A randomized, blinded, controlled USA field study to assess the use of fluralaner topical solution in controlling canine flea infestations

Abstract

BackgroundOrally administered fluralaner effectively controls fleas and ticks on dogs for 12 weeks. This study evaluates the flea control efficacy achieved with topically applied fluralaner in dogs.MethodsThis investigator-blinded, multi-center randomized, positive controlled study evaluated flea control efficacy in dogs following a single owner-applied treatment of topical fluralaner. A positive control group received three treatments, at 4-week intervals, of a commercial formulation of fipronil/(S)-methoprene. All dogs in households randomized to the fluralaner group were dispensed an initial treatment at enrollment and a second treatment at week 12 for an additional 3-week observation of treatment safety. Households with up to five healthy dogs, all at least 12 weeks of age and weighing at least 2 kg (4.4 lb), were randomized in a ratio of 3:1 of fluralaner to positive control. Within households, one primary dog with at least 10 live fleas at enrollment was randomly selected. Flea counts were performed on all primary dogs every 4 weeks through week 12. Efficacy measurement was based on reduction from baseline flea counts. Treatment was considered effective if geometric mean live flea count reductions at weeks 4, 8, and 12 were 90% or greater and significantly different from counts at enrollment. In addition, for each time point the arithmetic mean live flea counts, the efficacy based on arithmetic means, the number and percentage of dogs with at least a 90% reduction in flea count, and the number and percentage of flea free dogs were calculated. Statistical comparisons were also made between treatment groups.ResultsAt 12 sites, across 10 states, 121 households (221 dogs) were randomized to receive fluralaner and 44 households (100 dogs) were randomized to receive the positive control. Fluralaner was demonstrated to be significantly effective (all P ≤ 0.0001) at 4 weeks (99.8% reduction), 8 weeks (99.9%), and 12 weeks (99.9%). The positive control was significantly different from baseline (all P ≤ 0.0001) and showed a reduction of 81.2% at 4 weeks and was effective at 8 weeks (90.3%) and 12 weeks (93.0%). Arithmetic mean flea count reductions for the fluralaner group at 4, 8, and 12 weeks were 99.8, 99.9, and 99.9%, respectively. For the positive control, arithmetic mean flea count reductions were 58.8, 75.3, and 80.8% at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. No treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in either group.ConclusionsOwner-applied topical fluralaner treatment was safe in dogs and provided ≥ 99.8% flea control efficacy for 12 weeks.

Field effectiveness and safety of fluralaner plus moxidectin (Bravecto® Plus) against ticks and fleas: a European randomized, blinded, multicenter field study in naturally-infested client-owned cats

“…There is also considerable variation in the susceptibility of flea strains to insecticides [ 31 , 32 ] and this may result in flea infestations that are difficult to control with certain agents under field conditions. It is clear from the results of our study and of other studies in Europe and the USA that fipronil, which in earlier papers had been shown to perform well under field conditions, often appears to perform poorly against fleas under the controlled conditions of a field study [ 16 , 17 , 30 , 33 – 38 ].…”

Topical or oral fluralaner efficacy against flea (Ctenocephalides felis) transmission of Dipylidium caninum infection to dogs

“…caninum possibly infecting the intestinal tracts of dogs. This result is consistent with the flea control observed following oral fluralaner administration to dogs in field challenge situations [ 16 , 21 , 22 ] and in laboratory challenges [ 13 , 22 ]. The fluralaner onset of activity following oral administration to dogs is rapid, with mortality observed at 1 hour after dosing; significant flea mortality compared with untreated control dogs at 2 hours; and 99.4% mortality of adult fleas by 8 hours of dosing [ 13 ].…”

“…This active ingredient kills fleas following ingestion of a blood meal, with an onset of activity within two hours of initial oral administration [ 13 ]. Flea insecticidal efficacy following oral fluralaner administration reaches 98–100% at 8–24 hours after flea infestation [ 13 ] and efficacy of ≥ 99% has been demonstrated for 12 weeks following application of a single topical dose of fluralaner [ 13 , 16 , 17 ]. The hypothesis in this study is that fluralaner treatment will provide flea insecticidal efficacy that is sufficiently rapid to prevent D .…”

Recent Advancements in the Control of Cat Fleas

“…Topical applications of fipronil + methoprene provided a 75.4% reduction [ 55 ]. In a similar study with dogs, topically applied fluralaner and fipronil + methoprene provided 99.9 and 93.0% reductions of cat fleas at week 12 [ 56 ]. A single topical application of fluralaner to naturally infested cats provided 100% reductions of C. f. felis for up to 84 days [ 57 ].…”

“…Fluralaner and afoxolaner both provided dramatic improvement of FAD in dogs [ 102 ]. Similarly, a topical application of fluralaner decreased all the FAD signs on cats beginning at day 7 and continuing until day 84 [ 56 ]. An oral dose of fluralaner resolved 90% of 20 cases of FAD at day 84 and 94% of 16 cases at day 168 [ 103 ].…”