THE KEYS TO WINNING THE WAR AGAINST TICKS AND FLEAS IN CATS

Choice and compliance

Treat regularly, control ticks and fleas, reduce incidence of skin irritation and dermatitis, help prevent transmission of pathogens from animals to humans and contribute to both animal and human health. Simple isn’t it?

The risk is rising but owners remain unaware of the problem

In contrast to what we might think and the widespread use of parasiticides, tick and flea numbers seem to be on the increase. Climate change, particularly global warming, as well as increased movement of pets and people, impacts both the density and geographical spread of arthropods⁶ with studies across Europe showing an increasing challenge, abundance and distribution of ticks and fleas.^2,7

What is also interesting (and worrying) about infestations is that they are often accompanied by a lack of owner awareness and understanding. In the Bond et al. study 15 years ago⁸, over half the owners were unaware their pet had a flea infestation, and just over a third of cat owners were “unaware that if their pet had fleas then the large part of the fleas’ life cycle (eggs, larvae and pupae) would be developing in their home environment”. There have been some more recent research and surveys showing that this lack of awareness of ectoparasites persists in many countries^8,9 and certainly many veterinary professionals would recognise this low level of awareness amongst cat owners in their practices, even today.

“Effective flea and tick control, whilst forming a routine part of veterinary practice, has never been more important with studies showing rising abundance of both these parasites, and the diseases they cause in animals and humans” says Dr Ian Wright, Guideline Director at the European Scientific Council Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP).

Effectiveness versus efficacy

There has been continued development of new compounds to tackle ticks and fleas but more importantly, recently there has been increased focus on designing parasiticide treatments specific for cats, which has led to newer, more ‘cat-friendly’ options such as tiny tasty tablets

This increased choice of treatments is important because it enables vets to provide a more ‘bespoke’ approach to parasite control that can be tailored to the individual needs and preferences of each cat and cat owner, leading to better compliance and lower disruption of the cat and cat owner bond. Without compliance even the most efficacious product can be ineffective and perceived as a bad performer.

So how do you get your clients to follow your advice and consistently use treatments as prescribed? Dr Ian Wright suggests, in his article in 2018⁷, that products should go beyond the fast elimination of ticks and fleas on the animal (most of the products do a good job at this when used correctly, and take into account convenience, ease-of-administration and affordability, which have a big impact on client compliance.

Compliance can be more challenging in cats

Ease-of-administration is particularly important when it comes to cats, as they can often be more difficult to give treatments to, as compared to dogs. Cats are independent, strong-minded and fierce creatures, much less prone to seek their owners’ approval and reward, making treatment administration a regular source of stress and disruption for both cats and those around them. As Ian points out “adverse behavioural and physiological reactions by cats to treatment administration can deter owners from treating them if other treatment modalities are then not available.”⁷

ESCCAP highlights that having a range of different treatment options and administration routes, and discussing these with the client is an important part of maximising compliance.⁷

Are you asking your clients what they would prefer?

For years, a restricted range of options for tick and flea prevention and treatment in cats, was seen as a barrier to effective control. We are now in an era of choice – both for us as vets and for cat owners as consumers. There is a range of efficacious treatments available but ensuring that they are effective means really understanding your cat owner’s world, recommending a treatment that fits conveniently with their individual routines and whose administration is as stress-free and simple as possible.

That will mean different options for different owners, and we – vets, cat owners, the Animal Health Industry – have a duty to explore and overcome potential barriers to compliance, perhaps starting with simply asking cat owners if they have a preference for a tiny tablet for example, so that we can continue to make as big a contribution as possible, to both animal and human health.