European multicenter field trial on the efficacy and safety of a topical formulation of imidacloprid and permethrin (Advantix^TM) in dogs naturally infested with ticks and/or fleas

Abstract

In a field trial 363 dogs naturally infested with ticks (n ≧ 1) and/or fleas (n ≧ 5) were enrolled at 23 centres in Germany, France and Italy. A total of 229 dogs were treated once with the test product, a topical formulation of imidacloprid 10% and permethrin 50%. 134 dogs were treated once with a registered control product, a topical fipronil 10% formulation, according to the label instructions. All dogs and cats living in the same household were treated with the control product. Cats living with the imidacloprid-permethrin treated dogs were treated with a mono imidacloprid formulation. Efficacy and safety of the products were assessed 2 days and 1,2,3 and 4 weeks after treatment by individual parasite counts and clinical examination. Continuous infestation pressure during the trial period was demonstrated by monitoring other dogs presented to the clinics. Efficacy calculations were based on geometric means of the individual parasite counts compared to pre-treatment infestation. The acute efficacy (day 2) of the imidacloprid permethrin combination vs. the control product was 91.1% vs. 89.7% against Ixodes. ricinus, 85.4% vs. 80.9% against Rhipicephalus spp. and 98.3% vs. 97.0% against Ctenocephalides spp. Residual efficacy (day 28) of the two products was 95.2% vs. 69.5% against I. ricinus, 98.5% vs. 89.4% against R.. spp. and 92.5% vs. 93.5% against C. spp. Results of the trial proved the safety of both products in treated dogs and in dogs and cats, living in the same household.