Preliminary findings of wētā susceptibility to fluralaner, a common antiparasitic treatment for pets
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Authors
McMenamin, Chloe
Goodwin, Ben
Marsh, M.
Cameron, Kristie
Goodwin, Ben
Marsh, M.
Cameron, Kristie
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Date
2024-11
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Conference Contribution - Oral Presentation
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Aotearoa
New Zealand
crickets (Teleogryllus commodus)
fluralaner
companion animals
parasites
topical treatments
conservation
wētā (Hemiandrous spp)
New Zealand
crickets (Teleogryllus commodus)
fluralaner
companion animals
parasites
topical treatments
conservation
wētā (Hemiandrous spp)
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
McMenamin, C M., Goodwin, B G., Marsh, M M., & Cameron, K E C. (2024, November, 25-29). Preliminary findings of wētā susceptibility to fluralaner, a common antiparasitic treatment for pets [Paper presentation]. New Zealand Ecological Society Conference, Rotorua.
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6862
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Antiparasitic treatments for companion animals are approved based on the understanding that their benefits outweigh potential harm. However, when these treatments are administered to large populations of healthy companion animals, the environmental impact of thousands of doses annually may not justify the benefits to Aotearoa New Zealand unique ecosystem. Fluralaner, a commonly used broad spectrum antiparasitic treatment in companion animals, is categorised as an isoxazoline insecticide and acaricide. It is a relatively recent addition to the market, initially approved for use by topical treatment in cats and dogs in 2015 in New Zealand. This study aims to investigate the impact of fluralaner on native invertebrates in Aotearoa New Zealand. Method The efficacy of fluralaner on native invertebrates endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand was evaluated through topical application to the thorax of Teleogryllus Commodus (field crickets) a taxonomically similar species to the New Zealand ground wētā (hemiandrous spp). Observations of behavioural changes were made at 1 hour, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-application.
RESULTS
Contact exposure to fluralaner did not cause consistent mortality. However, an affect - unable to move away from noxious stimuli but still responsive, on the back but unable to move away from noxious stimuli , hyperextended legs with ability to still upright - was seen at concentrations as low as 2 mg/mL (66% were affected at 24 hours). The LC50 was observed at 14 mg/mL at 24 hours.
CONCLUSION
The environmental impact from runoff or through excretions from the use of commonly used antiparasitic drugs in companion animal species requires further investigation. With concentrations as low as 2 mg/mL causing an effect on Teleogryllus commodus at 24 hours, further investigation is required on pathways to the environment, accumulative effects, the effects of this drug on non-target organism unique to Aotearoa New Zealand and potential hotspot location of environmental contamination.
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