Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Lotilaner (Credelio) stops Babesia canis infection from ticks in dogs
By Cavalleri, Daniela et al.·Published in Parasites & vectors·2017·Elanco Animal Health·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Two randomized, controlled studies to assess the efficacy and safety of lotilaner (Credelio™) in preventing Dermacentor reticulatus transmission of Babesia canis to dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs was tested to see if a new flea and tick treatment called lotilaner (Credelio) could prevent them from getting a serious infection called Babesia canis, which is spread by ticks. In two studies, dogs that received lotilaner remained free of the infection, while all the dogs that did not receive the treatment tested positive for Babesia canis after being exposed to infected ticks. This means that lotilaner was 100% effective in preventing the infection. If you're concerned about ticks and Babesia canis, talk to your vet about using lotilaner for your dog.
People also search for: dog Babesia canis prevention · lotilaner for ticks · dog tick treatment effectiveness
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dogs worldwide are at risk of Babesia spp. infections. Preventive efficacy of lotilaner tablets (Credelio™, Elanco) against Babesia canis was evaluated in two studies. METHODS: Sixteen dogs in Study 1 and 12 dogs in Study 2, all seronegative and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative for B. canis, were randomized to a sham-treated control group or a lotilaner (20-43 mg/kg) treatment group, administered on Day 0 (Study 1: n = 8/group; Study 2: n = 6/group). Dogs were each infested with 50 Dermacentor reticulatus, a percentage of which (Study 1: 8.0-30.0%; Study 2: 12.2%) were infected with B. canis, in Study 1 on Days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28, and in Study 2 on Day 28. Ticks were removed and counted on Day 30 in Study 1, and Day 34 in Study 2. Blood was collected for Babesia detection via smear, PCR and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in Study 1 on Day 2, then approximately weekly through Day 56, and in Study 2 at weekly intervals between Days 28 to 49, and on Days 63 and 91. Additional samples were collected from dogs with body temperature > 39.4 °C (measured three times weekly, from Days 7 to 56 in Study 1 and from Days 35 to 56 in Study 2) and positive for B. canis on blood smear. Dogs with confirmed infections were rescue-treated, removed from the study and, in Study 1, replaced. RESULTS: Across both studies B. canis infection of ticks ranged between 8.0-30.0%. In Study 1, all control dogs were positive for B. canis on blood smear and PCR on Day 10 and IFA on Day 21; on Day 21 seven of eight replacement control dogs were B. canis-positive; no replacement dogs were B. canis-positive following tick removal on Day 30. In Study 2, all control dogs were B. canis-positive on Day 56. All lotilaner-treated dogs remained B. canis-negative at all assessments in both studies. CONCLUSION: Lotilaner efficacy was 100% in preventing establishment of B. canis infection, despite post-treatment challenge with infected ticks on Days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29089056/