Comprehensive ectoparasite control remains a top priority for pet owners and the veterinary medical community. According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association (APPMA), the number of cats being treated with flea and tick products increased 15% between 2002 and 2004.1 That means an estimated 36 million cats are currently being treated for fleas and ticks, and the majority of pet owners use topical applications.1

1. A NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS
JUNE 2006 VOLUME 4, NUMBER 2
Introducing Etofenprox:
A Broad-Spectrum, Comprehensive Ectoparasiticide
Albert Ahn, DVM
Vice President of Corporate Communications
and Consumer Relations
The Hartz Mountain Corporation
Comprehensive ectoparasite control adult and immature fleas, deer ticks, and adulticidal activity of a flea preventive is
remains a top priority for pet owners and mosquitoes. The active ingredients in crucial to prevent FAD.
the veterinary medical community. Hartz® UltraGuard plus™ Drops for Anemia is a common sequela of flea
According to the American Pet Product Cats are etofenprox and (S)-methoprene. infestation, particularly for young puppies
Manufacturers Association (APPMA), the and kittens, and can be life threatening in
number of cats being treated with flea and ECTOPARASITES AND DISEASE cats. C. felis are hearty feeders capable of
tick products increased 15% between 2002 Fleas consuming up to 15 times their body
and 2004.1 That means an estimated 36 The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis weight in blood daily.3 Seventy-two female
million cats are currently being treated for (Figure 1), is the most common species fleas can consume 1 ml of blood in a day.4
fleas and ticks, and the majority of pet affecting dogs and cats.2 C. felis is not Substantial flea infestations can result in
owners use topical applications.1 merely a nuisance; it poses many health severe clinical signs associated with
Cat owners want a product that is risks to the feline population. Flea allergy anemia, and severe anemia can be fatal.
safe, effective, easy to use, and affordable, dermatitis (FAD) accounts for at least In addition to inducing skin
and they want one that is able to protect half of all dermatologic problems seen by inflammation and causing blood loss, fleas
against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. veterinarians.3 When fleas feed on a host, are linked to several other health threats.
While many cat owners turn to their saliva is transferred. Flea saliva contains This ectoparasite can serve as a vector for
veterinarian for prescription ectoparasite proteolytic enzymes and histamine-like the transmission of Rickettsia typhi (the
control products, others prefer to purchase substances, which cause the inflammatory
over-the-counter products. Hartz is and pruritic signs associated with FAD.3
pleased to announce the introduction Cats with FAD can present with self-
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
of Hartz® UltraGuard plus™ Drops excoriations, moist and miliary dermatitis,
for Cats. This easy-to-use topical alopecia, papules, and eosinophilic Ask the Vet ................................ 7
formulation provides protection against granuloma complex lesions.3 Rapid

2. emerges. The entire life cycle typically A NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS
occurs in 3 to 4 weeks. The majority of
JUNE 2006 VOLUME 4, NUMBER 2
the flea’s life cycle takes place in the
environment, not on the host. It is Consulting Editors
therefore imperative to address both the Albert Ahn, DVM
pet and the environment for a successful Vice President of Corporate
flea eradication plan.4 Communications and Consumer
Relations
Ticks The Hartz Mountain Corporation
The importance of tick prevention Bruce Truman
extends beyond the aesthetically Senior Director
displeasing nature of the ectoparasite Animal Health and Nutrition
Figure 1. The cat flea,
(Figure 2). A proactive approach to The Hartz Mountain Corporation
Ctenocephalides felis. preventing tick bites is important to
reduce the number of protozoal, bacterial, Associate Editors
causative agent of murine typhus), and viral pathogens transmitted by these Jill A. Richardson, DVM
Rickettsia felis (rickettsiosis), Bartonella vectors. Tick-borne diseases such as Director
henselae (cat scratch fever), and Dipylidium borreliosis (Lyme disease), ehrlichiosis, Consumer Relations
caninum (tapeworm),4 all of which pose a rickettsiosis (Rocky Mountain spotted The Hartz Mountain Corporation
zoonotic risk. Fleas can also transmit fever), babesiosis, and viral encephalitis David Levy
Mycoplasma haemophilus (formerly called have many health implications for both Assistant Manager
Hemobartonella felis), the agent responsible humans and animals.6 Animal Health and Nutrition
for feline infectious anemia. The Hartz Mountain Corporation
The potential impact of fleas on humans Mosquitoes
HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMAL SM
extends beyond the aforementioned The mosquito (Figure 3) is another
infectious agents. Papular urticaria is an ectoparasite that serves as a vector for is produced for The Hartz Mountain
Corporation by Veterinary Learning
annoying rash that humans develop as a infectious diseases in both humans and
Systems, 780 Township Line Rd.,
result of flea bite hypersensitivity; animals. Mosquitoes are responsible for Yardley, PA 19067.
children tend to be affected more than the transmission of heartworm disease
adults.5 Home flea infestations can also (HWD). Although cats are less Copyright © 2006 The Hartz Mountain
be frustrating and costly to eliminate. susceptible to HWD than dogs, cats can Corporation. All rights reserved.
An understanding of the biology of develop more severe clinical signs. It is Hartz® and other marks are owned by
fleas provides insight into how these also harder to diagnose HWD in cats The Hartz Mountain Corporation.
parasites rapidly infest their environment than in dogs; in fact, because cats often
and provides the key to their eradication. are not microfilaremic and have low worm Printed in U.S.A. No part of this
publication may be reproduced in any
Under ideal temperature and humidity burdens and less-specific clinical signs
form without the express written
conditions, one mating female flea can than dogs, feline HWD remains permission of the publisher.
produce more than 20,000 adults and underdiagnosed.
more than 160,000 preadult fleas in 2 Many owners may not be aware of the For more information on The Hartz
months.4 Because of the remarkable heartworm risk their cats face. Although Mountain Corporation, visit
reproductive capacity of C. felis, an studies have shown that cats that spend www.hartz.com.
effective insecticide against this pest must time outdoors are predisposed to
include a “birth control” component. heartworm infection, a surprising one-
Female fleas lay eggs on the host and third of affected cats are reported to live and lack of safe and effective treatment
deposit them in the environment. The strictly indoors.7 options for feline HWD warrant effective
smooth, oval eggs are not sticky, so eggs The clinical signs associated with mosquito prevention and prophylaxis.
laid on the host quickly fall to the ground. feline heartworm infection are distressing West Nile virus (WNV) is a newly
Under ideal conditions, fleas usually hatch to patients and their owners. The death emerging disease that poses risk for both
within 36 hours to 10 days. The emerging or migration of adult worms can result in humans and animals. WNV is also spread
larvae feed on debris and adult flea feces. acute dyspnea, tachycardia, shock, cough by the bites of infected mosquitoes. As of
After two molts, the final larval stage or hemoptysis, dementia, blindness, February 2006, there have been reports of
spins a cocoon from which the adult flea seizures, and death.7 The grave prognosis birds, mammals, or mosquitoes being
2 HARTZ COMPANION ANIMAL
® SM
• JUNE 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 2

3. then, the safety and efficacy of
(S)-methoprene has been upheld in
numerous studies.11–13 The World Health
Organization has approved adding
(S)-methoprene to drinking water to
control mosquito populations and, in
1999, classified methoprene as “unlikely
to present acute hazard in normal use.”12
This statement remains undisputed.
Methoprene is a selective, stable, and
potent larvicide. Its selective mode of
toxicity to insects is based on interference
Figure 2. Ticks are capable of Figure 3. Mosquitoes are responsible
with metamorphosis; there is no clearly
transmitting a variety of illnesses to pets for transmitting heartworms and West defined analogous mechanism by which it
and humans. Nile virus. can exert a harmful impact on mammals.
(S)-Methoprene has been used for
infected with WNV in every state except hemolymph (i.e., insect blood) is found more than 20 years to fight infestations
Alaska and Hawaii. in high concentrations. This regulatory of mosquitoes, flies, ants, fleas, and
Cats have tested positive for WNV,8 hormone prevents metamorphosis, and other insects. It prevents flea eggs
and a recent study evaluated the risks the flea remains in the larval stage.11 from hatching, which is an important
posed by WNV to experimentally A synthetic JH analog tricks the insect component of a flea-prevention program.
infected dogs and cats. All of the test into a persistent immature phase, which
animals exposed to mosquitoes were results in death. Further research led to Etofenprox
confirmed to be carriers of WNV. In this the development of JH mimetics, which Etofenprox (also called ethophenprox)
laboratory-controlled study, the four fall into two categories: the terpenoids is a very effective insecticide with a wide
canine subjects developed low and and nonterpenoids. (S)-Methoprene, a margin of safety in mammals. The
transient virus levels, but the four feline terpenoid compound, was found to be a mechanism of action of this compound is
subjects developed titers higher than more effective insecticide than naturally similar to that of the pyrethroid class of
those seen in the dogs. Three of four cats occurring JH.11 pesticides.14
developed mild lethargy and spikes in Until the early 1980s, (S)-methoprene Etofenprox shares structural similarity
body temperature.9 Interestingly, the was the only approved insect growth with type I ester pyrethroids (Figure 5),
study also showed that ingestion of regulator (IGR). It was initially but it has a unique ether composition,
infected prey animals (mice) can induce administered orally to cattle to help which gives it a much higher median
viremia, suggesting that prey animals can control the surrounding fly population. lethal dose (LD50). This structural
serve as an important reservoir of Treated cattle subsequently produced difference is what differentiates
infection to predators.9 feces containing concentrations of etofenprox from pyrethroids and provides
(S)-methoprene that were beneficial in it with a high level of safety for warm-
PARASITICIDES controlling developing fly larvae. Since blooded animals. Because of its unique
Many agents have been developed
to help eradicate parasitic insects
detrimental to humans, animals, and
CH3 CH3 H
crops. Pharmacologic advances have
yielded products that are safe and available CH3 C CH2 CH2 CH2 CH CH2 C CH3
as user-friendly topical applications.
C C O
O
(S)-Methoprene H C C
H3C
(S)-Methoprene (Figure 4) is a
synthetic juvenile insect hormone analog H O CH CH3
that prevents the completion of the flea
life cycle and thus diminishes the number Empirical Formula: C19H34O3 CH3
of emerging adults.10 During the flea’s
larval stages, juvenile hormone ( JH) in the Figure 4. Chemical structure of (S)-methoprene.
HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • JUNE 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 2 3

4. containing 40% etofenprox Cats has been shown to kill and repel
and 3.6% (S)-methoprene.15 Culex spp and Aedes spp mosquitoes,15
CH
Both of these EPA- and 90% of deer ticks were killed in 4
3
O
HC
3
C CH2
registered products provide weeks.
protection against adult and Hartz® UltraGuard plusTM Drops for
O CH
2
immature fleas, deer ticks, Cats is labeled for external use on cats
and mosquitoes. 12 weeks of age or older. This topical
Selective toxicity—the product is applied between the cat’s
ability to kill the offending shoulder blades once a month.10 As with
pest without causing harm any product, pet owners should contact
O Empirical Formula: C H O 25 28 3
to the species being their veterinarian before using on cats that
CH2 CH
3
protected—is a desired are geriatric, sick, pregnant, or nursing.
feature of ectoparasiticide After application, the cat should not be
Figure 5. Chemical structure of etofenprox. products. The combination bathed for at least 24 hours, and cats
of ingredients in Hartz® within the same household should not
UltraGuard plus™ Drops be permitted to groom each other until
ether (as opposed to ester) structure and for Cats achieves this goal. Hartz® the product is completely dry.17 Hartz®
molecular composition, it imparts a rat UltraGuard plus™ Drops for Cats has along with many experts, including
oral LD50 of more than 42,880 mg/kg been subjected to multiple efficacy, safety, the Companion Animal Parasite
and a mouse oral LD50 of more than and toxicology tests. Hartz® UltraGuard Council (CAPC), recommends the use
107,200 mg/kg. plus™ Drops for Cats received EPA of ectoparasite products on a year-
Etofenprox is an important chemical registration for use on pets in 2004. It is round basis.18
in the fight against ectoparasites affecting in the Level 4 Toxicity Category, the With the advent of clinically-
animals and humans and is also widely lowest possible toxicity ranking. No proven, effective, and easy-to-use
used to protect crops from insect pests. “Danger,” “Warning,” or “Caution” ectoparasiticides, there is no reasonable
It is effective against an array of pests, statement is required on the label, and no excuse for pets and their owners to suffer
including ants, cockroaches, wasps, special safety precautions (e.g., wearing the consequences of these pests. Greater
hornets, and beetles.15 The British eye protection or gloves as required by attention drawn to the various vector-
Army has deemed etofenprox a safe and other flea and tick products) are required borne diseases carried by fleas, ticks, and
effective additive to nets and screens when applying the product on cats. mosquitoes will likely result in improved
used in controlling arthropod vectors The product was evaluated in cats compliance by pet owners. The use of
of disease.16 The World Health at one, three, and five times the ectoparasiticides helps to ensure the
Organization classified etofenprox as recommended dosages. Test subjects healthy and happy lifestyles of pets and
unlikely to present an acute hazard in were evaluated for clinical signs of illness, their caregivers.
14
normal use. changes in appetite or body weight,
Studies have been conducted to and clinical pathology test results. No
evaluate the metabolism and toxicity of systemic adverse effects were observed. Benefits of
etofenprox. The agent is primarily Even at five times the recommended Hartz® UltraGuard plus™
excreted in feces and to a lesser extent in dose in cats, only mild skin changes, Drops for Cats
urine. There was no evidence to suggest similar to those associated with any
that etofenprox is genotoxic or topical pesticide, were seen. Tests ■ Kills deer ticks that may transmit
Lyme disease for up to 1 month
carcinogenic.14 showed no adverse effects if Hartz®
UltraGuard plusTM Drops for Cats ■ Kills and repels mosquitoes that may
® ™ transmit heartworm disease
Hartz UltraGuard plus contacts the eyes.15
Drops for Cats Efficacy studies showed that 98% ■ Kills fleas that may cause flea allergy
The synergistic combination of of adult fleas were killed 2 weeks after dermatitis, flea bite anemia, and
(S)-methoprene and etofenprox provides topical application and a 95% or greater tapeworm infestation
a scientifically proven and effective reduction in flea egg hatch was noted ■ Kills flea eggs for up to 1 month
product for controlling the primary after 4 weeks. The IGR and flea
■ Quick acting
ectoparasites that threaten cats and their adulticide combination provides fast and
®
caregivers. Hartz UltraGuard plus™ long-lasting protection against C. felis. ■ Long lasting
Drops for Cats is an innovative product Hartz® UltraGuard plusTM Drops for
4 HARTZ COMPANION ANIMAL
® SM
• JUNE 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 2

5. REFERENCES and prevention of heartworm disease in cats. Kirks’s Evaluations, Methoprene and (S)-Methoprene.
Available at www.inchem.org/documents/
Current Veterinary Therapy XIII Small Animal
1. APPMA: 2005–2006 APPMA National Pet Owners
Practice. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 2000, pp jmpr/jmpmono/2001pr01.htm; accessed April
Survey. Greenwich, CT, American Pet Product
782–787. 2006.
Manufacturers Association, pp 96-97, tables 22A
and 23. 8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: West 13. Pesticide Residues in Food—1984. Available at
Nile Virus Questions and Answers. www.cdc.gov/ www.inchem.org/documents/jmpr/jmpmono/
2. Keil K, Wellington J, Ciszewski D: Efficacy of v84pr31.htm; accessed April 2006.
ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/transmission.htm;
imidacloprid in controlling flea allergy dermatitis in
accessed April 2006. 14. 1993 FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide
cats. Proc 2nd Int Flea Control Symp:15, 2001.
9. Austgen LE, Bowen RA, Bunning ML, et al: Residues: Etofenprox: Available at www.fao.org/
3. Keil K, Wellington J, Ciszewski D: Efficacy of Experimental infection of cats and dogs with West ag/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/JMPR/Download/
advantage in controlling flea allergy dermatitis in Nile virus. Emerging Infectious Diseases (serial 93_rep/Report1993.pdf; accessed April 2006.
cats. Proc 3rd Int Flea Control Symp:6, 2002. online) 2004 Jan (date cited). Available from 15. Data on file. The Hartz Mountain Corporation,
4. Scott DW, Miller WH, Griffin CE: Muller and www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no1/02-0616.htm; Secaucus, NJ.
Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology. Philadelphia, WB accessed April 2006.
16. Croft AM, Baker D, von Bertele MJ: An
Saunders, 2001, pp 490–508. 10. Young DR, Jeannin PC, Boeckh A: Efficacy evidence-based vector control strategy for
5. Stibich AS, Schwartz RA, Chaffer C: Papular of fipronil/(S)-methoprene combination spot- military deployments: The British army
Urticaria. Available at www.emedicine.com/ on for dogs against shed eggs, emerging and experience. Med Trop (Mars) 61(1):91–98, 2001.
DERM/topic911.htm; accessed April 2006. existing adult cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis,
17. Product Label: Hartz® UltraGuard plus™
6. Otranto D, Paolo Lia R, Cantacessi C, et al: Bouche). Vet Parasitol 125:397–407, 2004.
Drops for Cats. Secaucus, NJ, The Hartz
Efficacy of a combination of imidacloprid 11. Garg RC, Donahue WA: Pharmacologic Mountain Corporation, 2006.
10%/permethrin 50% versus fipronil 10%/(S)- profile of methoprene, an insect growth 18. Companion Animal Parasite Council:
methoprene 12%, against ticks in naturally infected regulator, in cattle, dogs, and cats. JAVMA Controlling Internal and External Parasites in
dogs. Vet Parasitol 130:293–304, 2005. 194(3):410–412, 1989. Dogs and Cats: 2005 CAPC Guidelines. Available
7. Atkins CE, Ryan WG: CVT update: Diagnosis 12. Pesticide Residues in Food 2001: Toxological at www.capcvet.org; accessed April 2006.
Your Clients have
Flea & Tick
Questions.
We Have
Solutions.
w w w. f leaan dticksolutions.com
HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • JUNE 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 2 5

7. Albert Ahn, DVM, is Vice President of Corporate Communications
and Consumer Relations at The Hartz Mountain Corporation.
ASK TH E VET
Q
What type of insecticide does Hartz®
UltraGuard plus™ Drops for Cats contain? QA Hartz® representative visited my
college last week and gave out samples
of this newsletter; could you tell me if
A
Hartz® UltraGuard plus™ Drops for Cats is for use on
cats and comes in two sizes; one for cats weighing
veterinary students are eligible for
subscriptions?
up to 5 pounds and one for cats weighing 5 pounds
and over. This product contains the active ingredients
etofenprox and (S)-methoprene.
Etofenprox is effective against fleas, ticks, and
AYes, all students are welcome to sign up for free
membership for this newsletter and also for any other
Hartz® publication. To do so, email your name and
mailing address, along with the publication name, to
mosquitoes and is considered to be low in toxicity feedback@Hartz.com, or you can call 800-275-1414.
to mammals.
(S)-methoprene is a synthetic insect growth
regulator or juvenile hormone mimetic and is
further classified as a terpenoid. Juvenile hormones
maintain the larval stage in the insect or prevent
QI went to the Hartz® booth at the
Western Veterinary Conference in
February and received a signed copy of
metamorphosis; when the level of juvenile hormone Arden Moore’s Come, Sit, Stay. This book
drops, pupal and adult developmental stages begin. is a fantastic addition to our waiting
room. I love this book and want to know
more about the author.
Q
What kind of safety profiles do
etofenprox and (S)-methoprene have?
AArden Moore held book signings for Hartz® at both
the 2005 and 2006 Western Veterinary Conferences.
At this year’s convention, she signed more than 400
copies of her two new books, Come, Sit, Stay and Tricks
and Treats. Her words have inked the pages of
A
Etofenprox shares structural similarity with type I ester
pyrethroids, but it has a unique ether composition,
which gives it a much higher median lethal dose
(LD50) (which is over 42,880 mg/kg in rats and over
Prevention Magazine, Dog Fancy, Catnip, Veterinary
Practice News, and dozens of national and international
publications. Since 1999, she has written, co-authored,
ghostwritten, and contributed to nearly 30 books on
107,200 mg/kg in mice). The oral LD50 of etofenprox human health, dogs, cats, fitness, herbs, home
in dogs is more than 5,000 mg/kg. improvements, and caregiving. To learn more about
Of the 17 pesticides approved for indoor flea this incredible writer, visit www.ardenmoore.com.
control, (S)-methoprene has the highest LD50 for oral
and dermal doses in rabbits and rats. Because of the WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
minimal absence of risk to humans, animals, or the • Have questions or comments? Call our Consumer Relations
environment, (S)-methoprene has been approved by Department at 800-275-1414 and ask to speak to a Hartz
the World Health Organization for use in drinking staff veterinarian or email us at feedback@hartz.com.
water to control mosquitoes. In dogs, the acute oral • To obtain a Hartz Veterinary Catalog of products,
please call 800-275-1414 or email us at
LD50 is 5,000 to 10,000 mg/kg. (S)-Methoprene is feedback@hartz.com.
not irritating to the skin or eyes.
Additional newsletters may be obtained by contacting us at feedback@hartz.com or by phone at 800-275-1414.
HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • JUNE 2006 • VOL. 4, NO. 2 7

8. These Pals are
For more than 10 years, the American
Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) has
helped thousands of animals in emergency
Life Savers!
life savers
Savers
situations, like earthquakes, hurricanes, fires,
floods and even terrorist attacks.
In honor of their dedicated service, Hartz® is
pleased to announce the new Vet PalsTM plush
toy line. Hartz® Vet PalsTM tell the stories of
animals helped during times of emergency.
But that’s not all. For each Hartz® Vet Pal™
sold, Hartz® donates a portion of the proceeds
VETPALS
™
to the AVMF to help in future aid efforts.
We need your help. Offer Hartz® Vet PalsTM
Plush pet toys designed to make a difference! to your clients, and together we can make a
difference in the lives of so many more animals.
Together, we can save lives.
To order,
visit www.
Vetpals.org
or call
1-888-281-6400.
only
$ 30 00 for the
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