Christiaan Blignaut, [11 Jun 2024 at 09:28:11]: Good morning everyone. I need advice on big cat parasite control. I have a client who have been treating captive lions, tigers, leopards, cheetah and serval with Bravecto and Nexgard for a couple of years. I advised them to move away from using these drugs, but would like to give them proper options? Can anyone make suggestions please? Keep in mind spray ons don't work. We have tried frontline. Thanks Chris Perkins, [11 Jun 2024 at 09:29:33]: Is there a reason to move away? Christiaan Blignaut, [11 Jun 2024 at 11:55:22]: I was advised that Bravecto/Nexgard oral off label use can cause problems in these cats. I have diagnosed one serval with hepatosis. Adrian Tordiffe, [11 Jun 2024 at 12:30:58]: I routinely use these isoxazolines in the big cats, and for many parasites (e.g. Sarcoptes) they are the only products that are effective. I have not encountered any significant side effects, but then I am very careful in: 1) Considering the half-life as possibly being twice as long as for domestic species 2) Only using them when parasites are diagnosed rather than just using them for routine prophylaxis 3) Being very careful not to use macrocyclic lactones concurrently Chris Perkins, [11 Jun 2024 at 13:55:17 (11 Jun 2024 at 15:19:55)]: Okay. Interesting, and good to know. I did see something about its use in a human case but haven’t had time to read up more. I was considering using these on a walrus with nasal mites. I was already cautious, just with the seizure knowledge. Ivermectin works temporarily but I think that’s only because we don’t know how the mite gets there or it’s life cycle.
