Haematological response in the treatment of naturally acquired ectoparasite infestations in rabbits

Walasinee Moonarmart, Mookmanee Tansakul, Chatkamol Kiewsiri, Ratchaya Watanaboonchai, Warinda Somrith, Chaowaphan Yinharnmingmongkol, Maturawan Tunhikorn
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2018.9823

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine changes in haematological values of topical administration of selamectin in rabbits with at least one species of naturally acquired ectoparasite infestation (Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi, Psoroptes cuniculi, or Cheyletiella spp). Thirty-five rabbits were enrolled. They underwent physical examination and assessment of ectoparasite infestations on days 0, 14, 28, 56 and 86. Blood for haematology and serum biochemistry was collected on days 0, 14, 28 and 56. Selamectin was topically applied at a dose of 15 mg/kg onto the skin on days 0, 14 and 28, respectively. No ectoparasites or eggs were found in these rabbits from day 28 onwards by skin scraping and/or tape cytology. Haematology and serum biochemistry values were within normal limit throughout the study. However, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio significantly decreased post-treatment from 2.89 (0.90-5.47) on day 0 to 1.38 (0.56-3.09), and 1.44 (0.42-4.47) on days 14 and 56, respectively. There were no adverse drug reactions or treatment-related mortalities during the study. This study indicated that selamectin was effective and safe in the treatment and prevent re-infestation for at least 58 d post-treatment. Moreover, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio could be used for monitoring of inflammatory response in rabbits.

Keywords

ectoparasite; hematology; lymphocyte; neutrophil; rabbit; selamectin

Full Text:

PDF

References

Amici A., Franci O., Mastroiacono P., Merendino N., Nardini M., Tomassi G. 2010. Short term acute heat stress in rabbits: functional, metabolic and immunological effects. World Rabbit Sci., 8: 11-16. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2000.412

Archetti I., Tittarelli C., Cerioli M., Brivio R., Grilli G., Lavazza A. 2008. Serum chemistry and hematology values in commercial rabbits: preliminary data from industrial farms in northern Italy. In Proc: 9th World Rabbit Congress, 10-13 June 2008. Verona, Italy. 1147-1151.

Belhassen T., Bonai A., Gerencsér Zs., Matics Zs., Tuboly T., Bergaoui R., Kovacs M. 2016. Effect of diet supplementation with live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, caecal ecosystem and health of growing rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 24: 191-200. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2016.3991

Bortolotti A., Castelli D., Bonati M. 1989. Hematology and serum chemistry values of adult, pregnant and newborn New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Lab. Anim. Sci., 39: 437-439.

Carpenter J.W., Dryden M.W., Kukanich B. 2012. Pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and adverse effects of selamectin following topical administration in flea-infested rabbits. Am. J. Vet. Res., 73: 562-566. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.73.4.562

Cray C. 2015. Reference Intervals in Avian and Exotic Hematology. Vet. Clin. North Am. Exot. Anim. Pract., 18: 105-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2014.09.006

Curtis C.F. 2004. Current trends in the treatment of Sarcoptes, Cheyletiella and Otodectes mite infestations in dogs and cats. Vet. Dermatol., 15: 108-114. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00362.x

Etim N., Williams M.E., Akpabio U., Offiong E. 2014. Haematological parameters and factors affecting their values. Agric. Sci., 2: 40. https://doi.org/10.12735/as.v2i1p37

Farmaki R., Koutinas A.F., Kasabalis D., Papazahariadou M.G., Day M.J. 2009. Effectiveness of a selamectin spot-on formulation in rabbits with sarcoptic mange. Vet. Rec., 164: 431-432. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.164.14.431

Faul F., Erdfelder E., Buchner A., Lang A.G. 2013. G*Power Version 3.1.7. Kiel University, Germany.

Fisher M., Beck W., Hutchinson M.J., 2007. Efficacy and safety of selamectin (Stronghold®/RevolutionTM) used off-label in exotic pets. Int. J. Appl. Res. Vet. Med., 5: 87-96.

Harcourt-Brown F.M., Baker S.J. 2001. Parathyroid hormone, haematological and biochemical parameters in relation to dental disease and husbandry in rabbits. J. Small. Anim. Pract., 42: 130-136. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2001.tb02009.x

Hinton M., Jones D.R., Festing M.F. 1982. Haematological findings in healthy and diseased rabbits, a multivariate analysis. Lab. Anim., 16: 123-129. https://doi.org/10.1258/002367782781110025

Kim S.-H., Lee J.-Y., Jun H.-K., Song K.-H., Park B.-K., Kim D.-H., 2008. Efficacy of selamectin in the treatment of cheyletiellosis in pet rabbits. Vet. Dermatol., 19: 26-27. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2007.00629.x

Kurtdede A., Karaer Z., Acar A., Guzel M., Cingi C.C., Ural K., Ica A. 2007. Use of selamectin for the treatment of psoroptic and sarcoptic mite infestation in rabbits. Vet. Dermatol., 18: 18-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2007.00563.x

Marshall K.L. 2008. Rabbit Hematology. Vet. Clin. North Am. Exot. Anim. Pract., 11: 551-567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2008.03.001

McTier T.L., Hair J.A., Walstrom D.J., Thompson L. 2003. Efficacy and safety of topical administration of selamectin for treatment of ear mite infestation in rabbits. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc., 223: 322-324. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2003.223.322

Melillo A. 2007. Rabbit Clinical Pathology. J. Exotic Pet Med., 16: 135-145. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2007.06.002 Mellgren M., Bergvall K. 2008. Treatment of rabbit cheyletiellosis with selamectin or ivermectin: a retrospective case study. Acta. Vet. Scand., 50: 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-50-1

Mikled C., Nakkitset S., Sonloi W., Tikam K. 2008. Situation of smallholder rabbit raising systems in the uplands of Thailand. In: MEKARN Rabbit Conference: Organic rabbit production from forages, Cantho University, Vietnam.

Moore D.M., Zimmerman K., Smith S.A. 2015. Hematological Assessment in Pet Rabbits: Blood Sample Collection and Blood Cell Identification. Vet. Clin. North Am. Exot. Anim. Pract., 18: 9-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2014.09.003

Özkan C., Kaya A., Akgül Y. 2012. Normal values of haematological and some biochemical parameters in serum and urine of New Zealand White rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 20: 253-259. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2012.1229

Shanks D.J., McTier T.L., Behan S., Pengo G., Genchi C., Bowman D.D., Holbert M.S., Smith D.G., Jernigan A.D., Rowan T.G. 2000. The efficacy of selamectin in the treatment of naturally acquired infestations of Sarcoptes scabiei on dogs. Vet. Parasitol., 91: 269-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(00)00298-3

Six R.H., Clemence R.G., Thomas C.A., Behan S., Boy M.G., Watson P., Benchaoui H.A., Clements P.J., Rowan T.G., Jernigan A.D., 2000. Efficacy and safety of selamectin against Sarcoptes scabiei on dogs and Otodectes cynotis on dogs and cats presented as veterinary patients. Vet. Parasitol., 91: 291-309. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(00)00300-9

Stancu C.A., Cărpinișan L., Ghișe A., Marcu A., Pentea M.C., Dumitrescu E., Muselin F., Militaru D., Cristina R.T. 2017. Clinical chemistry, haematology, immune response and histological evaluation of rabbits after immunisation and challenge with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus. World Rabbit Sci., 25: 357-365. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2017.7500

Sun Y., Dong G., Guangxin E., Liao M., Tao L., Lv J. 2018. The effects of low levels of aflatoxin B1 on health, growth performance and reproductivity in male rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 26: 123-133. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2018.7433

Toth L.A., January B., 1990. Physiological stabilization of rabbits after shipping. Lab. Anim. Sci., 40: 384-387.

Toth L.A., Krueger J.M., 1988. Alteration of sleep in rabbits by Staphylococcus aureus infection. Infect. Immun., 56: 1785-1791.

Varga M. 2014. Chapter 2 - Clinical Pathology, In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine (Second Edition). Butterworth-Heinemann, 111-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-4979-8.00002-9

Wall R., Shearer D., 2001. Veterinary ectoparasites: biology, pathology and control, 2nd Edition. Blackwell Sceince Ltd, Oxford, United Kingdom, 23-54. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470690505.ch2

Abstract Views

1201
Metrics Loading ...

Metrics powered by PLOS ALM


Bookmark and Share

 

Cited-By (articles included in Crossref)

This journal is a Crossref Cited-by Linking member. This list shows the references that citing the article automatically, if there are. For more information about the system please visit Crossref site

1. Short communication: prevalence of Eimeria spp. infection in domestic rabbits of Polish farms
Aleksandra Balicka-Ramisz, Łukasz Laurans, Kamil Pohorecki, Mirosława Batko, Anna Ramisz
World Rabbit Science  vol: 28  issue: 4  first page: 181  year: 2020  
doi: 10.4995/wrs.2020.10758



 

 Universitat Politècnica de València

 

Official journal of the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA)

 

e-ISSN: 1989-8886     ISSN: 1257-5011   https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs