Efficacy of single topical treatment of Selamectin (Revolution®) against Ancylostoma ceylanicum in experimentally infected cats.

Abstract

Ancylostoma ceylanicum, a species of hookworm, is a common parasite of dogs and cats in the Asia-Pacific region. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a single topical treatment of selamectin (Revolution&#xae;) against A. ceylanicum in experimentally infected cats. 12 kittens were injected with 300 infective stage larvae (L3) of A. ceylanicum by the subcutaneous route. Faecal samples were examined daily (days 7-15) for the presence of hookworm eggs. On day 18 kittens were stratified by faecal egg count and randomly allocated in equal numbers to control (n&#x202f;=&#x202f;6) and treatment (n&#x202f;=&#x202f;6) groups. Faecal egg counts were then performed daily (days 14-27) or every 3&#x202f;days (days 28-51) until the end of the study and compared between the treated and control groups. Kittens in the treatment group were administered a single topical dose of selamectin (Revolution&#xae;), per label recommendations (6&#x202f;mg/kg), on day 19. Kittens in the control group were not treated. At 4&#x202f;days post-treatment, no hookworm eggs were detected in the treated group. Faecal samples from this group remained negative throughout the study, the treatment efficacy was 100% egg reduction (P&#x202f;<&#x202f;.0001). Average faecal egg counts remained high (558&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;231 eggs per gram) in the untreated control group until the end of the study period. In conclusion, a single topical treatment of selamectin (Revolution&#xae;) at the recommended dose was highly efficacious against infection with A. ceylanicum in cats.