Simparica Trio and Demodex

Hello, Summarians!

Here are a couple of examples of how technology can improve our care.

If it is valuable to you please consider sending it on to a friend 😄 

VR Simulator for Anesthesia Traning

This study explored the introduction of a VR simulator to support veterinary education, specifically in teaching canine anesthesia induction and endotracheal intubation. Veterinary students were divided into two groups: one learned using only instructional videos, while the other used videos alongside the VR simulator. Third- and fourth-year students underwent a descriptive test, and fifth-year students' success rates in performing canine intubation were analyzed. The results indicated that the VR group achieved higher median descriptive test scores (63.3/100) compared to the video-only group (51.5/100). Practical success rates in canine intubation were also higher in the VR group (84.3%) than in the video group (77.4%). 

The VR simulator was well-received, with 90% of surveyed students reporting its ease of use and value in understanding procedures. Students appreciated the interactive and immersive features, which allowed them to follow guided steps, make choices, and correct mistakes in real-time. While the VR simulator proved effective in enhancing skill retention, challenges were noted, such as the difficulty of specific tasks and the strictness of assessments. Repeated use of the simulator was suggested to improve familiarity and operability. 

Limitations of the study included the single-session VR experience, which might have restricted students’ ability to fully grasp the content, and the lack of evaluation of long-term effects on memory consolidation and learning motivation. Nonetheless, the findings demonstrated the potential of VR simulators to enhance active learning, improve technical skills, and reduce reliance on live animals for training. Further research is recommended to evaluate the long-term impact of VR-based training on skill retention and student motivation while addressing usability challenges. This study highlights VR’s potential to transform veterinary education by promoting ethical considerations, enhancing skill acquisition, and fostering active learning. 

Yamauchi A, Oshita R, Kudo A, Umezawa M, Shimizu R, Kamo S, Fujita Y, Takagi S. Development of a virtual reality simulator for training canine endotracheal intubation technique and evaluation of the educational impacts. Vet J. 2024 Oct;307:106203. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106203.

Bottom line — Shows promise but more work is needed.

Monitoring Hay Particulate Matter

Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) significantly contributes to the development and exacerbation of asthma in horses. Horses exposed to increased PM levels can experience airway inflammation, obstruction, and remodeling. While human-defined PM size fractions, such as respirable PM (particles ≤4 μm) and PM10 (particles ≤10 μm), are relevant to equine respiratory health, horses confined to stalls are particularly susceptible to PM exposure due to factors like forage type and feeding methods. Hay, a complex organic PM source, is the primary forage for stabled horses. Soaking hay is a simple, cost-effective method to reduce PM exposure, though the extent of reduction has been incompletely characterized. 

To address this gap, this study introduced a wearable particulate monitor (BB monitor) specifically designed for horses, calibrated against an EPA-designated reference instrument under varying hay dust conditions. The study compared PM exposures when horses were fed dry hay versus soaked hay over short (20-minute) and extended (8-hour) durations. Calibration results showed strong correlations between the BB monitors and reference instruments for PM2.5 (r² > 0.86) and PM10 (r² > 0.91), though the BB monitors underestimated PM concentrations compared to the reference devices. This highlights the necessity of calibrating low-cost sensors with PM sources relevant to their intended use. 

The BB monitors demonstrated good precision and inter-unit agreement (CV = 13–14%), aligning with other studies on similar sensors. However, variations in temperature and humidity, known to affect sensor performance, were not included in calibration models, as the study was conducted under controlled environmental conditions. The BB monitors logged these variables for potential future analyses. 

In the cross-over trial, soaking hay reduced PM2.5 and PM10 exposures by 2–3 times compared to dry hay. Shorter 20-minute sampling windows overestimated exposure by a factor of 2 but still accurately reflected the exposure reduction achieved by soaking hay. This finding simplifies future field studies where extended sampling might be logistically challenging. Horses’ initial interactions with hay were identified as the primary source of PM exposure in conventional feeding, making this window a suitable measurement period under typical conditions. 

While respiratory health outcomes were not assessed, previous research indicates that feeding soaked hay improves lung function in horses with severe asthma. This study confirms that soaking hay effectively reduces PM exposure, supporting its use as a practical strategy to minimize airway inflammation. Additionally, the BB monitor proved reliable for measuring PM2.5 and PM10 exposures, providing calibrated correction factors and demonstrating good inter-unit consistency, thereby enabling robust individual exposure assessments. 

Ivester KM, Ni J-Q, Couetil LL, Peters TM, Tatum M, Willems L, et al. A wearable real-time particulate monitor demonstrates that soaking hay reduces dust exposure. Equine Vet J. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14425 

Bottom line — Confirms hay soaking works and individual monitoring can be done.

Demodex and Simparica Trio

Generalised demodicosis is a significant dermatological condition in dogs caused by the overgrowth of Demodex canis mites, which live in hair follicles and are transmitted from mother to pups shortly after birth. The disease is associated with genetic or immunological issues in juveniles and immunosuppressive conditions or medications in adults. Symptoms include alopecia, crusts, pustules, and secondary bacterial infections, which can lead to severe systemic illness. 

Diagnosis involves identifying mites through deep skin scrapings and monitoring treatment by counting mites until two consecutive samples are negative. Effective miticidal treatment is recommended for at least two months after achieving parasitological cure. Previously available miticidal treatments had varying efficacy and safety, but the introduction of isoxazoline-based ectoparasiticides, including sarolaner, has significantly improved management with less burden on owners. 

This study evaluated the efficacy of sarolaner at a minimal dose of 1.2 mg/kg in combination with moxidectin and pyrantel (SMP, Simparica Trio) compared to afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime (AM, Nexgard Spectra). Laboratory and field studies demonstrated that SMP, administered monthly, was well-tolerated and effective, with 98.6% of dogs achieving mite-free status after two doses. Results were consistent across different conditions and doses, indicating efficacy for both juvenile and adult demodicosis. 

SMP’s combination of active ingredients extends its utility to treating concurrent flea/tick infestations, preventing heartworm and lungworm infections, and addressing gastrointestinal nematodes. Its palatability and voluntary acceptance by dogs further ease its use, reducing the burden of care for owners and veterinarians. 

Becskei C, Liebenberg J, Fernandes T, Borowski S, D’Hanis L, Mahabir SP. Efficacy of a chewable tablet containing sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel for the treatment of generalised demodicosis in dogs. Vet Dermatol. 2025; 36: 34–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.13305 

Bottom line — Very effective.

Just putting things in perspective …