Efficacy of Sustained-Release Formulation of Moxidectin (Guardian SR) in Preventing Heartworm Infection over 18 Months in Dogs Living in a Hyperendemic Area
This study investigates the efficacy of a sustained-release (SR) moxidectin microsphere formulation in preventing canine heartworm infection over 18 months in Canary Hound dogs, a hunting breed common in the Canary Islands, which is a hyperendemic region. These dogs typically do not receive preventi...
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| author | Agustina Isabel Quintana-Mayor Elena Carretón José Alberto Montoya-Alonso |
| author_facet | Agustina Isabel Quintana-Mayor Elena Carretón José Alberto Montoya-Alonso |
| author_sort | Agustina Isabel Quintana-Mayor |
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| description | This study investigates the efficacy of a sustained-release (SR) moxidectin microsphere formulation in preventing canine heartworm infection over 18 months in Canary Hound dogs, a hunting breed common in the Canary Islands, which is a hyperendemic region. These dogs typically do not receive preventive treatments and act as reservoirs for the disease. This field study was conducted across 11 hunting kennels with 109 dogs living outdoors, none of whom were receiving heartworm prophylaxis, with <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> prevalence ranging from 11.1% to 57.1% (average 36.7%). Among these, 20 clinically healthy, heartworm-negative dogs were randomly selected to receive a single subcutaneous injection of moxidectin SR (0.17 mg/kg body weight). Antigen and Knott’s tests were performed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. All dogs completed the study without adverse reactions and remained heartworm-negative throughout. By the end of the study, kennel heartworm prevalence ranged from 14.3% to 46.7% (average 35.4%). A single subcutaneous dose of moxidectin SR at the recommended dosage may prevent patent heartworm infection in dogs for up to 18 months in hyperendemic regions. Further studies are required to confirm these findings. Extending the efficacy period of moxidectin could improve owner compliance, particularly among those with lower animal health awareness. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-14a03a2ba3a642c3b03e29be2ecbf3dd |
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| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-14a03a2ba3a642c3b03e29be2ecbf3dd2025-08-20T02:11:01ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-10-011420300110.3390/ani14203001Efficacy of Sustained-Release Formulation of Moxidectin (Guardian SR) in Preventing Heartworm Infection over 18 Months in Dogs Living in a Hyperendemic AreaAgustina Isabel Quintana-Mayor0Elena Carretón1José Alberto Montoya-Alonso2“El Parque” Veterinary Center, C/ María Encarnación Navarro no. 42 Local Bajo, 35200 Telde, SpainInternal Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Therapeutic Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, SpainInternal Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Therapeutic Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, SpainThis study investigates the efficacy of a sustained-release (SR) moxidectin microsphere formulation in preventing canine heartworm infection over 18 months in Canary Hound dogs, a hunting breed common in the Canary Islands, which is a hyperendemic region. These dogs typically do not receive preventive treatments and act as reservoirs for the disease. This field study was conducted across 11 hunting kennels with 109 dogs living outdoors, none of whom were receiving heartworm prophylaxis, with <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> prevalence ranging from 11.1% to 57.1% (average 36.7%). Among these, 20 clinically healthy, heartworm-negative dogs were randomly selected to receive a single subcutaneous injection of moxidectin SR (0.17 mg/kg body weight). Antigen and Knott’s tests were performed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. All dogs completed the study without adverse reactions and remained heartworm-negative throughout. By the end of the study, kennel heartworm prevalence ranged from 14.3% to 46.7% (average 35.4%). A single subcutaneous dose of moxidectin SR at the recommended dosage may prevent patent heartworm infection in dogs for up to 18 months in hyperendemic regions. Further studies are required to confirm these findings. Extending the efficacy period of moxidectin could improve owner compliance, particularly among those with lower animal health awareness.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/20/3001<i>Dirofilaria immitis</i>heartwormchemoprophylaxiscaninemacrocyclic lactonesmoxidectin |
| spellingShingle | Agustina Isabel Quintana-Mayor Elena Carretón José Alberto Montoya-Alonso Efficacy of Sustained-Release Formulation of Moxidectin (Guardian SR) in Preventing Heartworm Infection over 18 Months in Dogs Living in a Hyperendemic Area Animals <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> heartworm chemoprophylaxis canine macrocyclic lactones moxidectin |
| title | Efficacy of Sustained-Release Formulation of Moxidectin (Guardian SR) in Preventing Heartworm Infection over 18 Months in Dogs Living in a Hyperendemic Area |
| title_full | Efficacy of Sustained-Release Formulation of Moxidectin (Guardian SR) in Preventing Heartworm Infection over 18 Months in Dogs Living in a Hyperendemic Area |
| title_fullStr | Efficacy of Sustained-Release Formulation of Moxidectin (Guardian SR) in Preventing Heartworm Infection over 18 Months in Dogs Living in a Hyperendemic Area |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficacy of Sustained-Release Formulation of Moxidectin (Guardian SR) in Preventing Heartworm Infection over 18 Months in Dogs Living in a Hyperendemic Area |
| title_short | Efficacy of Sustained-Release Formulation of Moxidectin (Guardian SR) in Preventing Heartworm Infection over 18 Months in Dogs Living in a Hyperendemic Area |
| title_sort | efficacy of sustained release formulation of moxidectin guardian sr in preventing heartworm infection over 18 months in dogs living in a hyperendemic area |
| topic | <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> heartworm chemoprophylaxis canine macrocyclic lactones moxidectin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/20/3001 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT agustinaisabelquintanamayor efficacyofsustainedreleaseformulationofmoxidectinguardiansrinpreventingheartworminfectionover18monthsindogslivinginahyperendemicarea AT elenacarreton efficacyofsustainedreleaseformulationofmoxidectinguardiansrinpreventingheartworminfectionover18monthsindogslivinginahyperendemicarea AT josealbertomontoyaalonso efficacyofsustainedreleaseformulationofmoxidectinguardiansrinpreventingheartworminfectionover18monthsindogslivinginahyperendemicarea |