Study looks at flea susceptibility to imidacloprid

Calgary, Alberta

-- Fleas are as susceptible now to the insecticide imidacloprid as they were in 2001, according to data presented last week at an international veterinary parasitology conference in Canada.

According to the study's sponsor Bayer Animal Health, data were drawn from 1,014 analyzed samples of flea eggs collected from more than 100 U.S. veterinary clinics as well as veterinary hospitals in Germany, France and the U.K. as part of a unique Flea Susceptibility Monitoring Program. Veterinarians participating in the collection of samples sent them to two participating laboratories in California and Alabama.

While 13 flea isolates were identified from the samples, ultimately none were considered less susceptible to imidacloprid upon further investigation, the company reports in a prepared statement.

The Flea Susceptibility Monitoring program is run by 15 veterinary parasitologists, entomologists, molecular biologists and Bayer staff members.

"Ten years after the initiation of the Flea Susceptibility Monitoring program, our efforts remain a unique and important strategy for assessing the continuing efficacy of imidacloprid against fleas. Monitoring the performance of current agents like imidacloprid is necessary to help maintain a longer viable product life for these products," says Dr. Byron Blagburn, distinguished university professor at Auburn University's veterinary college.