Evaluation of the efficacy of FRONTLINE (R) (active ingredient : Fipronil)in the treatment and control of European castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus)infestations in the dog and cat

Two laboratory and one field study were carried out to evaluate the efficac y of FRONTLINE in spray and spot-on formulations for the treatment and cont rol of tick infestations in dogs and cats. In the laboratory studies, 18 do gs and 18 cats were repeatedly infested with I. ricinus ticks. Live ticks w ere counted at 24 and 48 hours (dog) and 48 and 72 hours (cat) after treatm ent or infestation. in the field trial, 30 dogs exposed to natural I. ricin us tick challenge were examined for a period of 37 days. In all studies, th e efficacy of treatment was determined by comparing tick counts in treated animals versus untreated controls. Both formulations of FRONTLINE, spray an d spot-on, were shown to be highly effective (p < 0.05) against tick infest ations (I. ricinus) in the dog and cat. The duration of efficacy of both fo rmulations was approximately one month following treatment, in both animal species.