fipronil is a safe and effective treatment for trombiculid in
festations In dogs. Residual activity lasts for 14 to 30 days, Further
studies are required to examine the apparent short duration of effica
cy in cats.