OBJECTIVES

The systemic flea adulticide nitenpyram was shown to reach 100% efficacy within 3 hours of treatment in cats. Rapid elimination of fleas is especially important in pets suffering from Flea Allergy Dermatitis to reduce exposure to allergens in the flea saliva. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of nitenpyram during the first three hours following treatment at the recommended dose of a minimum of 1mg/kg b.w.

MATERIALS

15 cats were infested with 100 unfed adult fleas 24 hours before administration of CAPSTAR. Subgroups of 3 cats were combed at 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes after treatment. Efficacy was calculated against flea counts performed at the same time intervals on subgroups of 3 cats of an untreated control group consisting of 15 cats also.

RESULTS

Efficacy after 15 minutes was 42.5% with a high variability between individuals (SD: 31.4). After 30 minutes between animal variability decreased and efficacy in cats increased to 62.0% (SD: 13.0). Thereafter variability was moderate and efficacy further increased to 96.7% (SD: 5.6) after 60 minutes. After 120 minutes efficacy in was 95.4% (SD:8.0), and reached 100% (SD: 0) after 180 minutes.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate the value of nitenpyram in removing fleas extremely rapidly from cats, thus limiting exposure to flea feeding and allergens to a minimum.