Efficacy of a new combination of fipronil and permethrin (Effitix ® ) against Phlebotomus perniciosus in dogs

Abstract

Two controlled clinical trials were carried out to assess the anti-feeding and adulticidal effects of a spot-on combining fipronil and permethrin (Effitix(®), Virbac, Carros, France) against Phlebotomus perniciosus in dogs. The first study (Exp. A) was a dose-determination study in which 3 doses of permethrin (30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg) were compared. The second study (Exp. B) was an efficacy study using commercial dose of permethrin contained in Effitix(®) (the minimum dose of permethrin applied to dogs was 60 mg/kg). Twenty four and twelve Beagle dogs with equal sensitivity to sandflies were included in Exp. A and in Exp. B, respectively. Dogs were challenged with female sandflies (50 per dogs in Exp. A and 80 in Exp. B) for 60±5 min on Days - 7, 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Day 0 being treatment day). Counts and engorgement determination of dead and alive sandflies were performed after each exposure to treated and untreated dogs. Dead sandflies were also counted 24 h after exposure. In Exp. A, the repellency induced by an administration of 30 mg/kg of permethrin to dogs was above 91% for the first two weeks and then dropped to 82.2, 83.1 and 81.1% on Days 14, 21 and 28, respectively. For dogs receiving 60 mg/kg of permethrin, the repellency was a bit higher with 95.8, 97.6, 92.1, 91.4, and 86.8%, for Days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28, respectively. The repellency induced by 120 mg/kg of permethrin was significantly higher than that induced by 60 mg/kg of permethrin on Day 14 only. In Exp. B the anti-feeding effect of the spot-on formulation was 94.1, 97.8, 96.3, 90.8 and 87% on Days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28, respectively. The mortality effect was 98.9, 99.1, 99.8, 97.0 and 89.7% on Days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28, respectively. At each challenge point, the mortality and anti-feeding effects on sandflies were significantly different between control and treatment group (p<0.05). The results indicate that a monthly administration of this new combination of permethrin and fipronil could be used as an effective sandfly control strategy in dogs and therefore recommended for use in an integrated leishmaniosis prevention program.

A field trial of a fixed combination of permethrin and fipronil (Effitix®) for the treatment and prevention of flea infestation in dogs living with sheep

“…Demonstration of efficacy under the conditions of this field trial may be of particular importance considering the high flea burden, as evidenced by the fact that all 30 screened dogs were eligible for the study (thus they were parasitized by at least 10 fleas) and by the median number of fleas per dog at time 0 ( n  = 28.5). Also, and in accordance with previous studies [13–15], the 54.5% permethrin and 6.1% fipronil spot-on solution was safe and no treatment-related side effects were witnessed.…”

Fatal Patent Troglostrongylosis In A Litter of Kittens

“…Of the blood smears prepared (122), 14 (11.5%) showed single, small and circular/irregular inclusions in red blood cells at the microscope examination, whereas higher prevalence value (27/123; 22.0%) was recorded at biomolecular analysis. Within the PCR reliable positive samples, different species were identified: T. mutans (9), B. bovis (5), T. velifera (5), Theileria spp. (3), T. parva (1).…”

“…Pearson chi-square statistic was performed to evaluate the correlation between seropositivity and individual and managerial data. Three age classes were considered: yearling (0-2), adult(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9) and aged (>10 years old) horses. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS.…”

Treatment of Harvest Mite Infestation in Dogs Using a Permethrin 54.5% and Fipronil 6.1% (Effitix®) Topical Spot-On Formulation

“…The product is licensed in dogs to be used against infestations with fleas and/or ticks and when repellent activity is also necessary against sand-flies and/or mosquitoes. The product has a persistent insecticidal/acaricidal efficacy for up to 4 weeks against fleas [15], ticks [16,17], sandflies [18], and mosquitoes [19]. Very recently, the product was successfully evaluated on adult triatomines (Rhodnius prolixus) in dogs [20].…”