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Effectiveness of a single application of 0·25% fipronil solution for the treatment of hirstiellosis in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana): an open-label study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2013

RANIA FARMAKI ,
CHRISA SIMOU ,
ELIAS PAPADOPOULOS ,
ALEXANDER F. KOUTINAS  and
MANOLIS N. SARIDOMICHELAKIS
RANIA FARMAKI
Affiliation:
Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Stavrou Voutyra Str. 11, GR-54627, Thessaloniki, Greece
CHRISA SIMOU
Affiliation:
School of Biology, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
ELIAS PAPADOPOULOS
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
ALEXANDER F. KOUTINAS
Affiliation:
Companion Animal Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Stavrou Voutyra Str. 11, GR-54627, Thessaloniki, Greece
MANOLIS N. SARIDOMICHELAKIS*
Affiliation:
Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43100 Karditsa, Greece
*
*Corresponding author: Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, Trikalon Str. 224, GR-43100 Karditsa, Greece. E-mail: msarido@vet.uth.gr
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Summary

Hirstiella spp. are common ectoparasites of captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Suggested treatments are empirical and some of them are of low efficacy and potentially toxic. The objective of this open-label study was to investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of a single application of 0·25% fipronil solution for the treatment of hirstiellosis. The skin of 50 green iguanas was thoroughly examined with the aid of bright light and magnifying lenses. A total of 21 iguanas were found to be infested, harbouring 1–24 mites (median: 5). All 35 mites collected from 17 iguanas were identified as Hirstiella sp. Both infested and non-infested lizards, sharing the same enclosure, were carefully wiped with 0·25% fipronil solution. The safety and the efficacy of the treatment were evaluated after 2 days in 47/50 (94%) and 7 days in 29/50 (58%) iguanas. Compared with pre-treatment levels, the parasitic load did not changed significantly on the second day but was significantly lower on day 7 (P = 0·006). No adverse reactions were noticed. Based on these results a single whole-body application of 0·25% fipronil solution can be considered a safe and effective treatment for the reduction of parasitic burden in captive green iguanas infested by Hirstiella sp. mites.

Keywords

fipronilgreen iguanaHirstiella
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 140 , Issue 9 , August 2013 , pp. 1144 - 1148
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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