Efficacy and safety of sarolaner (Simparica®) in the treatment and control of naturally occurring flea infestations in dogs presented as veterinary patients in Australia

Abstract

BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of a novel isoxazoline compound, sarolaner (Simparica®, Zoetis) and spinosad (Comfortis®, Elanco) as a positive control were evaluated for the treatment and control of natural flea infestations on dogs in two randomised, blinded, multi-centric clinical trials conducted in 11 veterinary clinics in northeastern and southeastern states of Australia.MethodsA total of 162 client-owned dogs (80 in northern study and 82 in southern study) from 105 households were enrolled. Each household was randomly allocated to receive either sarolaner (Simparica®, Zoetis) or spinosad (Comfortis®, Elanco). Dogs were dosed on Days 0, 30 and 60 and physical examinations and flea counts were conducted on Days 0, 14, 30, 60 and 90. Efficacy assessments were based on the percentage reduction in live flea counts post-treatment compared to Day 0.ResultsIn the northern study, at enrolment, primary dogs had flea counts ranging from 5 to 772. At the first efficacy assessment on Day 14, sarolaner resulted in 99.3% mean reduction in live flea counts relative to Day 0, compared to 94.6% in the spinosad group. On Day 30, the sarolaner-treated group had mean efficacy of 99.2% compared to 95.7% in the spinosad-treated group, and on days 60 and 90, both groups had mean efficacies of ≥ 98.8%. In the southern study, at enrolment, primary dogs had flea counts ranging from 5 to 156. Both sarolaner and spinosad resulted in ≥ 96.7% mean reduction in live flea counts on Day 14. On Day 30, the sarolaner-treated group had mean efficacy of 99.5% compared to 89.7% in the spinosad-treated group, and on days 60 and 90, both groups had mean efficacies of ≥ 98.6%. No treatment-related adverse events were observed in either study.ConclusionsA single monthly dose of sarolaner (Simparica®) administered orally at 2–4 mg/kg for three consecutive months was well tolerated and provided excellent efficacy against natural infestations of fleas under a range of Australian field conditions including different climatic and housing conditions. Similar efficacy was observed with spinosad (Comfortis®) after the second and third monthly treatments.

Benefits and Risks of Pesticide Usage in Pets

“…It is detected in plasma 20-30 minutes following administration through the oral route and it attains its uppermost level in 2-4 hours [51]. Sarolaner is a broad spectrum isooxazoline with efficacy against fleas, ticks and mites in dogs [52,53]. Isoxazolines bind to the ligandgated chloride channels in insects and acarines [17].…”

An assessment of canine ectoparasiticide administration compliance in the USA

“…Yearly, pet owners worldwide spend a total of 5.2 billion US $ on ectoparasiticidal products to protect their pets from these pests [22]. Many of these products are highly effective against fleas, ticks, and other ectoparasites when administered correctly with re-administration according to the recommended treatment schedule based on their duration of action [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Unfortunately, pet owners often fail to re-administer ectoparasiticides according to the label recommended re-treatment schedule, as has been evidenced by their failure to purchase sufficient ectoparasiticide doses to adhere to veterinarian recommendations, either continuously throughout the year or seasonally [20,[32][33][34][35].…”

An assessment of canine ectoparasiticide administration compliance in the United States based on timing of ectoparasiticide purchases recorded in veterinary hospital transactions.

“…Yearly, pet owners purchase 5.2 billion US dollars in ectoparasiticidal products to protect their pets from these pests [22]. Many of these products are highly effective against eas, ticks, and other ectoparasites when administered correctly with re-administration according to the recommended treatment schedule based on their duration of action [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Unfortunately, pet owners often fail to re-administer ectoparasiticides according to the label recommended re-treatment schedule as has been evidenced by their failure to purchase su cient ectoparasiticide doses to adhere to veterinarian recommendations, either continuously throughout the year or seasonally [20,[32][33][34][35].…”