Efficacy of a topical application of Certifect(®) (fipronil 6.26% w/v, amitraz 7.48% w/v, (S)-methoprene 5.63% w/v) for the treatment of canine generalized demodicosis

The efficacy of the treatment with Certifect ® (containing fipronil 6.26% w/v, amitraz 7.48% w/v, (S)-methoprene 5.63% w/v) applied topically was assessed in 18 dogs diagnosed with clinical generalized demodicosis. Three treatment regimens were compared over a 3-month period. Starting at Day 0, dogs were treated monthly (group 1) or every two weeks (group 2) with the combination of fipronil, amitraz, and (S)-methoprene or with monthly topical applications of the combination of amitraz and metaflumizone (group 3, reference treatment). Clinical examinations including deep skin scrapings were performed every month in order to evaluate the resolution of clinical signs and the reduction in mite counts. On Day 84, the percentage reduction of mite counts in group 1 was 99.8%, whereas no Demodex canis could be detected in groups 2 and 3 (i.e. 100% parasitological efficacy). As a result of the Demodex mite count reduction, the skin condition of the dogs improved significantly in all groups. This study illustrates, that both monthly and bi-weekly treatments with Certifect were effective in treating dogs with generalized demodicosis over a 3-month period.