Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Railliet, 1898 (Railliet, 1898)

Barutzki, Dieter & Schaper, Roland, 2013, Occurrence and regional distribution of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats in Germany, Parasitology Research (855) 112 (2), pp. 855-861 : 860

Treatment of A. abstrusus infections

Currently, there is no licenced drug available in Germany for the treatment of aelurostrongylosis. There is published evidence of successful treatment of the infection with a number of different anthelmintics. Roberson and Burke (1980) demonstrated partial efficacy of fenbendazole when administered orally over three consecutive days at 50 mg /kg bw against adult parasites and transitory effects on larval shedding in experimentally infected cats. Hamilton et al. (1984) reported successful treatment of aelurostrongylosis in cats with fenbendazole given at 50 mg /kg bw over more than three consecutive days.

Schmid and Duewel (1990) and Barrs et al. (1999) confirmed the efficacy of fenbendazole at 50 mg /kg bw if administered over three consecutive days. An 18.75 % fenbendazole paste formulation administered at that dose and treatment interval is licensed in the UK for this indication.

Macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin and selamectin) have been evaluated in natural A. abstrusus infection in various doses and treatment regimens in a few reports, although they were not considered to be completely satisfactory due to only partial efficacy or the need for repeated administration ( Kirkpatrick and Megella 1987; Blagburn et al. 1987; Grandi et al. 2005).

More recently, Traversa et al. (2009a, b) published data from a comparative study involving the 18.75 % fenbendazole paste (Panacur® MSD) administered at 50 mg /kg bw over three consecutive days, moxidectin (Advocate® Bayer) administered at 1 mg /kg bw moxidectin/ 10 mg imidacloprid given once as a spot-on treatment, and emodepside (Profender® Bayer) administered at 3 mg /kg bw emodepside/ 12 mg /kg bw praziquantel given once as a spot-on treatment. All products successfully eliminated larval shedding in naturally infected cats. Treatment of indocile and feral cats that may more often be infected with the parasite is difficult, especially when oral administration over a longer period is required. Application of a spot-on formulation, in contrast, is easier, will achieve a higher compliance rate and offers a worthwhile alternative to orally administered products.