Efficacy of eprinomectin treatment in a roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) infested with Lipoptena cervi and Lipoptena fortisetosa

Abstract This study examines the morphological characteristics of Lipoptena cervi Linnaeus, 1758 and Lipoptena fortisetosa Maa, 1965 in Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758 (roe deer) in Bulgaria, as well as treatment outcome. Both ectoparasite species were found on a 3.5‐year‐old female roe deer, representing the first confirmed case of these species on this host in the country. A total of 387 insects were collected and identified as L. cervi and L. fortisetosa based on their morphological characteristics. The roe deer was treated with eprinomectin (Unomec, 5 mg/mL) administered as a pour‐on solution at a dose of 1 mg/kg bodyweight. The treatment effectiveness was assessed on Day 3 post administration, revealing 100% efficacy under the conditions of this case. The successful treatment with eprinomectin indicates its potential as an effective remedy for lipoptenid infestations in roe deer. Although such infestations are generally considered non‐pathogenic in healthy wild cervids and do not routinely require treatment, this study contributes to the limited knowledge on treatment options for ectoparasitic infestations in wild cervids.