Field efficacy of Febantel, Pyrantel embonate and Praziquantel (Drontal® Tasty) against naturally acquired intestinal helminths of hunting dogs in southern Italy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dogs in rural areas and hunting dogs in particular, are at higher risk of intestinal helminth infections compared with family dogs. Thus, certain management practices including faecal/coprological analysis, implementing regular deworming protocols, post-treatment evaluations and high-quality hygiene are required in hunting dogs to maintain their health and activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of DrontalTasty (Vetoquinol S.A.) for the treatment of gastrointestinal helminths in naturally infected hunting dogs in Italy during the hunting and non-hunting season. METHODS: Hunting dogs (n = 387) faecal samples were collected from Campania and Basilicata regions, and study was divided into two phases: hunting (P1) and non-hunting (P2) periods. Each sample was screened using Mini-FLOTAC technique with ZnSOas flotation medium (SG: 1.350). The dogs (n = 142) were enrolled on the basis of pre-screening faecal egg counts at day 0 of P1. Dogs exhibiting ≥ 50 EPG species were treated on day 0 of P1 and sampled on day 0, 7 and 14 for faecal analysis. Dogs enrolled in P1 were again controlled in P2 (n = 128) regardless of EPG following the same scheme of P1. The primary criterion for treatment efficacy was the reduction of faecal egg count after D7 and D14 in both P1 and P2. RESULTS: The anthelmintic efficacy of DrontalTasty against Toxocara canis was 99.7% and 100% at day 14 in P1 and P2, respectively; for Toxascaris leonina 100% at day 14 in P1, for Ancylostomatidae 100% at day 14 in both P1 and P2; for Trichuris vulpis 88.6% and 99.8% at day 14 in P1 and P2, respectively. For Dipylidium caninum and Taeniidae no positive dogs were detected at day 14 in P1. Although drug is off label for the control of Capillaria spp. the Faecal Egg Count Reduction ranging from 42.1% to 84.5% in P1 and P2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DrontalTasty was well-tolerated and safe against major nematodes and cestodes in hunting dogs. It is the optimum choice to treat helminth infection in hunting dogs under field condition.