The efficacy of ivermectin and moxidectin for treatment of generalized canine demodicosis, was evaluated to detect the eventual occurrence of side effects caused by the use of these drugs, and to follow the treated dogs for 12 months after obtaining parasitologic cure. Of 63 dogs, 59% were females, 76% were defined as purebred and 67% had short hair. Ivermectin (0.6mg/kg/daily) was orally administered to 31 dogs and moxidectin (0.5mg/kg/every 72 hours) to 32 dogs. The average number of days to obtain the first negative skin scraping results and the parasitologic cure were, respectively, 90 and 130 days for ivermectin, and 108 and 147 days for moxidectin. Ivermectin caused fewer side effects (16.1%) than moxidectin (37.5%) (P<0.05). The percentages of relapse were, respectively, 10.3% and 13.0% when ivermectin and moxidectin were administered. No difference between protocols of therapy was found for percentage of relapse (P>0.67) and efficacy (P>0.61). Both drugs were effective and safe to treat generalized canine demodicosis: ivermectin 89.7% and moxidectin 87.0%.
canine demodicosis; demodectic mange; macrocyclic lactones; ivermectin; moxidectin
