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)

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^®.