Comparative palatability of two veterinary dewormers (Milpro^®and Milbemax^®): a blinded randomised crossover cat study

Abstract

BackgroundThe combination of milbemycin oxime–praziquantel is widely used against the most common tapeworms and roundworms affecting cats. New veterinary presentations of this combination have recently been approved.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the palatability of two products using this combination, Milpro® and Milbemax®.MethodsIn all, 20 adult cats and 20 kittens were offered each product according to a randomisation table using a blinded crossover design. Prehension from the bowl, prehension from the hand and total consumption were assessed.ResultsBoth presentations were very well tolerated in adult cats and kittens. Total prehension in adult cats and kittens was 100 and 45 per cent, respectively, for Milpro®, and 95 and 30 per cent, respectively, for Milbemax®. The percentages of adult cats and kittens which swallowed the pill after taking it into their mouth (total spontaneous consumption) were respectively 40 and 45 per cent for Milpro®, and 35 and 20 per cent for Milbemax®.ConclusionIn this study, both presentations were highly attractive to cats and their respective coatings successfully covered the unpleasant odour of praziquantel, which usually repels cats. These results indicate that the palatability of Milpro® is at least as good as Milbemax® and both tablets are well accepted by adult cats and kittens.

Acceptability of flavoured pharmaceutically non-active mini-tablets in pet cats tested with a rapid 3-portal acceptance test with and without food

“…Possibly their smell, taste or both were unpleasant, but on the other hand, according to the owners, some of the cats were not motivated to eat even the palatable food. Some unspecified synthetic meat flavours have been used in feline pharmaceuticals, which did not have complete voluntary consumption success either ( Bernachon et al., 2014a , Huhtinen et al., 2015 ).…”

“…In our trials, a few cats took the mini-tablet into their mouth but dropped it, and some cats licked it without eating it. In one palatability study of anti-parasitic drugs carried out on laboratory cats, prehension from a bowl or hand was assessed in addition to consuming the product ( Bernachon et al., 2014a ). Prehension was defined as the cat voluntarily taking the tablet into their mouth, even if it was not swallowed.…”

“…Prehension was defined as the cat voluntarily taking the tablet into their mouth, even if it was not swallowed. The researchers discovered high prehension numbers in adult cats compared to our pet cats, but the consumption was much lower ( Bernachon et al., 2014a ). However, the behaviour and taste preferences of pet and laboratory cat populations differ ( Bradshaw et al., 2000 ).…”

“…On the other hand, despite of the high individual variation, using pet cats is consistent with the EMA guideline ( EMA, 2014 ) for carrying out palatability tests for pharmaceuticals on companion animals with the target population. Some palatability assessments of pharmaceuticals have been conducted on client-owned pet cats ( Giraudel et al., 2010 , Gunew et al., 2008 , Huhtinen et al., 2015 , Litster et al., 2007 , Morton et al., 2011 ), and others on laboratory cats ( Bernachon et al., 2014a , Bernachon et al., 2014b , Cron et al., 2014 ). Cats may have a timid nature and a fear of strangers or unfamiliar environments, and therefore owner-performed palatability testing would help to avoid stress, and thereby obtain more reliable results.…”

“…Laboratory kittens chose food containing large quantities of leucine ( Hargrove, Morris, & Rogers, 1994 ). Various methods have been used to assess the palatability of feline pharmaceuticals ( Bernachon et al., 2014a , Bernachon et al., 2014b , Cron et al., 2014 , Giraudel et al., 2010 , Gunew et al., 2008 , Huhtinen et al., 2015 , Khor et al., 2011 , Litster et al., 2007 , Morton et al., 2011 , Traas et al., 2010 ) because a guideline on the demonstration of palatability of veterinary medicinal products has only been published quite recently by the European Medicines Agency ( EMA, 2014 ).…”