title: The effect of water and shampooing on the efficacy of fluralaner spot-on solution against Ixodes ricinus and Ctenocephalides felis infestations in dogs.
abstract: Fluralaner spot-on solution provides immediate and persistent efficacy against tick and flea infestations in dogs and cats for 12-weeks following topical administration. The active ingredient fluralaner is distributed systemically following transdermal absorption. Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis whether water-immersion or shampooing of dogs following administration of fluralaner spot-on solution has an impact on subsequent tick and flea efficacy.
  
  
  
  Thirty-two Beagle dogs were allocated to four study groups of 8 dogs each. On day 0, dogs in the 2 treatment groups received topical administration of fluralaner (Bravecto™ spot-on solution) according to label instructions. Dogs in the 2 corresponding control groups remained untreated. On days 3, 21, 49, and 77 dogs in one treatment group and control group were water-immersed for 2-5 min, while dogs in the other treatment group and control group were shampooed 6-8 min with a commercial foaming micro-emulsion, unscented product. On days 4, 28, 56, and 84 all dogs were co-infested with 50 ± 2 female and 10 ± 2 male Ixodes ricinus and 100 ± 4 Ctenocephalides felis, with tick and flea removal and counts 48 ± 2 h post-infestation. Efficacy against ticks and fleas was calculated for each assessment time point.
  
  
  
  No treatment-related adverse event was observed in any of the 16 dogs treated with fluralaner spot-on solution during the study. Efficacy against ticks at each assessment time point was between 99.7 and 100 % in the water-immersed group and between 99.2 and 100 % in the shampooed group. Efficacy against fleas was 100 % at each assessment time point as well in the water-immersed as the shampooed group. Tick and flea reduction in both treatment groups was significant at all assessment time points (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  
  Neither water-immersion nor shampooing after single topical administration of fluralaner spot-on solution had an impact on the excellent tick and flea efficacy over the 12-week recommended re-treatment interval.
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Zur Propstei, 55270, Schwabenheim, Germany. janina.taenzler@msd.de.
authors.forename: Janina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taenzler
authors.affiliation: Charles River Laboratories Preclinical Services Ireland Ltd, Glenamoy, Co. Mayo, Ireland.
authors.forename: Boyd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Zur Propstei, 55270, Schwabenheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zschiesche
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Zur Propstei, 55270, Schwabenheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Rainer K A
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Roepke
authors.affiliation: MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Zur Propstei, 55270, Schwabenheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Anja R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Heckeroth
mesh_terms: D056810:Acaricides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001494:Baths / Q000009:adverse effects; D058251:Ctenocephalides / Q000187:drug effects*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D058267:Flea Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018884:Ixodes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D012869:Skin Absorption; D012915:Soaps / Q000009:adverse effects; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: C000591860:A1443 compound; D056810:Acaricides; D007306:Insecticides; D007555:Isoxazoles; D019999:Pharmaceutical Solutions; D012915:Soaps; D014867:Water
keywords: Bathing; Bravecto™ spot-on solution; Ctenocephalides felis; Dog; Efficacy; Flea; Fluralaner; Ixodes ricinus; Shampooing; Tick; Water-immersion