Comparative activity in dogs of deltamethrin- and diazinon-impregnated collars against Ctenocephalides felis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare effectiveness of deltamethrin- and diazinon-impregnated collars against fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) in an experimental infestation.


METHODS
30 Beagles.


METHODS
Dogs were housed in separate cages. Dogs were infested with 50 fleas each, and fleas were counted 24 hours later. Dogs were then fitted with a collar containing 4% deltamethrin (group 1) or 15% diazinon (group 2). Dogs in group 3 were controls. Fleas were counted 24 and 48 hours after collars were applied, and fleas were then removed. Dogs were reinfested with fleas on days 7, 14, 28, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 210. Fleas were counted 24 and 48 hours after each reinfestation.


RESULTS
48 hours after applying collars, flea counts were not notably decreased. Effectiveness in groups 1 and 2 was 24 and 29%, respectively. Infestation on day 7 was controlled, to a comparable extent, by both insecticides (effectiveness approx 85%). Effectiveness > 97% was obtained after collars had been worn for 14 days. Between days 14 and 91, both collars had comparable effectiveness (> 93%) that did not differ significantly. After day 91, effectiveness of the collar containing diazinon decreased sharply, whereas that of the collar containing deltamethrin remained > 90% until day 152.


CONCLUSIONS
The collar containing deltamethrin controlled flea populations on dogs beginning 14 days after application and continuing until day 150. The collar containing diazinon controlled infestation for 90 days. Deltamethrin-impregnated collars are a new formulation that can be introduced into a program to easily control fleas.
Franc
M
M
Dermatology-Parasitology Unit, Ecole Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
Cadiergues
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MC
D000818:Animals; D003976:Diazinon; D004283:Dog Diseases; D004285:Dogs; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007306:Insecticides; D008297:Male; D009570:Nitriles; D011722:Pyrethrins; D005423:Siphonaptera
D007306:Insecticides; D009570:Nitriles; D011722:Pyrethrins; C017180:decamethrin; D003976:Diazinon