Formulation and evaluation of thermoresponsive hydrogel loaded with ivermectin for antiparasitic application following mange infestation in cats

An abstract of the research paper was presented to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, in partial requirement for the course DVT 55204 – Research Project. Mange infestation in cats, caused by mites, is a health concern that can lead to symptoms such as crusty lesions and hair loss. One of the current practices is administering ivermectin by injection subcutaneously. Therefore in this study, the effectiveness of a new thermoresponsive hydrogel formulation that includes 1% ivermectin (v/v) as topical ivermectin for treating mange infestations in cats was investigated. The investigation examines six formulations with different polyethene glycol (PEG) concentrations, and assesses their physical properties, gelation temperature (Tgel) analysis, and rheological behaviour. Gelation temperatures reflect sensitivity to PEG concentration, with ivermectin influencing Tgel. Rheological assessments indicate non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic behaviour which is essential for optimising hydrogel dressings. Microscopic examination confirms the presence of Notoedres cati in all cats prior to treatment. Initial visual lesion assessments indicate crusty lesions and alopecia, with consistent scratching behavior. Post-treatment evaluations demonstrate lesion improvement in the treatment group, highlighting the potential of ivermectin-loaded hydrogels as future topical medication.
Keywords: Mange infestation, ivermectin, cats, topical treatment, crusty lesion, thermoresponsive hydrogel.