TY - JOUR
T1 - The use of Cydectin® by wildlife carers to treat sarcoptic mange in free-ranging bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus)
AU - Old, Julie M.
AU - Skelton, Candice J.A.
AU - Stannard, Hayley J.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was funded by the Wombat Protection Society of Australia.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Crown.
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Wombats
suffer from sarcoptic mange, a mite infection that ultimately leads to
their death from secondary infections. In 2017, wildlife carers were
granted legal approval to treat bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus)
for sarcoptic mange in the field using 4 mL of topical Cydectin® per
adult wombat. However, (limited) scientific field trials suggest
approved protocols are inadequate which has been supported anecdotally
by wildlife carers. Elucidating carer experience is key to holistically
advancing understandings of sarcoptic mange treatment. We interviewed 18
wildlife carers regarding the use of Cydectin® to treat free-ranging
adult wombats infected with sarcoptic mange which uncovered 43 detailed
case studies for examination. Case studies revealed that wildlife carers
have used 10–200-mL doses of topical Cydectin® to treat wombats to
recovery. These results suggest there is no best-fit for treating
wombats in the field, due to individual differences in observed levels
of sarcoptic mange severity and differences in wombat behavior.
Furthermore, wildlife carers suggested pour-on Cydectin® appeared
non-toxic to wombats at rates as high as 200 mL per treatment. We
recommend scientific trials should be undertaken to determine the impact
and efficacy of the varying treatment regimens, including low and high
doses of topical Cydectin® on bare-nosed wombats. This information is
required for regulating authorities, and subsequently wildlife carers,
and managers, to make fully informed decisions about wombat sarcoptic
mange treatment.
AB - Wombats
suffer from sarcoptic mange, a mite infection that ultimately leads to
their death from secondary infections. In 2017, wildlife carers were
granted legal approval to treat bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus)
for sarcoptic mange in the field using 4 mL of topical Cydectin® per
adult wombat. However, (limited) scientific field trials suggest
approved protocols are inadequate which has been supported anecdotally
by wildlife carers. Elucidating carer experience is key to holistically
advancing understandings of sarcoptic mange treatment. We interviewed 18
wildlife carers regarding the use of Cydectin® to treat free-ranging
adult wombats infected with sarcoptic mange which uncovered 43 detailed
case studies for examination. Case studies revealed that wildlife carers
have used 10–200-mL doses of topical Cydectin® to treat wombats to
recovery. These results suggest there is no best-fit for treating
wombats in the field, due to individual differences in observed levels
of sarcoptic mange severity and differences in wombat behavior.
Furthermore, wildlife carers suggested pour-on Cydectin® appeared
non-toxic to wombats at rates as high as 200 mL per treatment. We
recommend scientific trials should be undertaken to determine the impact
and efficacy of the varying treatment regimens, including low and high
doses of topical Cydectin® on bare-nosed wombats. This information is
required for regulating authorities, and subsequently wildlife carers,
and managers, to make fully informed decisions about wombat sarcoptic
mange treatment.
KW - Disease
KW - Marsupial
KW - Parasite
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U2 - 10.1007/s00436-020-07012-8
DO - 10.1007/s00436-020-07012-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 33438043
AN - SCOPUS:85099398910
VL - 120
SP - 1077
EP - 1090
JO - Parasitology Research
JF - Parasitology Research
SN - 0932-0113
IS - 3
ER -