Efficacy of Different Isoxazolines Against Natural Psoroptes cuniculi Infestation in Rabbits

Psoroptic mange caused by Psoroptes cuniculi is an important parasitic dermatopathy in rabbits and is commonly associated with pruritus, accumulation of ceruminous exudate, crust formation, and inflammatory auricular lesions. Although several isoxazolines have demonstrated efficacy against mite infestations in companion animals, information regarding their use in rabbits remains limited. The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of single-dose oral administration of afoxolaner, fluralaner, and sarolaner in rabbits naturally infested with P. cuniculi. Thirty-two New Zealand White rabbits were randomly allocated into four experimental groups (n = 8/group): untreated control, afoxolaner (2.5 mg/kg), fluralaner (25 mg/kg), or sarolaner (2 mg/kg). Parasitological and clinical evaluations were performed on Days 0, +3, +7, +14, +21, +28, and +35. Rabbits treated with afoxolaner and fluralaner achieved complete parasitological cure from Day +3 onwards, while those treated with sarolaner reached complete parasitological cure on Day +7. No significant differences in parasitological cure rates were observed among the treated groups after treatment (P > 0.05). All treated groups showed progressive clinical improvement throughout the study period. No adverse effects were observed following treatment administration. In contrast, rabbits from the untreated control group remained positive and showed persistence of clinical lesions throughout the experimental period. Under the conditions of this study, single-dose oral administration of afoxolaner, fluralaner, and sarolaner demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against natural P. cuniculi infestation in rabbits, supporting the potential use of isoxazolines for the treatment of psoroptic mange in this species.