TITLE:
Control of Canine Endoparasites, Especially Isospora spp., with Procox® in Naturally Infected Puppies: Parasitological, Bacteriological and Health Parameters
AUTHORS:
Barbara Anna Rauscher, Sabine Schäfer-Somi, Monika Ehling-Schulz, Karin Möstl, Stefanie Handl, Barbara Hinney, Joachim Spergser, Roland Schaper, Anja Joachim
KEYWORDS:
Dog; Emodepside; Gut Health; Isospora; Toltrazuril; Toxocara; Vaccination
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine,
Vol.3 No.2,
June
6,
2013
ABSTRACT: The effect of Procox? (Bayer, emodepside/toltrazuril
suspension for dogs) against natural infections with Isospora spp. was investigated. Two groups were treated either with
0.5 ml suspension/kg of body weight (0.45 mg emodepside and 9 mg toltrazuril/kg
of body weight) in the 3rd, 5th and 7th week of
life (w.o.l.) (Procox? group; n = 28) or
with a control anthelminthic (Dewormed Control group; n = 26). Animals were surveyed
weekly from the 3rd w.o.l. by coproscopy and clinical examination. Faecal
samples were examined microbiologically from the 4th to the 8th w.o.l. and faecal inflammatory markers canine calprotectin and canine S100A12 were
measured in the 8th w.o.l. Specific antibody titres were evaluated in
serum samples from five litters before and after vaccination against canine distemper
virus and canine parvovirus 2. The prevalence of Isospora-positive animals increased to 67% in the Dewormed Control group
(n = 15 puppies from four parasite-positive litters), while in the Procox? group (n = 15 puppies) it was less than 34% with significantly lower excretion (p
? was easily applied
and effective; adverse effects did not occur. The level of seroconversion or titre
increase upon vaccination was higher in parasite-free animals (91%) compared to
Procox?-treated puppies (30%) and the Control
animals (10%). Animals from parasite-free litters showed significantly different
excretion patterns for haemolytic Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens, while
there was no difference between Procox?-treated
and Control animals. In some animals kept under poor hygienic conditions diarrhoea
was noted in association with C. perfringens, E. coli or Salmonella. Concentrations of inflammatory
markers in the faeces did not significantly differ between the Procox? and the Control group. Adequate control of parasitic and bacterial infections in
suckling puppies requires both antiparasitic treatment and hygiene. Even when parasites
do not cause overt effects treatment is recommended in cases with a history of parasite
infections.