Usability Comparison Study of Spot-on Formulations of Parasiticides in Cats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of spot-on parasiticides for cats from the aspects of their stickiness and drying time after application. Eighteen client-owned healthy, munchkin cats (3 males, 15 females), between 9-month-old and 6-year-old, weighing from 1.5-2.9 kg were used in the study. Six spot-on parasiticides which are commercially available in Thailand including selamectin (SE), moxidectin + imidacloprid (MI), praziquantel + emodepside(PE), fipronil + (S)-methoprene + eprinomectin + praziquantel (FMEP), fluralaner (FL) and fipronil + (S)-methoprene (FM) were assessed after their respective application to the skin between shoulder blades of the 18 cats. Stickiness scores (STS) and drying time scores (DTS) were evaluated and recorded at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h after drug administration (DA). SE and MI groups showed the most satisfying scores of STS at 3 h after DA, STS in all groups was zero (not sticky) at 48 h after DA. For DTS, the SE and FL groups had the most satisfying score at 0.5 and 1 h after DA, DTS in all groups were zero (dry) at 24 h after DA. Some skin lesions such as erythema and alopecia were found in the MI and FMEP groups but the lesions completely recovered and all cats had normal general health throughout the study. From the study results, all of the 6 spot-on parasiticides are safe for cats and are acceptable for cat owners.

Keywords: Cats; Parasiticides; Spot on; Usability