Effectiveness of a fluralaner spot-on formulation in a case of feline demodicosis due to Demodex cati

Abstract

Case summary

A 7-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was presented with a non-pruritic erythematous crusted nasal hypotrichosis along with bilateral ceruminous otitis externa. The cat was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and was positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Deep skin scraping, trichograms from lesional skin and ear canal parasitological examination were positive for Demodex cati. A 250 mg (55.5 mg/kg) fluralaner spot-on for medium-sized cats (Bravecto; MSD) was applied to the base of the cat’s head. Re-examinations were carried out on the fourth, sixth and eighth weeks after therapy. On the fourth week, the ceruminous otitis had resolved completely and the nasal lesions were markedly improved. One dead adult D cati was found in deep skin scrapings while other tests from the skin and both ear canals were negative. On the second re-examination only a mild hypotrichosis persisted on the nasal region and all parasitological examinations were negative. Eight weeks after the initial examination, the skin lesions had almost clinically resolved. On the 12th week, fluralaner spot-on was repeated. No recurrence was noted at the 6-month follow-up.

Relevance and novel information

The use of isoxazolines has been reported for only a few demodectic cats but was described to be safe and effective. This is the first report to evaluate the efficacy of a single spot-on fluralaner for the treatment of localised dermatitis and otodemodicosis due to D cati, and suggests it as an effective, safe and practical treatment.

Introduction

Feline demodicosis due to Demodex cati is a rare derma-titis and is mostly associated with systemic illness or immunosuppression.^1-3 It occurs as a generalised or localised dermatitis, involving mostly the face, eyelids, head and neck.^1,3,4 The most prominent lesion is patchy alopecia with erythema, scales and crusts. It can also present as ceruminous otitis externa (OE).^1,5,6 Otodemodicosis may be associated with dermatitis or can be present by itself. ¹ Only a few cases of otodemodicosis without dermatitis have been reported in the literature. ⁵ Pruritus may be absent, mild or moderate.

Treatment for feline demodicosis can be ineffective and sometimes difficult to manage because it is chronic and necessitates the cat’s compliance. Moreover, drug-induced toxicity has been reported. Especially for D cati, various treatments have been reported with variable outcomes. Topical therapy with 2% lime sulfur every 5–7 days for 4–6 weeks is commonly suggested.^3,7 However, despite their efficacy, lime sulfur dips can be time-consuming and difficult to apply to cats. Moreover, yellow discolouration in light-coloured cats, drying of the footpads and hair loss may be observed. ⁸ Other treatment choices, which are infrequently used due to their adverse effects, are amitraz rinses (0.0125% to 0.025%) and macrocyclic lactones. Amitraz dips are performed weekly or every other week, for 2–4 weeks. ⁹ However, amitraz is a last resort due to its proven toxicity in the cat. Doramectin, ivermectin and milbemycin have been effectively used, but often have to be discontinued due to neurotoxicity occurring before a clinical cure is achieved.

Isoxazolines have been used in few demodectic cats. Oral fluralaner was reported to be effective in the treatment of one case of feline generalised dermatitis due to D cati and two cases with D gatoi.^7,10 Spot-on fluralaner was found to be successful in the treatment of seven cats with generalised dermatitis due to D cati. ¹¹ In Brazil, oral administration of sarolaner successfully treated one case of feline demodicosis. ¹² A spot-on formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner was effective in treating one case of otodemodicosis due to D cati and two cases of generalised demodicosis due to D gatoi.^13,14

Case description

A 7-year-old 4.5 kg male intact indoor/outdoor domestic shorthair cat was presented during winter with non-pruritic facial skin lesions and bilateral ceruminous OE. Over the past year, the cat had repeatedly received intramuscular injections of methylprednisolone acetate to provide relief for the management of stomatitis. Eleven days prior, the cat had been diagnosed with uncomplicated diabetes mellitus (DM) at our clinic. At this time, a complete work-up (complete blood count, biochemistry profile, electrolytes, thyroxine and fructosamine measurements, feline leukemia virus [FeLV] and feline immunodeficiency virus [FIV] serology, urinalysis, urine culture and abdominal radiography plus ultrasound) was obtained. The patient was found to have marked hyperglycaemia (blood glucose concentration 489 mg/dl, reference interval [RI] 66–150), increased fructosamine concentrations (412 µmol/l, RI 190–340) and a mild elevation in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (139 U/l, RI 15–125). Urinalysis revealed glucose 3+ without ketonuria and urine culture was negative. The cat was also positive for FIV. All other measured parameters were within normal limits and radiography and ultrasonography were also normal.

At the time of presentation to the dermatology service, the cat was clinically well, and the DM was controlled with glargine insulin (0.25 IU/kg q12h SC; Lantus, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland) and dietary therapy (Feline Diabetic Canned Cat Food; Royal Canin). Dermatological examination revealed erythema, hypotrichosis, crusts and a brownish oily exudate on the dorsal nasal region (Figure 1). Ceruminous otic exudate was present in both ear canals and the haircoat was dry and dull. Initial dermatological differential diagnoses included dermatophytosis, demodicosis and solar (actinic) dermatitis.

Figure 1.

Clinical presentation of erythema, hypotrichosis, crusts and a brownish oily a exudate on the dorsal nasal region

A single deep skin scraping and trichograms from the lesional area revealed four live adult D cati mites. No dermatophyte hyphae or arthroconidia were found from the trichograms and on hair shafts obtained from the skin scraping of the lesional area. The parasitological examination of the otic exudate was also positive for D cati. Two adult live mites were seen. Few Malassezia yeasts were retrieved with ear canal cytology. The owner declined further diagnostic tests. The final diagnosis was feline demodicosis due to D cati.

A single dose of 250 mg (55.5 mg/kg) fluralaner spot-on for medium-sized cats (Bravecto; MSD Animal Health) was applied to the base of the cat’s neck. Four weeks later, the ceruminous otitis had resolved completely and the nasal lesions were markedly reduced. One dead adult D cati mite was found in the deep skin scrapings, while adhesive tape strips, trichograms and the parasitological examination of both ear canals were negative for mites. No further treatment was administered.

After 2 further weeks, while the cat was normoglyceamic and DM was well controlled, only a mild nasal hypotrichosis persisted. Deep skin scrapings, trichograms and parasitological examination of both ear canals were negative for mites. Eight weeks after the initial examination, the skin lesions had almost clinically resolved (Figure 2) and all parasitological samples were again negative for mites. A second fluralaner spot-on was applied 12 weeks after the first for prevention of relapse. No recurrence was noted at the 6-month follow-up.

Figure 2.

Signs of clinical improvement were evident 8 weeks post-treatment

Discussion

D cati is thought to be part of the normal microflora of the feline skin.^15–18 It is believed that kittens become parasitised from the queen during lactation. ¹⁹ Unlike Demodex canis in the dog,^3,20 there is no report of D cati found in skin scrapings from normal feline skin. Additionally, in one study PCR for D cati DNA was found to be negative in healthy cats and the authors speculated that this relates to the very small number of mites present. ¹⁶ However, asymptomatic and healthy cats may be found to be positive for D gatoi on skin scrapings or PCR.^1,16

Generalised demodicosis owing to D cati is associated with systemic disease and long-term glucocorticoid use. In many cases, glucocorticoids have preceded clinical signs of demodicosis,^2,4,21,22 thus demonstrating their role in the pathogenesis of this dermatitis. But there are also cats that have received glucocorticoids to control pruritus due to demodicosis. The most common underlying systemic conditions are infection with FIV and FeLV, as well as DM,^{4,11,15,18,21,22} as reported in the present case. However, some cats with D cati have no underlying disease or history of predisposing drug use.^1,3 D cati mites have also been identified at lesional sites of Bowenoid in situ carcinoma (BISC).^23,24 Although crusting nasal dermatitis can be a sign of BISC, in this case, the absence of hyperkeratotic, hyperpigmented, crusted plaques or papules on the skin did not support such a diagnosis.^23,25 The lack of pigment at the lesional site in this cat, along with the history of outdoor activity, initially raised the suspicion of solar-induced lesions. Skin lesions in this case could have been compatible with incipient lesions of solar keratosis;^26,27 however, skin biopsy, which would indicate any histological changes due to chronic sun exposure, was not performed. According to the literature, solar-induced lesions become progressively severe with each passing summer and early lesions can regress with photoprotection and sun avoidance.^26,27 In this case, the lesions did not regress during the winter months and clinical improvement was seen after antiparasitic therapy, and thus a diagnosis of newly emerging solar keratosis was unlikely.

There is no consensus as to what extent or number of lesions describe localised vs generalised feline demodicosis, as has been reported for dogs. Localised demodicosis usually presents as facial lesions and the generalised form can involve the trunk and limbs.^1,15,18 Otodemodicosis can be associated with dermatitis or present as a single finding. In a study of 1407 feline dermatology cases, demodicosis was diagnosed in only nine cases (3.4%, 9/266 parasitic diseases). Demodicosis was associated with D cati in 7/9 cases and in six of these cases mites were confined to the ear canals. ⁶

Pruritus is usually associated with contagious D gatoi, although asymptomatic infection with D gatoi has been reported.^16,28 The host response is attributed to a hypersensitivity reaction, which may explain why some animals do not exhibit pruritus, despite the presence of the otherwise pruritic D gatoi. In the case of D cati, the pruritus can be absent or mild to moderate. ¹ Considering that there are mixed infestations with D cati, D gatoi and the third unnamed Demodex species, it may be that the actual number of pruritic D cati cases are even fewer.^{14,15,18,21,29} In our case, the cat was not pruritic at all, a finding consistent with previous case reports.^2,4,18

Localised demodicosis has been reported to be self-limiting.^19,30 However, remission of generalised demodicosis owing to D cati is thought to happen by therapeutically targeting the underlying condition or by stopping immunosuppressive drugs. ² This is in agreement with our case, because both the methylprednisolone had been stopped and the underlying condition (DM) was controlled. There is no time frame as to when clinical and parasitological cure occurs. Analysing published cases, for dips and rinses at least 1–2 months was required for clinical cure and relapses may be seen. In one case of otodemodicosis treated with topical solution of sarolaner/selamectin, complete mite resolution was achieved after four monthly treatments. ¹² In a study, a single dose of topical fluralaner spot-on achieved parasitic clearance within 14 days and clinical cure within 1 month in seven cases with generalised dermatitis owing to D cati. ¹¹ The use of oral fluralaner for D cati generalised demodicosis was successful in 1 and 2 months for parasitological and clinical cure, respectively, in another case report. ⁷ In the present case, clinical and parasitological cure of otodemodicosis was achieved in 4 weeks. For dermatitis, parasitological cure and almost complete disappearance of skin lesions plus hair regrowth occurred in 6 and 8 weeks, respectively.

Isoxazolines seem to be well tolerated and safe. The most common adverse effects reported in cats are vomiting, pruritus, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and alopecia at the site of application.^31–35 These are sporadic in nature and usually self-limiting. Potential exists for neurological adverse effects including tremors, ataxia and seizures, even in cats without a history of neurological disorders.^31,32 Information on the safety of isoxazolines in diseased animals is scarce. In particular, there is limited information on the safety of antiparasitic treatment for FIV-positive demodectic cats, since these cats died or were euthanased.^15,18,22 The first report of an FIV-positive demodectic cat that received therapy was reported in 2005. The cat was treated with ivermectin and later with doramectin, but it developed ataxia and became lethargic, and finally was euthanased. ²¹ Generalised demodicosis in seven cats, three of them FIV positive, was successfully treated with spot-on fluralaner with no adverse effects reported. ¹¹ In another report, an FeLV-positive demodectic cat received oral sarolaner, also with no adverse effects. ¹⁴ Cats with pre-existing chronic disease should be in good health at the time of isoxazoline administration and the underlying condition should be well controlled. The same was true for our case and no side effects were noted.

Isoxazolines have a broad spectrum of ectoparasitic activity in both dogs and cats. ³¹ In the cat in particular, studies have proved fluralaner’s efficacy against Lynxacarus radovskyi and Otodectes cynotis.^36–38 In the first study, ³⁶ fluralaner was administered orally, whereas in the other two studies a spot-on formulation was used,^37,38 either alone or in combination with moxidectin. One application was successful in eradicating the infection, although in the case of L radovskyi, fluralaner appeared to have a shorter duration of action than the reported 12 weeks. Oral afoxolaner was administered in cats with otodectic mange and the therapeutic effect lasted for 65 days, and no re-infestation was observed. ³⁹ The use of oral sarolaner was evaluated against lynxacariosis and otodectic mange and was also effective.^40,41 A spot-on formulation combining selamectin and sarolaner was successful for the therapy of otodectic mange after a single application. ⁴² In another study, the efficacy of the above formulation against ear mites was assessed and it reached 94.4% following 1 month of administration. ⁴³ Further studies are required to establish the efficacy of different fluralaner formulations or other isoxazolines against mites and insects.

Conclusions

In this case, spot-on fluralaner successfully treated, with no relapse and no obvious adverse effects, a cat with localised demodicosis and otodemodicosis due to D cati. This would suggest that the topical application of fluralaner is a long-term effective, easy to use, practical and less time-consuming alternative treatment for feline demodicosis.