Effectiveness and residual speed of flea kill of a novel spot on formulation of spinetoram (Cheristin®) for cats

Abstract

BackgroundA spot-on spinetoram formulation (Cheristin®) was developed to eliminate fleas from infested cats. This paper describes three spinetoram studies: two for registration (Studies 1 and 2), and one comparing residual speed of kill (SOK) with topically applied fipronil/(S)-methoprene (FSM) and imidacloprid (Study 3).MethodsCats were randomized to treatment based on flea counts from infestations placed within 2 weeks prior to treatment. In Studies 1 and 2, groups were untreated control and spinetoram; in Study 3, groups were untreated control, spinetoram, FSM and imidacloprid, all applied per label on Day 0. Cats were infested the day before treatment. In Studies 1 and 2, counts were completed 48 h post-treatment and after weekly challenges through 5 weeks. In Study 3, infestations were completed weekly through Day 28, with counts 1, 4, 8 and 12 h after treatment or post-infestation (PI). Efficacy was determined on geometric mean flea count reductions compared with controls, and in Study 3 mean flea counts in spinetoram-groups were compared with those in FSM and imidacloprid groups.ResultsIn Studies 1 and 2, spinetoram effectiveness was 100% against existing infestations, and at least 96% through Day 37. In Study 3 mean counts were not significantly different from controls in any group until 8 h post-treatment when imidacloprid counts were significantly lower than spinetoram counts, which were in turn significantly lower than FSM counts (P < 0.05). At 1 h PI spinetoram-group counts were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than counts in: controls, all days; imidacloprid, Days 7, 14, and 28; FSM, Days 14 and 28. At 4 h PI, spinetoram mean counts were significantly lower (P < 0.05) relative to: controls, all days; imidacloprid, Days 7, 14 and 21; FSM, Days 7, 14, 21 and 28 (P < 0.05). On multiple occasions, at 8 and 12 h PI, mean counts were significantly lower (P < 0.05) for spinetoram than for imidacloprid and FSM; at no point were FSM or imidacloprid significantly more effective than spinetoram against new infestations. All treatments were well tolerated.ConclusionsSpinetoram was highly effective for at least 1 month post-treatment and provided more rapid month-long residual SOK than FSM or imidacloprid.

The Biology and Ecology of Cat Fleas and Advancements in Their Pest Management: A Review

“…A single oral dose of 60 mg/kg or three 20 mg/kg doses of spinetoram to dogs provided >99% kill of fleas for 72 days [ 389 ]. A topical application of spinetoram on cats provided >95% kill for at least 37 days [ 323 ].…”

Recent Advancements in the Control of Cat Fleas

“…In a laboratory and field study conducted in Europe, topical application of spinetoram to cats provided 99.1% reductions of C. f. felis at day 60 whereas fipronil + methoprene provided a 92.3% reduction [ 29 ]. Topical applications of spinetoram provided 96% reductions through day 37, providing about the same speed of activity against adult fleas as imidacloprid and fipronil + methoprene [ 30 ].…”

Spinetoram-Induced Potential Neurotoxicity through Autophagy Mediated by Mitochondrial Damage

“…Franc et al [ 6 ] used spinetoram tablets to treat flea infestation in cats. Paarlberg et al [ 7 ] compared various drugs for treating cat fleas and discovered that spinetoram was highly effective with an efficacy rate of over 96.0% in a 0–37-day period. Additionally, spinetoram exhibited stronger insecticidal properties than fipronil and showed no adverse reactions.…”