
These include a range of synthesized compounds developed from the original pyrethrin moiety that are now widely used in various formulations and in a variety of combinations with other substances for the control of ectoparasites of dogs, other domestic animals and people. These properties led to interest in further understanding and testing of these ectoparasitic substances, leading to discovery of the synthetic pyrethroids. “Knock down” means that treatment leads to a relatively quick parasite drop off after the parasite shows initial hyper-excitation, disorientation and repellence that can be followed by, at a sufficient dose, arthropod death. Members of this class have been shown to have “knock-down” properties for arthropods and a low toxicity for mammals. The pyrethrins include various natural insecticidal esters derived from extracts of the pyrethrum plant Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium and related plant species. Such extracts include pyrethrins, rotenone and others - and purified active ingredients from these extracts have been commercialised as ectoparasiticides for use on domestic animals. It has long been known that certain plants, flowers, and roots - or oils and resins extracted from them - have measurable effects against ectoparasites. This review of published data regarding the use of both ectoparasiticides is intended to help veterinary parasitologists and practicing veterinarians when considering their recommendations for effective ectoparasite control in dogs.īackground on ectoparasite medications for dogs Fluralaner has been chosen to represent the systemically distributed class and the synthetic pyrethroid permethrin has been chosen as the comparison compound selected for the cutaneously distributed medicine. To focus the discussion, systemic and cutaneously distributed products are compared by using a representative example medicine for each class.

The aim of this review is to reconsider the debate between (i) the efficacy against ectoparasites and (ii) the vector-borne disease control of systemically and cutaneously distributed ectoparasiticides in light of the introduction of the isoxazolines. A notable difference between the three currently approved commercial isoxazoline formulations is that fluralaner offers a duration of activity following a single dose that is nearly three times longer compared with the other two. There are presently three medicines in this class that have received approval for use on dogs: fluralaner (Bravecto, MSD Animal Health, Madison, USA), afoxolaner (NexGard, Merial, Lyon, France) and sarolaner (Simparica, Zoetis, Florham Park, USA). This new class offers systemic, prolonged and highly specific efficacy against multiple genera and species of ectoparasitic arthropods and delivers highly successful control compared to earlier compounds. The on-going debate has recently changed with the commercial introduction of isoxazoline-class ectoparasiticidal medicines.
TICK MEDICINE FOR DOGS SKIN
On the other hand, all currently available cutaneously distributed products are exclusively administered externally, on the skin surface. This discussion regarding active ingredient distribution is independent of questions regarding the mode of administration, because systemically distributed active ingredients may be administered orally, on the skin surface, or by injection. One consequence of this development is an on-going debate regarding the relative merits of using either an ectoparasite control medicine that is distributed cutaneously on the dog skin surface or an ectoparasiticide that is distributed systemically by the dog’s blood circulation.

This has resulted in an enormous increase in the number of available products to either treat dogs against ectoparasites or to prevent development of ectoparasite populations in the household environment. Over the last 25 years, considerable advances have been made in the discovery and development of ectoparasiticide products for dogs.
