Comparison of the initial and residual speed of Ixodes scapularis kill on dogs treated with a single dose of Bravecto ^® Chew (25 mg/kg fluralaner) or Simparica TRIO ^® (1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin, 5 mg/kg pyrantel)

Abstract

Background

Compliant ectoparasiticide product use is a comprehensive way to control ticks and reduce the risk of tick-borne pathogen transmission to dogs. Because the systemically acting isoxazoline ectoparasiticides require tick attachment for drug delivery, fast speed of kill is essential to minimize tick-borne pathogen transmission risk.

Methods

Dogs of satisfactory tick-carrying capacity were randomly allocated to treatment groups and administered, per label instructions, Bravecto ^® Chews (minimum 25 mg/kg fluralaner), Simparica TRIO ^® (minimum 1.2 mg/kg sarolaner, 24 µg/kg moxidectin, 5 mg/kg pyrantel), or no treatment. Dogs were infested with approximately 50 unfed adult (35 female, 15 male) Ixodes scapularis on Day -2, 21 and 28. Live tick counts were performed at 4, 8, 12 and 24 h post-treatment (Day 0) and post-infestation on Day 21 and 28. Tick control efficacy was determined by comparing live tick means for each product-treated group to the untreated control group and each other at all time points using a linear mixed model. The percent of dogs free of live ticks was analyzed using the Fisher’s exact test for treatment group comparison.

Results

The untreated control group maintained adequate tick infestations throughout the study. Using geometric means, an existing I. scapularis infestation was controlled by 99.7% and 93.0% 12 h post-treatment and by 100% and 99.5% 24 h post-treatment, for Bravecto ^® and Simparica TRIO ^®-treated dogs, respectively. Ixodes scapularis infestations were controlled more quickly for Bravecto ^®- compared to Simparica TRIO ^®-treated dogs on Day 21 at 8 h (efficacy 74.0% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.003) and 12 h (efficacy 99.2% vs. 39.4%, p < 0.001) post-infestation and Day 28 at 8 h (efficacy 92.2% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001) and 12 h (efficacy 99.6% vs. 27.7%, p < 0.001) post-infestation. On Day 28 post-treatment, the efficacy of Bravecto ^® and Simparica TRIO ^® to control a new I. scapularis infestation was 100% and 96.6%, respectively, by 24 h post-infestation. Of product-treated dogs, 100% of Bravecto ^®-treated dogs were free of live ticks by 24 h post-treatment or post-infestation. No treatment-related adverse reactions occurred during the study.

Conclusions

Ixodes scapularis infestations are controlled more quickly 21 and 28 days post-treatment for dogs administered a single dose of Bravecto ^® compared to dogs administered a single dose of Simparica TRIO ^®.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-023-05946-3.