Dose-Determination Research
In preliminary research, a regimen dosing Exzolt at 0.5 mg/kg BW twice at a 7-day interval was identified as the most effective method for the treatment of induced red mite infestations on hens.1 This regimen provided sufficient mite killing efficacy against D. gallinae for at least 15 days and was thus able to span the targeted 2 mite life cycles. Other single-dose treatments, even those of higher drug concentration, did not provide persistent efficacy for 15 days.
Exzolt provided an efficacy profile against Northern Fowl Mites similar to that provided for Poultry Red Mites, even under a ‘worst case’ test scenario involving permanent re-infestation of treated birds due to the continuous presence of untreated mite-source hens in the same pen. For Northern Fowl Mite data and full details see dose-confirmation studies.
A second study evaluated only 2-dose regimens where Exzolt was administered at a 7-day interval at 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg BW to hens artificially challenged with red mites.1
- A controlled, randomized dose-determination study. On day -12, hens were allocated to 4 treatment groups according to BW, 8 birds group.
- Exzolt treatments were administered via drinking water (first dose=day 0) as follows:
- Group A: untreated control group
- Group B: 0.25 mg fluralaner/kg BW/day twice 7 days apart
- Group C: 0.5 mg fluralaner/kg BW/day twice 7 days apart
- Group D: 1.0 mg fluralaner/kg BW/day twice 7 days apart
- Each hen was artificially infested with D. gallinae every 3 to 4 days until day 26.
- The numbers of dead, damaged, and live mites were counted 24 hours after each mite infestation to allow for determination of acaricidal effect.
- Mite mortality and inhibition were calculated for each treatment group at each time-point.
Efficacy Criteria
Efficacy assessment was based on percent of mite mortality for treated birds as compared to the negative controls, and the duration of high efficacy.
RESULTS
All 3 Exzolt treatment groups experienced high mite mortality and inhibition (most 100%) for 1 to 5 days after each dose, while only 2.7% mite mortality was observed in controls. The low-dose group (B, 0.25 mg/kg) did not provide suitable efficacy for 15 days. In contrast, Group C birds (0.5 mg/kg) demonstrated consistent 100% efficacy against Poultry Red Mites, providing complete mortality for 15 days (Figure 5-1). The high-dose group (D, 1.0 mg/kg) did not show a significant additional benefit to justify the greater dose.
CONCLUSION
The Exzolt dosage regimen of 0.5 mg fluralaner/kg BW twice at a 7-day interval achieved 100% mite-killing efficacy for at least 15 days, thus meeting the target efficacy duration spanning 2 mite development cycles.
1 Data on file. MSD Animal Health.
Mixing & Administration Guide
The Exzolt Mixing and Administration Guide provides a concise, step-by-step outline to help practitioners and producers get started with proper administration of medication for treatment. The guide provides instruction to ensure Exzolt is dosed, mixed and used correctly.
