Efficacy of Propoxur against Fleas on Domestic Cats

Abstract

Efficacy of a carbamate insecticide, propoxur, was examined against fleas on domestic cats. Propoxur dissolved in methanol was dropped in amounts of 10μg, 50μg, 100μg, 200μg, and 400μg on pieces of round filter paper placed on the bottom of petri dishes, 9cm in diameter and 7cm high. After methanol evaporated, five Ctenocephalides felis collected from cats were put into each dish to execute knock down tests. The knock down test was repeated four times, and the number of knocked down fleas was different among the tests with different sources of fleas. However, the efficacy of propoxur was observed in doserelation in each test and excellent insecticidal activity of the compound was confirmed. Subsequently, clinical evaluation of three propoxur formulations, 1% powder, 0.1% shampoo, and 9.4% collar, was carried out on five cats each infested with C. felis. The three products thoroughly exterminated the fleas with characteristics of each formulation from all the cats treated. That is, efficacy of the powder and the shampoo was very quick, but not residual; whereas the collar produced a very residual effect to prevent flea infestations during the observation period of one month, although it was not able to eliminate all the fleas immediately after application. None of the three products showed any adverse effects. It is thus considered that propoxur has excellent insecticidal activity against C. fells on cats, and the products of powder, shampoo, and collar can be clinically applied.