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Background The isoxazoline fluralaner is effective for prevention of Babesia canis transmission from infected Dermacentor reticulatus ticks to dogs for 84 days in a controlled environment. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of fluralaner chewable tablets for sustained prevention of B. canis infection of dogs in endemic areas under natural conditions. Methods In Europe, privately owned, clinically healthy pet dogs were enrolled and randomized either to receive fluralaner at 25–56 mg/kg (Bravecto ® chewable tablets) on days 0 and 84, or to remain untreated during the D. reticulatus season. Blood samples were collected to evaluate B. canis exposure: on days 0 and 21 (exposure before day 0), during the study and at the end of the tick season (dogs suspected of having become infected after day 0). Efficacy was determined by the percentage reduction in B. canis transmission risk based on the difference in B. canis -positive tests in fluralaner-treated dogs compared with untreated dogs. In addition, ticks collected at monthly intervals throughout the study were identified to species level and females tested for B. canis DNA. Results A total of 152 dogs were enrolled in the study, although nine dogs were excluded because they tested positive for B. canis DNA or antibodies within 21 days after enrollment. During the study period, no fluralaner-treated dog became positive for B. canis , resulting in calculated efficacy of 100%. However, babesiosis infection was diagnosed in five untreated control dogs (Fisher’s exact test, left-sided, P  = 0.0312). Tick analyses revealed that one sample collected in Hungary was infected with B. canis . Conclusion Oral administration of Bravecto chewable tablets at the recommended dosage to dogs completely prevented B. canis transmission under field conditions in an endemic area for 12 weeks. Graphical Abstract

Background There is a demand for broad-spectrum products effective against internal and external parasites to simplify dog-owner compliance with veterinary parasiticide treatment recommendations. A field study investigated the safety and efficacy of a broad-spectrum formulation of fluralaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel pamoate compared with a licensed afoxolaner–milbemycin oxime combination product in treating canine intestinal nematode infections in client-owned dogs at multiple sites in Europe. Methods Dogs with positive pre-treatment fecal egg counts (FEC) were randomized to treatment on day 0 with the investigative veterinary product (IVP), at dose rates of: IVP, fluralaner 10–20 mg/kg, moxidectin 0.025–0.050 mg/kg, pyrantel 5–10 mg/kg ( n  = 172); or a control product (CP), afoxolaner 2.5–5.2 mg/kg, milbemycin oxime 0.5–1.0 mg/kg ( n  = 86). On day 14, FEC were completed on all study dogs. Efficacy against any intestinal nematode species was claimed if the FEC reduction in ≥ 10 dogs initially positive for that species was ≥ 90%, and if the geometric mean difference between pre- and post-treatment FEC was statistically significant ( P  ≤ 0.05). Results Study dogs were enrolled at veterinary clinics in Albania ( n  = 60), Bulgaria ( n  = 111), Greece ( n  = 27), and Italy ( n  = 60). Where a sufficient number of infected dogs allowed for statistical comparison, geometric mean FEC reductions on day 14 versus day 0 in the IVP group were significant ( P  < 0.0001) for hookworms, Toxocara canis , Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis , and capillarid-type eggs. On the basis of geometric mean reductions in FEC relative to day 0, the efficacy of the IVP exceeded 99% against all intestinal nematode parasites, and FEC reductions in the CP exceeded 98%. The percentage of nematode-free dogs in the IVP group was statistically noninferior ( P  < 0.0001) to the CP group and even statistically superior at the α  = 0.025 level of significance (one-sided). There were no treatment-related adverse events. Conclusions In client-owned dogs, the combination of fluralaner–moxidectin–pyrantel is safe and effective for the treatment of intestinal infections with hookworms, ascarids, including T. canis , and whipworms. On the basis of the complete elimination of parasite ova from the feces evaluated in this study, this fluralaner–moxidectin–pyrantel combination demonstrated to be significantly superior ( P  < 0.025) to an afoxolaner–milbemycin combination in the treatment of canine intestinal nematode infections. Graphical Abstract

Background Recent reports indicate that the isoxazoline compounds have the potential to provide safe and effective treatment of canine generalized demodicosis, a condition that has been traditionally difficult to cure. Controlled field studies are needed to confirm this potential. A study was therefore initiated to investigate the efficacy of a single oral or spot-on treatment with fluralaner, an isoxazoline, compared with multiple topical treatments with imidacloprid-moxidectin, in dogs naturally affected by generalized demodicosis. Methods Veterinary clinics in 5 European countries enrolled 134 dogs diagnosed with generalized demodicosis. Dogs were randomized to treatment with either fluralaner chewables, fluralaner spot-on, or topical imidacloprid-moxidectin in a 2:2:1 ratio. Both fluralaner formulations were administered once, at the approved dose rate, on Day 0. Imidacloprid-moxidectin was administered per label on Day 0, and every 4 weeks, more frequently if necessary. At each visit (Days 0, 28, 56, 84), dogs were monitored for demodectic mites using deep skin scrapings and observed for health and for severity of skin lesions. Treatment was considered efficacious if more than 90% of the dogs were free of live mites at both Days 56 and 84. Results Of 124 dogs completing the study, 57 were diagnosed with juvenile-onset demodicosis and 67 with the adult-onset form. A single treatment with oral or spot-on fluralaner was efficacious, each eliminating mites from at least 98.0% of treated dogs on Days 56 and 84. Against juvenile-onset demodicosis, efficacy of the oral and spot-on formulations was 96.0% and 100%, respectively, and against adult-onset demodicosis 100% and 96.7%. Multiple administrations of imidacloprid-moxidectin were not efficacious, eliminating mites from 87.5% of dogs (92.0% with juvenile-onset demodicosis cured; 81.8% with adult-onset demodicosis). All groups showed a marked reduction in skin lesions by Day 28, with continuing clinical improvement at each subsequent visit through Day 84. There were no treatment-related adverse events. Conclusions A single administration of fluralaner chewables or fluralaner spot-on is highly effective against with juvenile-onset and adult-onset forms of generalized canine demodicosis. Topically applied imidacloprid-moxidectin at weekly to monthly intervals over the 84-day study did not achieve the proportion of mite-free dogs required to demonstrate efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Albania is a country on the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. The Mediterranean climate is favourable for the stable development of many arthropod species, which are incriminated as vectors for various agents. Recently, several papers have reported on epidemiological aspects of parasitic diseases including vector-borne disease agents of dogs with zoonotic characteristics in Albania. However, data on the epidemiology of feline parasitic and bacterial agents in Albania is scarce. METHODS: Serum and EDTA-blood samples collected from 146 domestic cats from Tirana during 2008 through 2010 were examined for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Leishmania infantum, and Anaplasma spp. with IFAT, for infection with L. infantum, A. phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and haemotropic mycoplasmas with conventional PCR and real-time PCR and for Dirofilaria immitis with antigen ELISA. Additionally blood smear microscopy was carried out for detection of blood-borne pathogens. RESULTS: Antibodies to T. gondii (titre ≥1:100) were demonstrated in 91 cats (62.3%). Antibodies to N. caninum (titre ≥1:100), L. infantum (titre ≥1:64) and Anaplasma spp. (titre ≥1:100) were found in the serum of 15 (10.3%), 1 (0.7%) or 3 (2.1%) cats, respectively. DNA of haemotropic mycoplasmas was detected in the blood of 45 cats (30.8%), namely Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (21.9%), Mycoplasma haemofelis (10.3%), and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (5.5%), with ten cats harbouring co-infections of two mycoplasmas each; blood from one cat was PCR positive for Bartonella henselae. No DNA of Leishmania spp. and A. phagocytophilum or circulating D. immitis antigen was detected in any cat sample. The overall prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasmas was significantly higher in male compared to female cats (40.6% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.0444); and age was associated positively with the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii (p = 0.0008) and the percentage of haemotropic mycoplasma infection (p = 0.0454). CONCLUSIONS: With the broad screening panel including direct and indirect methods applied in the present study, a wide spectrum of exposure to or infection with parasitic or bacterial agents was detected.

Notoedric mange (also known as feline scabies) is a highly contagious and intensely pruritic dermatologic condition of cats caused by infestation with Notoedres cati mites. Previous publications provide evidence that topical selamectin, and more recently, topical selamectin + sarolaner is efficacious in the treatment of notoedric mange in cats. The study reported here was conducted to confirm the efficacy of a topically applied combination of selamectin and sarolaner (Stronghold ® Plus) in the treatment of notoedric mange in cats naturally infested with N. cati. Client-owned cats with clinical signs of notoedric mange and positive for live N. cati mites were enrolled and allocated randomly to treatment with either placebo ( n  = 10) or Stronghold Plus ( n  = 10). Treatment was administered on Days 0 and 30, and skin scrapings to detect live mites and assessment of the clinical signs of notoedric mange were conducted on Days 0, 30, and 60. The primary efficacy evaluation was based on the percent reduction in live mite counts in Stronghold Plus-treated cats compared to placebo-treated cats on Day 30. The parasitological cure (i.e., no live mites found) on Days 30 and 60 was also calculated for both treatment groups, as well as the improvement in clinical signs of notoedric mange. A single topical administration of Stronghold Plus provided a significant ( p < 0.0001) and 100% reduction in live N. cati mites relative to placebo within 30 days. All placebo-treated cats harbored mites on Days 30 and 60, while none of the Stronghold Plus-treated cats had any live mites. Parasitological cure on Days 30 and 60 was thus 100% and significantly different than placebo ( p < 0.0001). Clinical signs of notoedric mange improved in the Stronghold Plus-treated cats by Day 30, and no signs of notoedric mange were observed by Day 60. This study confirms that Stronghold Plus is highly effective in the treatment of notoedric mange in cats naturally infested with N. cati.

To establish the diversity and seasonality of ectoparasite infestation in client-owned dogs in Albania, 602 dogs visiting four small animal clinics in Tirana from March 2010 to April 2011 inclusive were examined for ectoparasites by full body search and total body comb. In addition, ear swab specimens collected from all dogs and scrapings taken from skin lesions suspicious of mite infestation were examined for parasitic mites. Overall, 93 dogs (15.4 %, 95%CI 12.6–18.6) were demonstrated to be infested, and nine species of ectoparasites were identified: Ixodes ricinus, 0.8 %; Rhipicephalus sanguineus s. l., 8.1 %; Demodex canis, 0.2 %; Sarcoptes scabiei, 0.7 %; Otodectes cynotis, 2.8 %; Ctenocephalides canis, 4.8 %; Ctenocephalides felis, 3.0 %; Pulex irritans, 0.2 %; and Trichodectes canis, 0.2 %. Single and multiple infestations with up to four species of ectoparasites concurrently were recorded in 67 (11.1 %, 95%CI 8.7–13.9) and 26 dogs (4.3 %, 95%CI 2.8–6.3), respectively. On univariate analysis, the category of breed (pure breed dogs vs. mixed-breed dogs), the dog’s purpose (pet, hunting dog, working dog), the housing environment (mainly indoors/indoors with regular outside walking vs. yard plus kennel/run), the history of ectoparasiticide treatment and the season of examination were identified as significant (p < 0.05) factors predisposing dogs to various ectoparasites, while the variables dog’s age, gender, the dog’s habitat (city, suburban, rural) and the presence/absence of other pets were not significant predictors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for factors associated with overall ectoparasitism revealed that dogs treated with ectoparasiticides at least once per year (odds ratio [OR] = 0.24; p < 0.001) had a significantly lower risk of infestation compared with dogs not treated against ectoparasite infestation. Dogs examined during spring, summer and autumn (OR = 7.08, 7.43 and 2.48, respectively; all p < 0.001) had a significantly higher risk of infestation than dogs examined during winter. By providing basic data on the infestation with ectoparasites in client-owned, veterinary-cared-for dogs from Albania for the first time, the results of this survey should emphasize the need of an increase of attention to ectoparasites in dogs by both veterinarians and dog owners.

Knowledge on the epidemiology of parasitic and vector-borne infections is still very limited for Albania, a country located in the Balkan Peninsula in southeast Europe. Recent publications indicated prevalence rates of up to 52 % for vector-borne infections in less-cared dogs in Albania. To provide data on the epidemiological situation in dogs under veterinary care, a total of 602 client-owned dogs presented to four small animal clinics between March 2010 and April 2011 in Tirana, Albania, were screened by examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears, PCR, and serological methods for the presence of arthropod-borne infections, as well as Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. Eight different pathogens, namely Babesia vogeli, Hepatozoon canis, Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria immitis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis, and Mycoplasma haemocanis, were detected by direct methods with prevalence rates ranging from 1 to 9 %. Seroprevalence for Babesia spp., L. infantum, Anaplasma spp., and E. canis were 6.6, 5.1, 24.1, and 20.8 %, respectively. Dogs >1 year of age were positive for vector-borne infections significantly more often than younger dogs (p = 0.003). More than half (51.7 %) of the dogs were seroreactive to T. gondii and 18.3 % to N. caninum. This is the first report on the detection of A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, E. canis, and M. haemocanis by PCR as well as the serological confirmation of exposure of dogs to N. caninum and T. gondii in Albania. The spectrum of pathogens and the seroprevalences for N. caninum and T. gondii in client-owned dogs from Tirana, Albania, are comparable to that reported in other countries in the Mediterranean Basin. The prevalence rates of vector-borne pathogens are at the lower range of that reported in studies from this geographical region. This is probably due to increased awareness of the owners of pet dogs, including better husbandry conditions and ectoparasiticidal treatment, thus limiting exposure of dogs to vectors.

From March 2010 to April 2011 inclusive, feces from 602 client-owned dogs visiting four small animal clinics in Tirana, Albania, were examined using standard coproscopical techniques including Giardia coproantigen ELISA and immunofluorescent staining of Giardia cysts. Overall, samples of 245 dogs (40.7 %, 95 % CI 36.6–45.6) tested positive for at least one type of fecal endoparasite (protozoan and/or helminth and/or pentastomid) stage, of which 180 (29.9 %, 95 % CI 26.3–33.7) and 129 (21.9 %, 95 % CI 18.2–24.9) tested positive for protozoan or nematode endoparasites, respectively. Fecal forms of at least 14 endoparasites were identified. The most frequently identified stages were those of Giardia (26.4 %), Trichuris (9.5 %), Toxocara (8.0 %), hookworms (7.1 %), Cystoisospora ohioensis (4.3 %), and Cystoisospora canis (3 %). For the first time for dogs in Albania, fecal examination indicated the occurrence of Hammondia/Neospora-like (0.2 %), Angiostrongylus lungworm (0.3 %), capillariid (2.8 %), and Linguatula (0.2 %) infections. Single and multiple infections with up to seven parasites concurrently were found in 152 (25.2 %, 95 % CI 21.8–28.9) and 93 dogs (15.4 %, 95 % CI 12.7–18.6), respectively. On univariate analysis, the dog’s age, the dog’s purpose (pet, hunting dog, working dog), the dog’s habitat (city, suburban, rural), and environment (mainly indoors, indoors with regular outside walking, yard, kennel/run), presence/absence of other dogs and/or cats, history of anthelmintic use, and season of examination were identified as significant (p < 0.05) factors predisposing dogs to various types of endoparasitism while the variables breed (pure breed dogs vs. mixed-breed dogs), gender, and type of food were not significant predictors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for factors associated with overall endoparasitism revealed that dogs >1 year of age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64), dogs dewormed at least once per year (OR = 0.35), and dogs tested during spring, summer, and autumn (OR = 0.51, 0.15, and 0.20, respectively) had a significantly lower risk compared with ≤1 year old dogs, dogs not dewormed, or dogs tested during winter. The odds of a dog to be diagnosed positive for endoparasites was 1.56 times higher for dogs living together with other pets than that for a dog without other dogs or cats.

During 2008 to 2011, faecal samples, ear swabs, and ectoparasites obtained by full body search and total body comb were collected from 252 cats originating from the greater Tirana area. Faecal samples were examined using the McMaster and Baermann techniques, and a subset of 58 samples was tested for Giardia-specific antigen using a coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ear swabs were examined for the presence of parasitic mites. Overall, almost 93 % of the cats were identified harbouring one or more parasites: 59.1 % (95 % confidence interval (CI), 53.0–65.0) and 86.9 % (95 % CI, 82.7–91.1) of the cats tested positive for ecto- or endoparasites, respectively; 53.2 % of the cats had evidence for concomitant ectoparasite infestation and endoparasite infection. For ectoparasite infestation, prevalence was 52.0 % for total fleas (Ctenocephalides felis, 51.2 %; Ctenocephalides canis, 2.0 %; and Leptopsylla segnis, 0.4 %), 8.3 % each for Felicola subrostratus and Otodectes cynotis and 4.0 % for Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. The most prevalent endoparasites were Toxocara ascarids (48.0 %), followed by Aelurostrongylus lungworms (39.7 %), Capillaria spp. (31.7 %), hookworms (32.9 %), dipylidiid cestodes (27.8 %), Cystoisospora spp. (23.4 %) and taeniid cestodes (2.0 %). One animal was found shedding Pseudamphistomum truncatum eggs. Giardia-specific antigen was detected in 29.3 % of the 58 cats tested. Mixed infections with up to six endoparasites concurrently (excluding Giardia) and mixed infestations with two or three species of ectoparasites were recorded in 73.1 and 22.8 % of the parasite-positive cats, respectively. Cats ≤9 months of age were more frequently tested (p < 0.05) positive for Toxocara and Cystoisospora infections than cats >9 months while these cats tested more often (p < 0.05) Aelurostrongylus-positive compared with the younger cats. The prevalence of infestation with ectoparasites did not differ between the cats of these two age groups. Given the impact that some of the parasites may have upon animal health as well as the zoonotic potential of some of them, measures should be taken to minimise the transmission of these parasites.

The aim of the study was to describe the clinicopathological findings in dogs naturally infected with Babesia. During the period of February 2011-February 2012 twenty-nine cases of Babesia Canis were diagnosed in the clinic of Small Animal at the Veterinary Faculty of Tirana. The animal was considered infected when pear shaped babesia was observed inside infected erythrocytes in Wright-Giemsa stained blood smears. The animal stay for one week in our clinic and during this period we evaluated the canine babesiosis cases by means of clinical history, physical examination, hematological and biochemical tests. Based in the clinical sing of babesia the animal was divided in two groups with uncomplicated and complicate babesia. The duration of clinical signs ranged from 1 to 5 days prior to the arrival at the clinic and all the animals were positive with B. c. canis infections. The main clinical signs were dehydration and anemia in (79%), apathy (74%), anorexia or decrease appetite (70%) and fever (68%). The anemia was present in the dogs and classified severe (13%) as mild (45%), and moderate (52%) of all the cases. In conclusion, the main clinicopathological findings were a mild to moderate hemolytic anemia and mild to severe thrombocytopenia.