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CONTROL OF CTENOCEPHALIDES FELIS ON DOGS AND CATS USING THE

INSECT GROWTH REGULATOR (OR CHITIN SYNTHESIS INHIBITOR)
LUFENURON PROGRAM@, IN EGYPT

Article in Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology · April 2002

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Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, Vol. 32, No.1, April 2002

J. Egypt. Soc. Parasitol., 32 (1), 2002:99 - 108·

CONTROL OF CTENOCEPHALIDES FELIS ON DOGS AND CATS USING THE

INSECT GROWTH REGULATOR (OR CHITIN SYNTHESIS INHIBITOR)
LUFENURON PROGRAM@, IN EGYPT

By
M.M. FAHMY ANDN.M. EZZ EL-DIEN Department of Parasitology, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Lufenuron, the chitin synthesis inhibitor (Program, NovartisSwitzerland) was given orally at doses of 1
O-mg/kg 'b/w to dogs and 30-mg/kg b/w to cats every four weeks (monthly) for the treatment of experimental
flea infestations. Three to four weeks after the last infestation, Lufenuron had effectively.' controlled the Ct.
felis infestation of dogs and tats as the drug prevented the development of the offspring of adult female fleas
feeding on animals. Flea populations were abseritor very low and remained so until the end of the study, 91
days after the first
. ,
treatment.

Introduction

Flea infestation is the most common ectoparasite of dogs and cats worldwide. Although more than 2000
species and subspecies of fleas are known throughout the world (Borror et AI., 1981), only few species are
found on dogs and cats in a large numbers and with sufficient regularity to be important. Those species are
Ctenocephalidesfells, Ct. canis, Pulex species and Echidnophaga gallinacea (Dryden, 1993). In addition
to the more common species, several other species of fleas for which
....... _-_ ........................................__ .-
iwregistered trademark of Nov art is AG. Basel. Switzerland

99

dogs and cats serve as transport or accidental hosts have been recorded. It is not unusual to find rabbit,
rodent or squirrel fleas on dogs and cats that roam outdoors. When the pets prey on small wild mammals,
the fleas leave the dying host for the closest warm body. These fleas often survive for only a short time
on the pet and most likely not to remain reproducti~ely active. Surveys conducted in Egypt found Ct.
felis to be the most prevalent flea on dogs and cats (Amin, 1966). Compounds used in the fight against
fleas included a range of organo-phosphates, from malathion to chlorpyriphos, carbamates, natural
pyrethrines and first, second and third generations pyrethroids. Most of these remain efficacious today.
The next major advances were the development of insect growth regulators, which could be used as
environmental treatments and in some cases topically (Hooser et al., 1986; Willemse, 1992; Stone, 1993
and Shipstone et. al., 1994).
In the present trial, the efficacy of the chitin synthesis inhibitor lufenuron; (Program; Novartis-
Switzerland) was tested in the recommended doses against infestation of Ct. felis on dogs and cats in
order to fulfill the requirements of the Egyptian Drug Allowances Authority.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-two dogs of various breeds weighing from 1.7-34.1 kg, were randomly allocated into 5
groups; 01 3 dogs (2.9, 9.5 and 12 kg), D2 3 dogs (1.7, 1.9 and 2.1 kg), 03 5 dogs (2.7, 3.7,4.1,5.5 and
6.5 kg) ,D46 dogs (9,13.5,15,16,16.5 and 18.7 kg) and n, 5 dogs (22, 23.5, 30.1, 30.3 and 34.1 kg).
Seven cats of various breeds weighing from 2.5-4.2 kg were randomly allocated into two groups; CI: 2
cats (2.6 and 4.2 kg) and C2: 5 cats (2.5,3.1,3.5,3.5 and 4.1 kg)
Animal keeping: dogs and cats were cleared of all
ectoparasites before the study by successive combing. All animals received commercial dry food and had
access to water. Each group of animals (DI, D2, D3, 04, Ds, CI and C2) was kept separately in a room of
3.5 by 4 meters with smooth wall. In a small area in each room some straw was added as animal
bedding. The straw also served as substrate for flea

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reproduction. It was kept unchanged until the end of the trial. The floor area without straw was cleaned daily.
Drug: Program (Novartis-Switzerland) Lufenuron (BPU; benzoyl phenyl urea which interferes with the chitin
synthesis).«N~(2,5dichloro4( 1, 1.233,3,~hexatluoropropoxy)phenylaminocarbonyl)-2.6-difluorobenzamide). This
drug is available in two forms:
Tablets for dogs 23.1 mg (Yellow tablets), 67.8 mg (Red tablets), 204.9 mg (Grey tablets) and 409.8 mg (Creamy
tablets). Th tablets cover four weight ranges providing an minimum dose of 1 O-mg/ kg B W
Suspension for Cats: 133-mg suspension. which provides a minimum dose of 30 mg /kg BW
Application of the drug: Per Os after meal.
Trial design: 0, and C, were kept untreated as control group.
O2. 03, D; 05 and C2 were each treated at days 0, 28, 56 and 84 with the recommended doses; O2 Yellow tablets
(23. lmg). 03 Red tablets (67.8 mg), 04 Grey tablets (204.9 mg), 05 Creamy tablets (409.8) and C2 suspension 7%
(133 mg).
Ct. fells of unknown age collected from infested stray dogs were used to infest all animals (experimental and
control). Each animal was infested with 20 fleas at days 2.7.21 and 28- after the first treatment. Fleas were
deposited along the dorsolumbar line of the animal. Fleas were counted by detailed visual examination of each
animal by brushing against the grain of the fur (to avoid flea damage no comb was used). Counts were done on
each animal on days 2.7 after the first treatment and thereafter weekly until the end of the trial (91 days). Efficacy
was calculated based on fleas numbers on all animals in each group.
Clinical examination of the animals: the animals were checked twice a day for six days a week throughout the
trial. At each flea count, all animals were clinically examined.
Data were expressed as means ±SD (Standard deviation).
The treated groups were compared to the control group using a Two ways randomised ANOY A completely design
test and least significant differences (LSD) were estimated according to the Student-Newman-Keuls test.

101
Results

On the dogs, in the control group, flea numbers increased continually due to the successive
infestations and reproduction of the fleas. At week 4, the mean number was 22 (±0.7) fleas and it
reached 40.8 (±0.6) fleas at the end of the trial (after 91 days).
On the dogs in the treatment groups, the repeated infestations led to mean flea population ranging from
9.1 (±0.8) to 14.9 (±1.09) fleas at 28 days post treatment and declined to 0.0 to 0.9 (±0.2) fleas at the end
of the trials 91 days. (Table 1 and Fig. 1 ).
On the cats, in the control group flea numbers increased from; 18 (± 1.4) fleas four weeks after the
beginning of the experiment to 39.5 (±2.1) fleas at the end of the trial.
The cats in the treatment group showed 9.6 (±1.03) fleas at day 28. At the end of the trial (after 13
weeks; 91 days) the flea counts reached 0.0 fleas (Table 2 and Fig. 2).
The efficacy on dogs ranged from 74.26% at 7 weeks after the start of the trial (2 weeks after the last
reinfestation) to 97.79/- 100% at the end of the experiment (after 13 weeks). Also on cats efficacy
reached 90.09% after 7 weeks and increased to 97.27/-100% at the end of the trial after: 91 days ( Table
3 and Fig. 3).
There were significant difference between all groups of treated dogs (group LSD at P< 0.05= 0.115) and
the control group. The same was the case in the cats trial- (group LSD at P<0.05= 0.079). A significant
difference between the records of the first day and the 91 51 day in the same group was recorded i.e.
between groups, time (time LSD at P<0.05= 0.205 for dogs and LSD at P<0.05= 0.225 for cats) and even
interaction between groups and time.
 Discussion

In the present study, the drug lufenuron (Program) was used orally in doses of a minimum of 10
mg/kg b.w. in dogs & 30mg/ kg b.w. in cats after meal as recommended by the manufacturer and as
mentioned by Shipstone and Mason (1995).

102

In agreement with results of previous studies: l.yru. and Campbell (1992) and Franc and Cadiergues (1996) the
formulation was well tolerated by all animal groups.
This study revealed that. in dogs the mean nur.iber of fleas in the non-treated control group increased from 22 ±
0.7 flea/dog to 40.8±0.6 flea/dog from the 4th week to the end ui the trial alter 9 J days. In the treated groups of dogs
the mean Ilea population ranged between 9.1±O.8 and 14.9±l.09 fleas four weeks post treatment and decreased to
0.0/ O.9±O.2 at the end or the experiment Nearly the same observations were recorded 111 the groups of cats. There
were significant difference between all groups of dogs and cats either treated / control or treated ! treated and even
between times in all groups.
Flea re-infestations performed during the 1 Sl ,2110, 3rJ. 4th and 5th weeks were controlled in both dogs and cats
treated with lufenuron. Efficacy 4 weeks after the last re-infestation was clearly demonestrated by the fleas counts
dropping to G.O 3±0.4 in dogs to 2.2±O.5 in cats compared with counts or approximately 33.6±O.8 flea/dog and
27.5±O.7 flea/cat ill the respective control group aminals. These observations correlated well with rhe results
reported by Franc and Cadiergucs ( 19(7). The new drug: Jufenuron has no significant effect on adult Ileas. but
interferes with chitin polymerization and deposition at ali stages during flea development (Dean et al. 1998). This
causes the death or immature life stages or the Ilea. Thus the control or adult flea on animal comes via the
elimination of the environmental life stages of the flea. There is a lag phase of 5-7 weeks between the initiation of the
insect development inhibitors (lDI) administration and reduction in the number or adult fleas on treated animals. The
lag phase results from the survival of immature fleas that were present in the environment before the onset of the IDl
treatment. It can be reduced by initiating oral IDl treatment in combination with premise and on-animal insecticide
treatments; Shipstone and Mason ( 1 99S). Insect growth regulators are increasingly used to control infestations of
Ct. [elis; on cats and dogs, Franc (J (94). They are now found in products used in the environment or applied to the
coat of animals, and drugs sueh as lufenuron that is administered orally every month (Zakson et al., 19(2). to
eliminate flea

106

populations (Blagbum et aI., 1994; Franc and Cadiergues, 1996) and prevent re-infestation (Zakson et al.,
1992; Hink et al., 1994). Lufenuron is also available and succe-ssfully used as injection for cats (Franc and
Cadiergues, 1997).
Other animals such as rats and stray pets must be considered as being potential sources of contamination
for the environment. The most important source of this contamination will occur where the treated and
untreated animals cohabit or share restingplaces. When the veterinarian and the owner are informed about
these limitations the new oral insect development inhibitor, lufenuron (Program) offers both the
veterinarian and pet owner a major advance in the control of the fleas on cats and dogs in Egypt.

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