title: 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.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Canine flea-allergy dermatitis (FAD), a hypersensitivity response to antigenic material in the saliva of feeding fleas, occurs worldwide and remains a common presentation in companion animal veterinary practice despite widespread availability of effective systemic and topical flea-control products.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical response in dogs with FAD treated topically with indoxacarb, a novel oxadiazine insecticide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five client-owned dogs in Queensland, Australia diagnosed with pre-existing FAD on the basis of clinical signs, flea-antigen intradermal and serological tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  An open-label, noncontrolled study, in which all dogs were treated with topical indoxacarb at 4 week intervals, three times over 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four dogs completed the study. Complete resolution of clinical signs of FAD was observed in 21 cases (87.5%), with nearly complete resolution or marked improvement in the remaining three cases. Mean clinical scores (Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index-03) were reduced by 93.3% at week 12. Mean owner-assessed pruritus scores were reduced by 88% by week 12. Mean flea counts reduced by 98.7 and 100% in weeks 8 and 12, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical indoxacarb treatment applied every 4 weeks for 12 weeks, without concomitant antipruritic or ectoparasiticide therapy, completely alleviated flea infestations in all dogs and associated clinical signs of FAD in a high proportion of this population of dogs in a challenging flea-infestation environment.
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health, 26 Artisan Road, Seven Hills, NSW, 2147, Australia.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fisara
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health, 26 Artisan Road, Seven Hills, NSW, 2147, Australia.
authors.forename: Roger M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.affiliation: Dermatology for Animals, 263 Appleby Road, Stafford Heights, Qld, 4053, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shipstone
authors.affiliation: von Berky Veterinary Services, 3 Hawthorne Street, Woody Point, Qld, 4019, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von Berky
authors.affiliation: von Berky Veterinary Services, 3 Hawthorne Street, Woody Point, Qld, 4019, Australia.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: von Berky
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D058267:Flea Infestations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010078:Oxazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D010078:Oxazines; C401104:indoxacarb