First oral feline flea and tick treatment now available

(karinrin / stock.adobe.com).

Elanco Animal Health announced the availability of Credelio Cat yesterday, the first-ever oral flea and tick treatment for cats.

This flavored chewable starts to kill adult fleas within 6 hours. In 12 hours, it kills more than 98% of fleas and 100% within 24 hours. It also provides fast-acting, sustained flea efficacy throughout the month in cats 8 weeks and older, according to a company release. Additionally, this small tablet provides cats and kittens 6 months and older with month-long protection against black-legged ticks.

“Even indoor cats are at risk of fleas and ticks,” says Tony Rumschlag, DVM, senior director of technical consulting at Elanco, in a company release. “It’s great to have a first-of-its-kind flea and tick option for cat owners who prefer oral administration or want to try something besides a topical.”

Credelio Cat contains the active ingredient, lotilaner, which has been shown to be safe and effective, when used according to label directions for killing fleas in cats as young as 8 weeks weighing 2 or more pounds, "so veterinarians can feel good about prescribing it to their patients," Rumschlag explains.

What’s more? Oral administration has been challenging in the past, but these tablets, with their rich vanilla and yeast scent and flavor, were specifically designed for cats. In fact, A US field survey revealed that Credelio Cat was successfully administered by 99.5% of cat owners.¹

The most commonly reported adverse effects associated with Credlio Cat administration include weight loss, rapid breathing, and vomiting. Additionally, lotilaner is an isoxazoline —a class of compounds that have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, incoordination, and seizures.

Credelio Cat has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is available in 12- and 48- mg doses.

To learn more about this new product, go here.

Reference

1. Chappell K, Paarlberg T, Seewald W, et al. A randomized, controlled field study to assess the efficacy and safety of lotilaner flavored chewable tablets (Credelio™ CAT) in eliminating fleas in client-owned cats in the USA. Parasite Vector. 2021;14(1):127. doi: 10.1186/s13071-021-04617-5.