ORAL USE OF IVERMECTIN IN THE TREATMENT AND PROPHYLAXIS OF GENERALIZED CANINE DEMODICOSIS

The characteristics skin lesions of canine demodicosis are in fact signs of a complex, genetically determined defect of the animal's cellular immune system. These external manifestations have defied virtually all treatment attempts, including application of: gasoline, turpentine, sea water, DDT, alcohol, acetone, mineral oil, etc. This list includes essentially every chemical known to man. Currently used topical agents such as amitraz (Mitaban(R):Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) tend to be harsh, rigorous in application, often ineffective, and accompanied by sometimes serious side effects.1 An Alaskan Malamute was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 6 months and could not be treated with the conventional products. An oral treatment regimen was devised for her, using the bovine parasiticide, ivermectin (Ivomec(R):MSD-AgVet, Rahway, NJ). Readers should be cautioned that the results of this experimentation with different dosages and frequencies of administration form the basis of this case study and are presented from the perspective of a pharmacist/pet owner.