TERMINATION OF FLEA INFESTATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN SOME ZOO ANIMALS WITH THE EXCLUSIVE APPLICATION OF PRODUCT CONTAINING LUFENURON

In order to terminate flea infestation and its consequences in the cas e of zoological species, the author has applied Program (R) tablets (N ovartis) containing lufenuron, which has only been used for cats and d ogs. White wolves, beech-martens, raccoons and coatis showed symptoms of heavy flea infestation, constant nervousness, and extended dermatit is, while hyenas: red and arctic foxes and raccoon dogs the constant n ervousness and frequent scratching made intervention necessary. The ha irlessness and dermatitis of the hide in the case of beech-martens, ra ccoons and coatis extended to the whole surface of the tail and the ai tchbone, on raccoons there were dermatitis spots even on the back. The animals received the active ingredient lufenuron with the main feedin g hidden in the feed -, the above mentioned species received it in ''d og dosage'' (10 mg/bwkg), but the felines (lion, tiger, leopard, jagua r,) placed in the neighboring cages, showing vague symptoms received ' 'cat dosage'' (30 mg/bwkg). Thorough sanitation was carried our simult aneously with the treatment. For the treatment of the definite clinica l appearance (with the exception of raccoon dogs) no other active ingr edient was applied. After the treatment with Iufenuron (from the flea- infestation symptoms) at the end of the second week the nervousness le ssened, the scratching attempts became scarcer, and the rash in the ha irless spots became milder. Complete healing (in the case of dermatiti s) took place in 3-6 weeks. The discussed cases did not appear again e ven after the cessation of lufenuron treatment. Lufenuron as a sole ac tive ingredient proved to be very effective in terminating the flea in festation and its consequences in certain zoological species. Most of the experiences seem to be applicable in the case of other animal spec ies. The applied treatments proved to be very effective in each case, and also very practical, as in zoological circumstances it is very imp ortant to avoid the (repeated) catching and individual treatment of th e animals.