Clinical efficacy of selamectin for the control of fleas on dogs and cats

The topical endectocide selamectin (Revolution, Pfizer Animal Health) was evaluated in seven veterinary dermatology specialty clinics for its ability to control fleas on 75 dogs and 46 cats from single- and multiple-animal households. All animals were treated on days 0, 30, and 60 with a minimum unit dose of 6 mg/kg of selamectin(h) applied to the skin in a single spot at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. The product was applied according to label instructions, and the use of other topical or environmental flea control products was prohibited during the study. Efficacy was assessed by percentage reductions in geometric mean flea comb counts. The reductions in flea numbers for dogs and cats combined were 90.6%, 97.0%, and 98.0% on days 30, 60, and 90, respectively, compared with day 0. This study demonstrates that selamectin, applied at 30-day intervals to dogs and cats, effectively controls flea infestations without other flea control products in single- and multiple-animal households.