Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis refractory to ivermectin treatment in two dogs.
- Journal:
- Veterinary dermatology
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Terada, Yuri et al.
- Affiliation:
- Japan Ikemura Pet Clinic · Japan
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old male Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire terrier from the same home both had severe itching caused by a skin mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. They were treated with a medication called ivermectin, given both by mouth and as an injection, but after 35 days, the mites were still present, and their skin condition got worse. This suggested that the mites were not responding to the ivermectin treatment. However, when they were given a topical treatment called fipronil, the itching quickly and completely went away. This case is notable because it shows that some cases of canine scabies may not respond to ivermectin.
Abstract
A 10-year-old castrated male Shih Tzu presented with severe generalized pruritus. Skin scrapings revealed the presence of Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis. A Yorkshire terrier in the same household simultaneously developed pruritus due to scabies. Both dogs were treated with 300 μg/kg ivermectin, at first orally and then subcutaneously at 14 day intervals. However, live mites were still found on day 35, and the skin condition deteriorated in both dogs. These findings suggested that the S. scabiei in these dogs was clinically refractory to ivermectin. The pruritus in both dogs rapidly and completely disappeared following topical fipronil administration. This appears to be the first report of canine scabies refractory to ivermectin treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20880016/