Canine sarcoptic mange is a highly pruritic and contagious skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis. This case report describes the clinical, parasitological and serological follow-up of a cohort of nine adult Saint Bernard dogs with confirmed sarcoptic mange, treated orally with lotilaner.
All dogs were evaluated initially and after 14 days, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 months for skin lesions, pruritus severity, presence of parasites and Sarcoptes-IgG levels. A serological indoor allergy panel (IgE) was obtained for seven dogs at day 0 and repeated 12 months later to assess potential cross-reactivity between S. scabiei and environmental allergens. Lotilaner was administered to each dog according to the manufacturer’s instructions and was repeated after one and two months without any concurrent therapeutic measure or modification of the husbandry conditions.
After two weeks, pruritus had ceased. The cutaneous score was reduced by 47% and skin scrapings were negative for all but three animals. After one month, all skin scrapings were negative. After two months, lesions were absent. Serological levels decreased gradually, but more slowly than the skin lesions and parasite load; two dogs remained positive. All tested dogs were initially positive for dust mites and/or storage mites. IgE titers remained unchanged 12 months later.
This case report confirms the efficacy of lotilaner as a broad acaricidal agent in a cohort of dogs with sarcoptic mange and the potential antigenic cross reaction of S. scabiei with house dust and storage mites.
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