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Irish veterinary journal2017; 70; 22; doi: 10.1186/s13620-017-0100-2

Control of lice infestation in horses using a 10 mg/mL deltamethrin topical application.

Abstract: Two open-controlled studies evaluated the tolerance and the efficacy of a 10 mg/mL deltamethrin-based pour-on solution (Deltanil®; Virbac, France) in treating (study 1) and preventing (study 2) natural Damalinia equi infestations in horses. In study 1, seven adult horses received 10 mL of the solution from mane to tail head on day 0 (D0). Four adult horses, living separately, served as non-treated controls. All were naturally infected. Lice burden was recorded by counting the number of live parasites, bilaterally, over seven anatomic regions. Lesional score was based on alopecia, crusts, papules/pustules, nodules/plaques, scales and wounds, each assessed on a 0-3 scale. Evaluation was performed on D0 and subsequently weekly until D56 in treated horses and on D0 and D56 in control horses. In study 2, six adult horses free of parasites were similarly treated on D-2 and D30. Two adult horses, naturally infested with D. equi and left untreated, were mixed with the treated horses from D0 to D60. Evaluation was performed similarly to study 1 on all horses, fortnightly until D60. Results: No adverse event was recorded in either study. In study 1, parasite and lesional scores of control horses were maintained on D56. Parasite scores of the treated horses were reduced by 98% on D7 and 100% from D15 to D56 (mean [SD]: D0 44 [58.4]). Lesional score in treated horses was reduced by 24, 82, 47, 91, 96, 93, 93 and 100% on D7, 15, 21, 28, 35, 42, 50 and 56, respectively (mean [SD]: D0 3.1 [1.8]). In study 2, the lice populations remained high in the two control horses throughout the study (max mean [SD]: D0 159 [151.3], min D45 34 [39.6]). On treated animals, all parasite counts were negative except on D15 (one louse found). The protection rate was 99.7% on D15 and 100% from D30 to D60. Conclusions: A single application of the 10 mg/mL deltamethrin preparation was effective and safe in the treatment and in the prevention of lice infestation in these horses. It was also effective in preventing new infestations for one month.
Publication Date: 2017-06-19 PubMed ID: 28649361PubMed Central: PMC5477243DOI: 10.1186/s13620-017-0100-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research article explores the effectiveness and safety of using a 10 mg/mL deltamethrin-based solution on horses to treat and prevent lice infestations. The results show that the lice treatment was highly effective, reducing lice population by 100% after 15 days in treated horses and warding off new infestations for up to a month.

Study Detail and Procedure

  • In this research, two open-controlled studies were carried out. Both studies aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of a 10 mg/mL deltamethrin-based solution (Deltanil®; Virbac, France) in treating (study 1) and preventing (study 2) natural lice infestations in horses.
  • In the first study, seven adult horses received 10 mL of the deltamethrin solution from mane to tail head on day 0 (D0). Animals that were kept separately without any treatment were used for control. The severity of lice infestation was monitored by counting the number of live lice on each horse.
  • In the second study, six adult horses that were free of lice received the same treatment on D-2 and D30. Two naturally infested horses that were left untreated were mixed with the treated horses. The lice burden was evaluated similarly to the first study.

Results of the Study

  • The outcome of the studies demonstrated that the deltamethrin-based solution was safe to use on horses, as there were no recorded adverse events in either of the studies.
  • In Study 1, the treated horses experienced a reduction in parasite load by 98% on Day 7, and by 100% from Day 15 to Day 56.
  • In Study 2, the untreated horses maintained high lice populations throughout the study. In contrast, the treated horses had significantly lower parasite counts, with only one louse found on Day 15. The treatment provided 99.7% protection on Day 15, and 100% protection from Day 0 to Day 60.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that Deltanil®, a 10 mg/mL deltamethrin solution was effective and safe for treating and preventing lice infestation in horses. The solution was found to not only eliminate existing lice populations in treated horses but also successfully prevent new infestations for up to one month.

Cite This Article

APA
Castilla-Castaño E, Vischi A, Navarro C, Lecru LA, Ribeiro C, Pradier S, Cadiergues MC. (2017). Control of lice infestation in horses using a 10 mg/mL deltamethrin topical application. Ir Vet J, 70, 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-017-0100-2

Publication

ISSN: 0368-0762
NlmUniqueID: 0100762
Country: Ireland
Language: English
Volume: 70
Pages: 22

Researcher Affiliations

Castilla-Castaño, Eloy
  • Dermatology service, Small Animal Hospital, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France.
Vischi, Alessandro
  • Equine Unit, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France.
Navarro, Christelle
  • Companion Animal Medical Department, Virbac group 13ème rue-LID, 06511 Carros, France.
Lecru, Line Alice
  • Dermatology service, Small Animal Hospital, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France.
Ribeiro, Claudia
  • Dermatology service, Small Animal Hospital, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France.
Pradier, Sophie
  • Equine Unit, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France.
Cadiergues, Marie-Christine
  • UDEAR, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, ENVT, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France.

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