Open field study on the efficacy of fluralaner topical solution for long-term control of flea bite allergy dermatitis in client owned cats in Ile-de-France region

Abstract

Background Flea bite is considered to be the main cause of allergic dermatitis in cats. There is a need for treatments able to control clinical signs of allergic dermatitis associated with flea bite in cats. This was an open pre-treatment versus post-treatment clinical field study. All cats included in the study presented pruritus, skin lesions or other evidence compatible with flea infestation. Skin lesions were assessed (using SCORFAD) at days 0, 28, 56 and 84 whereas pruritus severity was assessed (using PVAS) at days 0, 15, 28, 56 and 84. On day 0, The fluralaner (280 mg/ml) product (Bravecto® spot-on for cats) was supplied in pipettes containing 0.4, 0.89 and 1.79 ml for cats of 1.2–2.8 kg, > 2.8–6.25 kg and > 6.25–12.5 kg body weight, respectively. The other animals living in the same household also received fluralaner. Based on cytological examination at day 0, oral amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was prescribed for 21 days if indicated. For cats presenting intense pruritus and discomfort at day 0, oral prednisolone at 0.5 mg/kg was prescribed for 3 days. Results During the study all cats, except for one (cat number 10), improved significantly. Post-treatment median SCORFAD scores at all evaluations were significantly different from the pre-treatment score on day 0 (P values < 0.002 for all three post treatment examination days) with a score reduction of 49% on day 28, 79% on day 56 and 87% on day 84. The PVAS score decreased significantly over the study period for all cats but one (cat number 10). Post-treatment median PVAS scores at all evaluations were significantly different from the pre-treatment PVAS score on day 0 (P value < 0.002 for all four post-treatment days) with a reduction of 46% on day 15, 67% on day 28, 82% on day 56 and 92% on day 84. No adverse reaction or other health issue was reported during the study. Conclusions A single topical treatment with fluralaner results in a significant reduction of flea bite allergic dermatitis clinical signs in cats over the subsequent 12 weeks without any additional environmental treatment.

Recent Advancements in the Control of Cat Fleas

“…Spinetoram was better at reducing FAD compared with the fipronil + methoprene treatment [ 28 ]. The topical application of fluralaner provided significant reduction in clinical signs of FAD in cats [ 104 ]. Oral doses of sarolaner + moxidectin + pyrantel or afoxolaner + milbemycin oxime dramatically reduced the symptoms of FAD in naturally infested dogs within 30 days [ 48 ].…”

Adherence to veterinary recommendations for ectoparasiticides purchased by cat owners in the USA

“…Approximately half of the pet owners in the UK study whose pets harbored eas were unaware that their animals were infested. Other investigators con rm that apparently healthy cats can harbor low levels of ea infestation, in some cases the lack of ea awareness is apparently a result of overgrooming by the cat [12]. Feral cats, untreated rural cats and indoor-outdoor cats may have considerably higher levels of infestation, associated with their increased outdoor exposure to eas, than indoor cats [3,10].…”

Adherence to veterinary recommendations for ectoparasiticides purchased by cat owners in the United States of America.

“…Approximately half of the pet owners in the U.K. study whose pets harbored eas were unaware that their animals were infested. Other investigators con rm that apparently healthy cats can harbor low levels of ea infestation, in some cases the lack of ea awareness is apparently a result of overgrooming by the cat [12]. Feral cats, untreated rural cats and indoor-outdoor cats may have considerably higher levels of infestation, associated with their increased outdoor exposure to eas , than indoor cats [3,10].…”