Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 19:04:31 GMT

[quote userid="2637" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/dermatology/f/discussions/30372/treatment-for-trombicula-autumnalis-harvest-mite/238478#238478"]However Frontline is not licensed for daily use ,nor for Harvest mite prevention . [/quote]

It's mentioned on the data sheet by name, so the closest thing to being licenced:

"The product may aid in the control of a number of ectoparasite species in dogs and cats, including Neotrombicula autumnalis, Sarcoptes spp. and Cheyletiella spp.

[quote userid="7811" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/dermatology/f/discussions/30372/treatment-for-trombicula-autumnalis-harvest-mite/238484#238484"]I thought the issue with harvest mites was that they didn't bite[/quote]

Oh yes they do:

"The larvae insert their mouthparts into the host's skin and inject cytolytic enzymes. They then feed on partly digested host tissue causing irritation "

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Julie Innes — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 12:14:01 GMT

I've always used fipronil spray, as suggested above by applying with cotton wool to affected areas. I thought the issue with harvest mites was that they didn't bite (so are impervious to spot-ons etc)and caused irritation just wandering around with their little hairy legs!!

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Julian Earl — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 11:25:50 GMT

Hi Paul, How are you and yours doing nowadays? Not seen you atL incs BVA- meetings for a while no of course! Stay safe and well my friend! TTFN!

I presume Daphne will restart the meetings when posble?

Julian

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Paul Dowie — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 21:06:21 GMT

I regularly used Seleen Shampoo when it was available and it was licensed and it worked! Now the Human version is Selsun shampoo.So clients can happily buy that .It works ! In our area Nottinghamshire , Seasonal canine illness is a regular feature so it is reassuring to know this is an option . Clearly one has to inform them that it is not licensed . However Frontline is not licensed for daily use ,nor for Harvest mite prevention .

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Silvia Maldonado — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 10:17:26 GMT

I bet Frenchie plan B is very popular

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Julian Earl — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:08:12 GMT

Just remembered that focal application of Nuvan Top!! [ remember that??] seemed to work pretty ell combined with anti-inflammatories eg Dexafort etc? The area need to be effectively be drenched in the spray for it to work as I recall!

HTH?

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Martin McDowell — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:42:13 GMT

Thanks Judith. Missed that one, probably because I was looking for Trombicula, not Neotrombicula

Treatment of Neotrombicula species infestation in cats using a 10% (w/v) fipronil topical spot-on formulation: a pilot study - PMC (nih.gov)

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Chris Geddes — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 12:57:30 GMT

Not any more. It is NFA-VPS now.

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Neil Wheadon — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 11:45:03 GMT

[quote userid="13891" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/dermatology/f/discussions/30372/treatment-for-trombicula-autumnalis-harvest-mite/238425#238425"]I found another paper in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Cadiergues and others (2017) Treatment of Neotrombicula species infestation in cats using a 10% (w/v) fipronil topical spot-on formulation: a pllot study, so more recent supportive evidence. First line of paper states that there isn't much data for treatment efficacy of Neotrombicula. I found spray more effective than spot on in practice though. We only had sporadic 'outbreaks' every few years in our area (North East).[/quote]

I like fipronil, but get the distinct impression that the spray is far better than the spot on. Looking at the data sheet, I'm not quite sure if there is enough product in the pipette, hence it has given itself a bad name as who gets every last drop on the animal?

I advise it quite a lot to multicat households where money is tight and only vets can sell it.

Neil

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

bob lehner — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 10:37:31 GMT

[quote userid="28703" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/dermatology/f/discussions/30372/treatment-for-trombicula-autumnalis-harvest-mite/238423#238423"]I am thinking of Frontlining myself.[/quote]

When I lived in the Dordogne, France, harvest mites were a nightmare every late summer, at the time of the grape harvesting. You only had to sit on your lawn to get infested. The local thing was to paint yourself with 'eau de vie' (mega strong home-brewed fruit brandy) to get rid of them.

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Judith Joyce — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 09:55:41 GMT

I found another paper in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Cadiergues and others (2017) Treatment of Neotrombicula species infestation in cats using a 10% (w/v) fipronil topical spot-on formulation: a pllot study, so more recent supportive evidence. First line of paper states that there isn't much data for treatment efficacy of Neotrombicula. I found spray more effective than spot on in practice though. We only had sporadic 'outbreaks' every few years in our area (North East).

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Jo Godsall — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 08:12:40 GMT

Dreading this time of year

My poly tunnel seems to be a literal hot bed and they savaged me last year. I am thinking of Frontlining myself. I guess I’d need to reapply every time I shower??

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Iain Richards — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 08:04:59 GMT

Nothing for it but frontline to the feet/belly and steroids. I'ev been suggested .2ml of dexadresson 3x a week as an alternative to DMV> Our village is a local hotspot. Literally!

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Julian Earl — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 12:54:40 GMT

Can I just add on a tangent that as a vet forced into unexpected early retirement, threads like this are excellent, allowing me to ponder cases and dredge my memory banks for what I ued to do? It took me at least two yearsto get used to the idea of not being a proper \Vet anymore, having wanted to be one since the age o for 8 years and reminds me that maybe I did not completely waste my five year's time at Liverpool as a student??!

If one plans a retirement eg for 6 months or nine month's time etc or whatever it is less of a shock to the system I would imagine? For me, one morning I was working doing my routine fertility-work for our biggest dairy client the next morning I was in an induced coma for the next 12days oblivious to the world! So thank you Arlo and everyone for helping me cope nowadays!! That dairy farmer Simon Jones. maker of Lincolnshire Poacher cheese likes to remind me of my last morning's work there on the 8th August 2012!

But thank you everyone concerned here on this site!!

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Julian Earl — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 12:44:04 GMT

Another vote for fipronil spray or "dunk"! for the feet not the whole cat ofcourse! I think the spot-on does not create a high enough dose/concentration at the extremities etc s is less ffective a.k.a. useless cf to the spray applied heavily o affected areas! Good luck, it is an underrated problem parasite i.m.o!! Physical removal with a fine flea comb helps as well if you can keep the cat still enough to wor4k around the feet and legs?

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Martin McDowell — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 11:05:19 GMT

This was the only useful article I found Treatment of Trombicula autumnalis infestation in dogs and cats with a 0·25 per cent fipronil pump spray - Nuttall - 1998 - Journal of Small Animal Practice - Wiley Online Library and its 24 years old!!

Will give Frontline a go, this was the treatment I used when I had my first harvest mite case in 2007. And would agree with you @boblehner that I would have thought the mode modern parasiticides would work.

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

bob lehner — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 10:31:05 GMT

I used to treat a lot of cats with harvest mites. Spray Frontline onto a wad of cotton wool, then rub between toes and pads of feet - and round the side of the face/ears.

Easier than trying to spray directly onto the cat.

(Would have thought the new products - Nexgard/Bravecto etc. would work, as they kill most creepy crawliest).

RE: Treatment for Trombicula autumnalis (Harvest mite)

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 08:51:36 GMT

Yes fipronil spray.

I always do whole cat once and then reapply weekly to feet, legs and axillae. Usually with a shot of steroid for immediate relief.