Ectoparasitic prevention compliance in dogs based on prescription records from veterinary practices in Poland

Fleas and ticks are common and harmful ectoparasites in dogs. They feed on blood, cause irritation, and transmit various pathogens. In Poland, the primary species Ctenocephalides felis (fleas), Ixodes ricinus, and Dermacentor reticulatus (ticks) pose a year-round threat. Veterinary organizations recommend continuous year-round protection against ectoparasites. However, actual owner compliance with this recommendation remains unknown.

This retrospective study analyzed medical records from 2021 to 2023 across 45 veterinary practices in Poland. A total of 44,140 ectoparasiticide prescriptions were reviewed for 19,351 unique dogs. Products were categorized by active ingredient and duration of efficacy into four groups: 12-week isoxazolines, monthly isoxazolines, non-isoxazoline products, and collars. Protection coverage was estimated based on the number of doses prescribed and the labeled duration of each product, assuming all medications were administered on time, starting on the date of purchase.

The mean duration of protection against ticks over 3 years was 42.0 weeks for collars, 27.5 weeks for 12-week isoxazolines, 14.2 weeks for monthly isoxazolines, and 6.7 weeks for non-isoxazoline products. All durations were significantly different. Overall, the average protection provided to all dogs in the study was only 22.5% of the recommended year-round coverage. Most dogs received only one dose per year. Only 9.1% of dogs received at least one dose annually for three consecutive years, and just 0.1% received complete (> 150 weeks) year-round protection for all 3 years.

These findings indicate that compliance with year-round ectoparasitic protection in Poland is significantly below recommended levels. Most dogs are not adequately protected throughout the year, and very few receive consistent protection over multiple years. This leaves a substantial portion of the canine population vulnerable to ectoparasitic infestations and vector-borne diseases. Veterinary clinics must adopt objective compliance tracking and proactively develop and refine communication strategies to enhance adherence to parasite prevention protocols and minimize the risk of parasite-related health issues in dogs, and consider the role of longer-acting parasiticides to improve adherence.