Amitraz

Formulations: Topical: 12.5% w/v concentrated liquid;

Action: Increases neuronal activity through its action on octopamine receptors of mites.

Use:

1. To treat generalized mite infestation, specifically canine demodicosis and sarcoptic acariasis.

2. Dip to be left on coat.

3. Clipping long hair coats will improve penetration.

4. Monthly application of the spot-on product for demodicosis is not uniformly effective. Concurrent bacterial skin infections should be treated appropriately.

5. Treatment and prevention of fleas and ticks, and treatment of lice and demodicosis in dogs & calves.

6. Use with care in small dogs.

7. Used for generalized demodicosis in ferrets and hamsters and for acariasis in rodents.

Safety and handling: Do not store diluted product.

LD50:

Oral LD50, rat, acute:  800 mg/kg

Dermal LD50, rat, acute: >1600 mg/kg

Mechanism of action of amitraz

The acaricidal activity of amitraz is due to its antagonistic effect on octopamine receptors of the nerve cells in the brain. Parasites become hyperexcited, paralyzed and eventually die. This mode of action is different from those of

synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphates and other ectoparasiticides.

Contraindications:  Do not use in dogs and calves <3 months (<8 weeks for spot-on product), in Chihuahuas, diabetic animals.

 WARNING !!!: Never use on cats collars approved only for dogs.

Adverse reactions: Sedation and bradycardia; Antidote - alpha-2 antagonist, e.g. atipamezole. Can cause irritation of the skin.

Drug interactions: No information available.

DOSES

Large and small ruminants:•

1. Tick control / Earsore / Humpsore – 2ml per liter of water

2. Mites – 4ml per liter of water

3. Sheep & Goat seasonal dipping – 2ml per liter of water

Dogs:•

1. Generalized demodicosis: 2 ml Amitraz per liter of water q5–7d until two negative skin scrapings/hair plucks are achieved 2 weeks apart.

2. Sarcoptic acariasis: 1 ml Amitraz per liter of water weekly for 2–6 weeks.

3. Prophylactic: spot-on product: 20 mg/kg each amitraz and metaflumizone monthly.

Cats:   Avoid in Cats

Small mammals: Ferrets, Guinea Pigs, Rats and Mice: (1 ml Amitraz concentrated liquid in 1 liter water) applied topically to skin q14d for 3–6 treatments;

Birds, Reptiles: No information available.

Brands in market: Demonil, Virtraz,

Note: This article IS NOT A PRODUCT LABEL. It offers complementary information that may be useful to veterinary professionals and users that are not familiar with veterinary antiparasitics.

x