Abstract
BackgroundOral administration of lotilaner flavoured chewable tablets (Credelio™, Elanco) to dogs has been shown to provide a rapid onset of killing activity of infesting ticks, with sustained efficacy for at least 35 days. A study was undertaken in Europe to confirm lotilaner’s safety and anti-tick efficacy in client-owned dogs.MethodsIn this assessor-blinded study, dogs were enrolled at 19 clinics in Germany, Hungary and Portugal. Qualifying households with no more than three dogs were randomized in an approximate 2:1 ratio to a lotilaner or fipronil/(S)-methoprene (FSM) (Frontline® Combo Spot-on, Merial) treatment group. One household dog with at least three live attached ticks was the primary dog. Treatments were dispensed Days 0, 28 (± 2) and 56 (± 2) for owner administration to all household dogs. Tick counts were performed on primary dogs Days 7 (± 1), and ±2 days on Days 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84; supplementary dogs were assessed for safety ± 2 days on Days 28, 56 and 84. Efficacy was assessed by comparing mean Day 0 live attached tick counts with subsequent counts.ResultsThe most frequently retrieved ticks were Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato), with Ixodes hexagonus also present. In the lotilaner group (n = 127) geometric mean tick count reductions were at least 98% from the first post-treatment visit (Day 7) through Day 56, when efficacy was 100%. For FSM (n = 68), efficacy remained at least 96% through Day 84, but at no point were all dogs free of live attached ticks. Mean counts in lotilaner-treated dogs were significantly lower than FSM-treated dogs on Days 7, 42, 70 and 84 (P < 0.05). Percent efficacy over all post-enrolment visits was 99.3 and 98.3% for lotilaner and FSM groups, respectively (t(190) = 2.23, P = 0.0268). Owners successfully administered all treatments, and both products were well-tolerated.ConclusionUnder European field conditions, lotilaner flavoured chewable tablets administered monthly, were > 98% effective in eliminating live ticks from the first post-treatment assessment (Day 7) through Day 56 and maintained 100% of dogs tick-free on Days 70 and 84. Lotilaner was safe, providing superior tick control to FSM administered according to the same schedule.
Highlights
Oral administration of lotilaner flavoured chewable tablets (CredelioTM, Elanco) to dogs has been shown to provide a rapid onset of killing activity of infesting ticks, with sustained efficacy for at least 35 days
The dominant species that were identified in this study, i.e. I. ricinus, R. sanguineus (s.l.) and D. reticulatus, are consistent with other reports, there is no support for the suggestion of the northward migration of R. sanguineus (s.l.) beyond Mediterranean areas [17–19]
The results of this study, undertaken in a diverse range of client-owned dogs and geographical regions, demonstrate that under a wide range of field conditions in Europe, a single lotilaner treatment resulted in a 98.9% reduction in live attached tick counts by the time of the first assessment at 7 days after the first treatment
Summary
Oral administration of lotilaner flavoured chewable tablets (CredelioTM, Elanco) to dogs has been shown to provide a rapid onset of killing activity of infesting ticks, with sustained efficacy for at least 35 days. As the most recent member of the family to be approved, lotilaner is a rapid-onset ectoparasiticide that is presented in a flavoured chewable tablet formulation (CredelioTM, Elanco) for dogs. Laboratory studies demonstrated that lotilaner has been shown to quickly begin killing induced infestations with I. ricinus, and to sustain activity against new infestations with Ixodes scapularis, I. ricinus, Dermacentor variabilis, D. reticulatus and R. sanguineus (s.l.) for at least 35 days, and Amblyomma americanum for at least 28 days [10,11,12]. Similar rapid onset, sustained activity has been demonstrated against flea infestations [13, 14]
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