This project tested the safety and efficacy of the glovebox formulation of a methylene blue antidote to reduce PAPP toxicosis and revive an affected animal (i.e. working or pet dog).
Results from these trials showed that these formulations were not effective in reducing PAPP toxicosis, and as such the antidote is still only available as an intravenous administration by a veterinary practitioner.
Background to project for context:
In June 2016, two new baits for wild dogs (DOGABAIT®) and fox (FOXECUTE®) control containing the PAPP toxin were launched. One of the positive aspects of the PAPP toxin is that it has an effective antidote if a working or pet dog accidentally eats a bait. However, the only approved methylene blue antidote product needs to be injected intravenously by a registered veterinarian within at least 60 minutes from ingestion.
Since 2007, the Blue-Healer project (funded previously through the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre) has evaluated the safety and efficacy of different methylene blue formulations and routes of administration with the goal that owners could treat accidentally poisoned working or pet dogs. This is a very challenging research task and no dog owner administered product is yet to be approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
However, despite the size of the challenge ahead, researchers still aimed to deliver one.
This stage of the Blue Healer project included testing an administration method that dog owners could use safely and, if that testing proves successful, to submit a registration application to the APVMA for a new veterinary medicine that dog owners and vets can both use.
