Efficacy of Emodepside plus Toltrazuril Suspension (Procox® Oral Suspension for Dogs) against Prepatent and Patent Infection with Isospora canis and Isospora ohioensis-Complex in Dogs

Abstract

Three randomised, blinded and placebo-controlled laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of emodepside plus toltrazuril suspension (Procox(®) suspension for dogs) against Isospora canis and Isospora ohioensis-complex. Unweaned puppies were experimentally infected with sporulated oocysts of I. canis and/or I. ohioensis-complex. In each study, one group was treated during prepatency (2 or 4 days post infection) while dogs in the second group were treated individually after the onset of oocyst excretion of the respective coccidia species. The dogs were treated with the minimum therapeutic dose of 0.45 mg emodepside and 9 mg toltrazuril per kg body weight. Daily faecal oocyst counts from both groups were compared to placebotreated control groups to determine efficacy.Dogs treated during prepatent I. canis or I. ohioensis-complex infection showed significantly lower oocyst counts for up to 12 days compared to the control group. Oocyst counts were reduced by 90.2 - 100 % while the control groups continued to exhibit an adequate infection, except for one study where efficacy against prepatent I. canis infection faded 13 days after treatment. Following treatment of patent I. canis or I. ohioensis-complex infections, significantly lowered oocyst counts were observed for up to 9 days compared to the control group. Faecal oocyst counts were reduced by 91.5 - 100 %. In all three studies the number of days with diarrhoea was significantly lower when dogs were treated during prepatent Isospora spp. infection compared to the control groups. No adverse drug reactions were observed during the studies. In conclusion, the studies demonstrated that emodepside plus toltrazuril suspension is an efficient coccidiocide for dogs.

Review of triazine antiprotozoal drugs used in veterinary medicine

“…Accessed March 13, 2017). Furthermore, ponazuril, an oxidized toltrazuril metabolite (toltrazuril sulfone), was investigated for antiprotozoal activity in horses, dogs, and cats (Altreuther, Gasda, Schroeder, et al., ; Furr, Quance, & Kennedy, ; Petry, Kruedewagen, Kampkoetter, & Krieger, ). Ponazuril (Marquis ® , Bayer Animal Health) and diclazuril (Protazil ® , Merck Animal Health) are currently indicated for use in horses for the treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).…”

“…Moreover, successful treatment using a combined nematocide emodepside and toltrazuril (Procox ® ) during the prepatent period following experimentally induced coccidiosis (Isospora spp.) has been observed in dogs (Altreuther, Gasda, Schroeder, et al, 2011) and cats (Petry et al, 2011). In naturally occurring Isospora infections following both positive oocyst fecal shedding and during the suspected prepatent period, toltrazuril administration effectively reduced oocyst counts by >98% in dogs (Altreuther, Gasda, Adler, et al, 2011).…”

Successful therapeutic management of canine Isosporosis in puppies

“…Similarly use of Sulfadimethoxine alone and in combination with ormetoprim has been proved effective in canines and felines (Wilkinson 1977;Dunbar and Foreyt 1985;Lindsay and Blagburn 1995). Administrations of emodepside plus toltrazuril suspension in combination with oral Amprolium have proven effectiveness against canine infection (Altreuther et al 2011). Anti-giardial drugs like metronidazole, tinidazole, quinacrine, and furazolidone have very limited effect but metronidazole has been reported successful in some cases (Trier et al 1974;Syrkis et al 1975;Butler and deBoer 1981;Hallak et al 1982;Forthal and Guest 1984;Weiss et al 1988).…”

“…The major aim of the treatment includes reduction of clinical signs along with reduction in faecal oocysts for interrupting the life cycle (Daugschies et al 2000;Buehl et al 2006). Supportive therapies like fluid administration are done depending on the severity of clinical signs which can enhance the recovery of the animals (Altreuther et al 2011). It was concluded that the canine Isosporosis can be clinically managed by use of trimethoprime and sulphamethoxazole along with supportive therapies and metronidazole.…”

“…plays a vital role. Isospora associated diarrhoea has been reported prior (Baek et al 1993) but the clinical manifestations may be due to secondary bacterial and viral infections of the compromised gut environment (Lindsay et al 1997;Lappin 2010;Altreuther et al 2011).…”