Terbinafine Implants in Veterinary Medicine
Terbinafine implants are slow-release, subcutaneous devices containing a measured dose of terbinafine, an antifungal agent, designed for long-term treatment of fungal infections in animals. They
How They Work
The implant is a sterilized, pre-loaded syringe with a needle tip. It delivers terbinafine (typically 24.5 mg per device) in a sustained-release format, maintaining therapeutic levels for weeks to months depending on the species and condition.. This avoids the need for repeated dosing and reduces stress from handling.
Common Uses
Snake fungal disease caused by Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in reptiles, cottonmouth snakes, implanted terbinafine reached therapeutic plasma levels on day 1 and remained effective for over 6 weeks. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28382637/
Ringworm Issues in Sheep/Cattle Cats/Dogs and others https://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/terbinafine-dogs-and-cats
White nose syndrome in bats (Geomyces destructans) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3408648/
The hellbender salamander https://bioone.org
Other systemic fungal infections in wildlife and exotic pets where long-term antifungal therapy is needed National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Advantages
Long-term therapy without daily dosing.
Reduced handling stress for wildlife and sensitive animals.
- Consistent drug levels for sustained antifungal effect