An imidacloprid/flumethrin collar was tested for efficacy against Babesia canis for a period of 8 months. In the study, eight animals each were randomly included in groups 1 (negative control) and 2 (imidacloprid/flumethrin collar.) Animals in group 2 received the imidacloprid/flumethrin collar on Day 0. Tick challenges were performed monthly from the 2nd to the 8th month. Assessment criteria included tick counts, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses and immunofluorescence assays (IFA). Whenever dogs were diagnosed with babesiosis they were excluded and replaced. Consequently, 24 replacement animals were introduced at various time points throughout the study in the control group.

Acaricidal efficacy for tick counts was 93% on Day 30, and ranged from 97 to 100% thereafter. Babesia canis was not detected in any imidacloprid/flumethrin collar treated dog at any time. Babesia canis-specific DNA and antibodies were detected in 2-6 of 8 control dogs after each challenge.

Results suggest that the imidacloprid/flumethrin collar was highly effective against challenges with D. reticulatus ticks for up to 8 months.

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A study on the long-term efficacy of imidacloprid/flumethrin collar collars in preventing Babesia canis (Piana & Galli-Valerio, 1895) transmission to dogs by infected Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) ticks.