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Home , Metaflumizone

The Science and Art of Flea Control

Michael Dryden, DVM, DACVM, PhD Questions and Answers from April 6 – 26, 2015 VetFolio Web Conference

Question: How quickly are fleas killed once they infest the treated dog? Is this soon enough to prevent disease transmission?

Answer:

Residual efficacy is generally 94 – 100% with 12 hours of new fleas jumping on dogs. Even out to 3 to 4 weeks post treatment. Which is remarkably fast. However, completely preventing disease transmission (Bartonella or Rickettsia) has not been proven. Even if such studies did exist currently the FDA and EPA will not allow disease prevention claims on labels of these parasiticides. Too many variables, including client compliance to consider.

Question: How effective is afoxolaner in preventing flea bites and disease transmission?

Answer:

A great question, since I have already addressed the disease prevention in question # 1, I will focus on flea bites. It has now been clearly demonstrated that FAD is actually not directly related to “flea bites” That was clearly a myth perpetuated without data. FAD is related to flea feeding and injection of salivary proteins. 1st , no product has ever been shown to stop flea bites, that is next to impossible due to the rapid feeding of Ctenocephalides felis. What we are accomplishing is a decrease in prolonged flea feeding and injection of sufficient amounts of saliva. FAD is not anaphylaxis.

An important aspect of a residual flea product is that product’s residual speed of kill and its potential impact on managing flea allergy dermatitis (FAD). Historically, products containing , , , imidacloprid, metaflumizone, nitenpyram, , and spinosad have clearly demonstrated they had a major impact on reducing the occurrence of FAD.1-9 However, the data from the several studies as reviewed by Dryden 2009 demonstrate that these compounds neither stop flea bites nor completely stop flea feeding.10 These compounds are very likely managing FAD because they decrease prolonged flea feeding and reduce the amount of salivary protein delivered to the allergic pet and in the long-term reducing flea numbers. It is also worth noting that whether an insecticide works topically or systemically may be irrelevant in the management of fleas or FAD, what is most important is rapid residual speed of kill.

1. Genchi C, Traldi PG, Bianciardi PP. Efficacy of imidacloprid on dogs and cats with natural infestations of fleas, with special emphasis on flea hypersensitivity. Vet Ther. 2000 Spring;1(2):71-80. 2. Medleau L, Clekis T, McArthur TR, Alva R, Barrick RA, Jeannin P, Irwin J. Evaluation of fipronil spot-on in the treatment of flea allergic dermatitis in dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 2003 Feb;44(2):71-5.

1 Any views or opinions expressed in this Q&A are those of the presenter, and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or policies of VetFolio.

3. Dickin SK, et al. Efficacy of selamectin in the treatment and control of clinical signs of flea allergy dermatitis in dogs and cats experimentally infested with fleas. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2003; 223: 639–44. 4. Medleau L, et al. Evaluation of fipronil spot-on in the treatment of flea allergic dermatitis in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice 2003; 44: 71–5. 5. Hellmann K, et al. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a novel formulation of metaflumizone plus in dogs naturally infested with fleas and ticks in Europe. Veterinary Parasitology 2007; 150: 239–45. 6. Robertson-Plouch C, et al. Clinical field study of the safety and efficacy of spinosad chewable tablets for controlling fleas on dogs. Veterinary Therapeutics 2008; 9: 26–36. 7. Dryden MW, Ryan WG, Bell M, Rumschlag AJ, Young LM, Snyder DE. Assessment of owner- administered monthly treatments with oral spinosad or topical spot-on fipronil/(S)- in controlling fleas and associated pruritus in dogs. Vet Parasitol. 2013 Jan 31;191(3-4):340-6. 8. Fisara P, Sargent RM, Shipstone M, von Berky A, von Berky J. An open, self-controlled study on the efficacy of topical indoxacarb for eliminating fleas and clinical signs of flea-allergy dermatitis in client-owned dogs in Queensland, Australia. Vet Dermatol. 2014 Jun;25(3):195-8. 9. Meadows C, Guerino F, Sun F.A randomized, blinded, controlled USA field study to assess the use of fluralaner tablets in controlling canine flea infestations. Parasit Vectors. 2014 Aug 16;7:375.5. Dryden MW. Flea and tick control in the 21st century, challenges and opportunities. Vet Dermatol 2009, 20, 435–40. 10. Dryden MW. Flea and tick control in the 21st century, challenges and opportunities. Vet. Dermatol. 20, 435–440, 2009.

Question: What do you use to treat areas in the house where pets sleep or tend to lay most commonly to try to kill larvae/eggs and pupae?

Answer:

Actually the best approach is daily vacuuming. Data has shown that 40-50% or eggs and up to 35% of larvae can be removed by a single vacuuming event with a modern bag-less & beater bar vacuum system. So I ask pet owners to vacuum daily. Also, wash area rugs, pet bedding and vacuum under all chair and sofa cushions as these become “flea nests” in many homes were flea infested pets sleep on chairs and sofas, with flea eggs and flea feces rolling under the cushions.

Question: There are so many flea products now on the market. Since most clinics can only stock a few - how does one go about figuring out the best ones for a given area, a clinic, and specific patients?

Answer:

There is no one correct answer here. I think you 1St pick a safe product and then 2nd pick a product with fast residual speed of kill. There are many good products, so find one you like, get to know its attributes and stick with it.

2 Any views or opinions expressed in this Q&A are those of the presenter, and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or policies of VetFolio.

Question: Many clinics will not carry the older preventive products stating there is resistance. I think it is client compliance over failure of product. Is there a reason to switch to newer products?

Answer:

I am a great believer in “if it isn’t broke don’t fix it” Only switch if you see real problems. And yes, most issues are directly related to compliance failures.

Question: For topical flea products what is your recommendation for dogs that swim or get wet frequently? Go oral or use a combo?

Answer:

You already have the answer, if animals are swimming a lot or are being bathed frequently, go to an oral product.

Question: To speed-up "residual kill" can one use area products like siphotrol? Especially in homes with patients with FAD?

Answer:

You can use area sprays and they do seem to help. Siphotrol does seem to be a good product.

3 Any views or opinions expressed in this Q&A are those of the presenter, and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or policies of VetFolio.