Flea & Tick Control - What Can UK Vets Learn From Europe? By Prof. Domenico Otranto DVM, PhD, DiplEVPC
7 years ago 
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With growing reports of vector–borne disease in the UK, it has never been more important to protect companion animals from flea and tick bites to help halt the transmission and progression of these diseases across the country. For some time, the UK has remained relatively isolated from the spread of several endo and ectoparasites in companion and wild animals across Europe – however in a world of increased travel and global warming, the UK parasitological climate is coming under greater threat.
Across Europe, the effective control of pet parasites has become an established and essential strategy in minimising the potentially serious health and well-being consequences for both companion animals and humans, so how can UK vets learn from other European countries when it comes to managing the growing parasitological risk?
What are European vets doing to combat the issue? Is it successful?
Veterinarians in Europe, with the assistance of their clients, have been engaged in long-lasting battles against arthropod parasites, which have continued in a rapidly changing environment. Over the past decade, European vets have utilised advances in the development of effective ectoparasiticides, used alone or in combination, throughout the year. These developments have allowed vets to administer treatments which are longer-lasting and which offer a repellent effect to reduce the risk of vector-borne disease transmission.
In high-risk regions, the choice of ectoparasiticide used is pivotal in the success of parasite protection programmes; in these areas, treatment efficacy and a broad spectrum of action are amongst the most important requirements that influence a recommendation. For example, in countries in the Mediterranean basin, during summer months with mean night temperatures around 20°C, sand flies thrive, acting as vectors of leishmaniosis. Therefore, many veterinarians will recommend treatment with a high level of repellent efficacy in order to reduce the risk for leishmaniosis in dogs living in or travelling to these regions.
In suitable environments, larvae and nymphs perpetuate (from eggs laid by engorged females), so maintaining the hygiene of environments where dogs live is another fundamental strategy to combat larval stages of fleas or immature ticks.
Why Seresto® is so successful in Europe and what can UK vets learn from this?
There has been proven success of the use of Seresto® in European countries, particularly those with higher levels and expanses of ticks, and trust of the product has been gained from vets as a result.
The main factors that have led to Seresto®’s success in Europe are the efficacy of the product against ticks and fleas - as well as reducing the potential for transmission of vector-borne diseases by repelling parasites before they bite the animal.
The application of one collar offers an easy and visual solution which promotes the continuous protection of an animal during the period of risk. The Seresto® collar design is able to keep fleas and ticks successfully under control for up to eight months, with a unique mode of action, which ensures the animal always receives a consistent dose for optimal long-term protection.
Although with some parasites, such as the lungworm, A. vasorum, monthly treatment is essential to ensure complete protection, in the case of fleas and ticks a monthly treatment is not always required. Seresto® is unique in its ability to protect against both ticks and fleas for as long as eight months with a single application, an easy way for owners to remain compliant. The fact that vets can use the same treatment for both cats and dogs has also contributed to the success of the product.
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