Evaluation of the effectiveness of a novel oral formulation of sarolaner (Simparica™) for the treatment and control of fleas on dogs

Abstract

The efficacy of a single oral dose of a novel isoxazoline, sarolaner (Simparica™, Zoetis), for the treatment and control of flea infestations on dogs was confirmed in five laboratory studies. The studies were conducted using adult purpose-bred Beagles and/or mixed breed dogs. All animals were individually identified and housed, and were allocated randomly to treatment with either placebo or sarolaner (eight to 10 per group) based on pretreatment parasite counts. Three studies used cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) strains recently isolated from the field from the US, EU, or Australia; in the fourth study a laboratory strain (KS1) with documented tolerance to a number of insecticides such as fipronil, imidacloprid, and permethrin was used. In the fifth study, dogs were infested with dog fleas, Ctenocephalides canis. Dogs were treated orally on Day 0 with a placebo or a sarolaner tablet providing a minimum dose of 2mg/kg. Dogs were infested with approximately 100 unfed, adult fleas prior to treatment and at weekly intervals post-treatment. Comb counts were conducted to determine the numbers of viable fleas at 24h after treatment and after each subsequent infestation. Efficacy against C. felis and C. canis was 99.8-100% from treatment through Day 35. In all five studies, elimination of existing infestations was achieved within 24h after dosing, with only a single live C. felis found on one dog on Day 1. Similarly, control of flea challenges was achieved within 24h after infestation throughout the 35day study periods, with only single live C. felis found on two dogs on Day 28 in one study, and on a single dog on Day 35 in another study. There were no adverse reactions to treatment with sarolaner. These studies confirmed that a single oral dose of sarolaner at 2mg/kg provided highly effective treatment of existing C. felis infestations and persistent control of C. felis on dogs for 35days after treatment. Efficacy equivalent to that seen with C. felis was confirmed against C. canis and a known insecticide-tolerant strain of C. felis.

Laboratory and field studies to investigate the efficacy of a novel, orally administered combination product containing moxidectin, sarolaner and pyrantel for the prevention of heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs

“…Additionally, fleas and ticks can transmit a number of disease organisms that can cause severe, even life-threatening illness in both dogs and humans [24, 25]. Sarolaner belongs to a potent new class of ectoparasiticides (isoxazolines) and when administered as a single-entity (Simparica®, Zoetis) has been shown to provide fast and consistent efficacy against ectoparasites in dogs and cats [26–28]. Roundworms and hookworms commonly infect the gastrointestinal tract of dogs and are potentially zoonotic [29].…”

Evaluation of sarolaner and spinosad oral treatments to eliminate fleas, reduce dermatologic lesions and minimize pruritus in naturally infested dogs in west Central Florida, USA

“…Sarolaner (Simparica®), is a novel oral isoxazoline available in a palatable chewable formulation dosed at monthly intervals. Sarolaner is effective in eliminating existing flea infestations on dogs and provides protective control against reinfestation for 35 days [ 8 , 9 ]. It has been demonstrated that fleas begin to die within 3 to 4 h after sarolaner administration with > 98% elimination of fleas by 8 h and residual efficacy >95.7% within 12 h after reinfestation 35 days post-treatment, which was also sufficient to prevent flea egg deposition during the entire 5-week post-treatment period [ 10 ].…”

Canine flea control: too much choice?

“…The SOK of sarolaner has been compared to that of spinosad (Six, 2016b), afoxolaner (Six et al, 2016c) and fluralaner (Six et al, 2016d). While all four products are known to have rapid SOKs, sarolaner appears to be the most effective on the basis of this work by Six (Six et al, 2016b;2016c;2016d). The most recent of the isoxazolines, lotilaner, has also been shown to have a rapid SOK and to maintain its efficacy between applications (Cavalleri et al, 2017b;2017c).…”

“…A single dose of sarolaner resulted in the complete cessation of egg laying for 35 days (Six et al, 2016a). The SOK of sarolaner has been compared to that of spinosad (Six, 2016b), afoxolaner (Six et al, 2016c) and fluralaner (Six et al, 2016d). While all four products are known to have rapid SOKs, sarolaner appears to be the most effective on the basis of this work by Six (Six et al, 2016b;2016c;2016d).…”