Repellency Effect of an Imidacloprid / Flumethrin (Seresto®) Controlled Release Polymer Matrix Collar against the Australian Paralysis Tick (Ixodes holocyclus) in Dogs

Abstract

Repellency is a highly desirable attribute for an acaricide that protects dogs against the Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus). A bite from a single tick of this species can be fatal and carries the risk of transmission of vector-borne diseases. A randomised, controlled study was conducted to confirm the repellency sensu stricto and sensu lato (expellency) of a 10 % imidacloprid/4.5 % flumethrin collar (Seresto ® , Bayer) on dogs, against artificial infestations of I. holocyclus. Based on a novel protocol, dogs treated with Seresto ® , or a placebo collar, were sedated and placed in infestation chambers for 1 h at varying time points up to 6 months after treatment. Ticks were released alongside the dogs, and allowed to approach and/or attach. Treating dogs with a Seresto ® collar resulted in significantly (p < 0.001) more residual ticks being found in the infestation chambers (repellency sensu stricto) compared to the placebo treated dogs for the 168-day duration of the study (range 67.5% to 90.2 %). Repellency sensu lato (expellency) was reflected in significantly (p <0.002) fewer ticks being found attached to treated dogs throughout the study. Comparative decrease in ticks attached exceeded 95 % for 84 days, when assessed after 6 h. When assessed after 24 h, there was a > 95 % comparative decrease in ticks attached until Day 84, > 90 % on Days 112 and 140 then > 95 % to Day 168. Efficacy (killing effect) of the Seresto ® collar based on total live tick counts was > 95 % 6 h after tick challenge throughout the 6 month study period. This study demonstrated the excellent repellency effect of the Seresto ® collar against I. holocyclus in dogs. S146Ectopar asitEs

Eight‐month repellency and efficacy of an imidacloprid/flumethrin (Seresto®) collar against the eastern paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) on cats

“…31 The SP flumethrin, an α-cyano-pyrethroid, exhibits repellent and antifeeding effects against ticks on dogs and cats, in addition to its acaricidal properties. 11,19 Cats have a reduced enzyme pattern for hydrolysis of pyrethroidesters, resulting in toxic metabolites developing during the pyrethroid degradation process and some SPs such as permethrin are toxic to cats. 32 In contrast, the metabolism of flumethrin in cats does not require glucuronidation, allowing it to be safely used as an acaricide in this species.…”

“…6,9 In addition to neurotoxic effects, tick infestations in cats can also result in anaemia, immunosuppression, secondary infections at the bite site and infection with vector-borne diseases. [10][11][12][13][14] In general, a marked reduction in the number of cases of tick paralysis in dogs and cats, and greatly improved survival rates over the last century have resulted from scientific innovation in three main areas: commercial availability of tick antiserum, advances in veterinary critical care and development of acaricidal prevention products. 15 Until recently, however, acaricidal prevention products registered in Australia for control of ticks in cats were limited.…”

“…20 Flumethrin exhibits repellent and antifeeding effects against ticks on dogs and cats, in addition to its acaricidal properties. 11,19 It has been used in livestock as an acaricide and is also registered in a collar preparation for dogs in combination with propoxur. 21 Imidacloprid, discovered in 1984, acts at insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) on the post synaptic membrane.…”

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Motor Neuron Disease in Australian Dogs and Cats

“…This also highlights the importance of daily tick-checks and rapid-kill acaricides as effective preventative measures as they prevent tick attachment long enough to allow clinical disease to manifest. There are currently several acaricides on the market in Australia with documented rapid kill of Ixodes species [ 64 – 67 ]. Although no definitive studies have been published to date, early evidence supports a possible effect of isoxazoline parasiticides in decreasing the incidence of tick paralysis in Australia [ 68 ].…”

Immunomic Investigation of Holocyclotoxins to Produce the First Protective Anti-Venom Vaccine Against the Australian Paralysis Tick, Ixodes holocyclus

“…Oral acaricides based on isoxazoline chemicals sold as Bravecto™ and NexGard ® have been introduced ( 29 , 30 ) which aim to control both paralysis ticks and fleas. New long acting collars based on slow release Imidacloprid/flumethrin (Seresto ® ) have shown promise more recently ( 31 ). However, the risk of ticks developing resistance remains and the adverse reactions of these drugs warrant the treatments unsafe for some dogs and as such new drugs continue to be developed by companion animal product companies ( 32 , 33 ).…”