Efficacy of fluralaner flavored chews (Bravecto) administered to dogs against the adult cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis and egg production.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Fluralaner is a potent insecticide and acaricide with rapid and persistent efficacy. This study measured the efficacy of fluralaner flavored chews (Bravecto®, Merck Animal Health) administered to dogs against adult Ctenocephalides felis felis and egg production.

METHODS:

Twelve purpose-bred dogs were randomly allocated to two groups of six dogs each. Dogs in treatment group 1 were administered a single fluralaner flavored chew to achieve a minimum dose of at least 25 mg/kg while treatment group 2 served as untreated controls. On Days -2, 28, 56, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, and 120 post-treatment, each dog was infested with approximately 200 unfed cat fleas, C. felis felis (KS1 strain). Forty-eight hours after treatment and 48 h after each infestation, eggs were collected over a 3-h period, counted and viability determined. Dogs were combed to remove any remaining fleas.

RESULTS:

Treatment of dogs with oral fluralaner provided a 100% reduction in flea counts 48 h after treatment and within 48 h of every post-treatment infestation through Day122. Egg production from fluralaner treated dogs was reduced by 99.9% (two eggs from one dog) within 48 h after treatment and not a single egg (100% efficacy) was thereafter collected from treated dogs. Adult flea counts and egg production from the fluralaner-treated dogs were significantly lower than for non-treated controls at all post-treatment evaluations (P < 0.001). The two eggs collected from the single treated dog 48 h after treatment did not produce any adult fleas. As no additional eggs were collected from treated dogs, no viability assessment was performed.

CONCLUSIONS:

A single oral dose of fluralaner flavored chews provided 100% efficacy against repeated flea infestations on dogs for 4 months. Fluralaner reduced egg production of activity reproducing female fleas by 99.9% and then killed every single female flea before any eggs could be produced following each subsequent re-infestation for the entire 122-day evaluation period.

• Authors: Michael W Dryden, Vicki Smith, Tashina Bennett, Lisa Math, James Kallman, Kathleen Heaney, Fangshi Sun
• Journal: Parasites & vectors (Parasit Vectors) Vol. 8 Pg. 364 (Jul 11 2015) ISSN: 1756-3305 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26160349 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• A1443 compound
• Isoxazoles

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Cat Diseases (parasitology)
• Cats
• Ctenocephalides (drug effects, physiology)
• Dog Diseases (diagnosis, drug therapy, parasitology)
• Dogs
• Drug Evaluation
• Female
• Flea Infestations (diagnosis, drug therapy, parasitology, veterinary)
• Isoxazoles (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Parasite Egg Count