Abstract

Background:
Feline Mange caused by Notoedres cati requires a safe, suitable, and effective therapy.

Aim:
This study aimed to describe the clinical and parasitological findings of naturally occurring Notoedric Mange in cats in Yogyakarta City, Indonesia, and to evaluate the clinical response, mite clearance, and short-term safety profile following a single topical administration of a selamectin-sarolaner combination.

Methods:
The study included 30 cats showing signs suggestive of Notoedres mange. All cats underwent physical and parasitological examinations for mites, particularly N. cati. Microscopic examination was performed using skin scrapings, trichograms, and acetate tape imprints. Clinical lesions were assessed using the Notoedres-Induced Skin Lesion Score (NISLS), which combines lesion severity (0–3) and lesion distribution (0–2) into a total score ranging from 0 to 5. Cats confirmed to be infested with mites also underwent hematological and biochemical analyses, including assessments of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, glucose, total protein, and blood urea nitrogen. Confirmed cases received a single topical treatment of selamectin-sarolaner at a dose of 6 mg/kg selamectin and 1 mg/kg sarolaner, applied to the dorsal neck on day 1.

Results:
All cats were confirmed to be infested with N. cati and showed clinical signs, including erythema, alopecia, pruritus, and crusted pinnae. Following selamectin-sarolaner treatment, no live mites were detected in any cat on days 14 and 28; the observed live-mite clearance rate was 100% (30/30 cats; exact 95% CI, 88.4%–100.0%) at both follow-up points. Live mites were detected in all cats on days 14 and 28. Clinical improvement was also observed, including reduced lesion severity, inflammation resolution, and visible hair regrowth. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed during the 28-day observation period.

Conclusion:
A single topical administration of selamectin-sarolaner was associated with marked clinical improvement and clearance of live mites in cats naturally infested with N. cati during a 28-day follow-up period. However, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary treatment-associated outcomes because this study did not include an untreated or comparative control group and the observation period was limited. Further controlled studies with blinded assessment and longer follow-up are needed to confirm comparative efficacy, recurrence prevention, and long-term safety.

Key words: Clinical recovery; Feline scabies; Mite clearance; Notoedric Mange; Topical antiparasitic.