Method and composition for killing parasites on an animal

Abstract

A spot-on pesticide composition for animals, specifically mammals, including dogs and cats, which composition comprises a combination of active components, including fipronil and a pyrethroid, and optionally an insect growth regulator, in doses and proportions which are parasiticidally effective against a variety of insects and pests, and in a formulation which is convenient for local application to the animal's skin, preferably localized over a small surface area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of killing insect and pest pupae and adults on an animal, which method comprises administering a localized cutaneous application between the shoulders of the animal, a spot-on composition comprising about 1% to about 20% (w/w) fipronil, about 1% to about 20% (w/w) etofenprox, about 1% to about 20% (w/w) insect growth regulator, and about 55% to about 85% (w/w) organic solvent, wherein the composition is administered in a volume sufficient to deliver a dosage of fipronil, etofenprox, and insect growth regulator ranging from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 40 mg/kg of animal weight, and wherein at least 90% efficacy against insect and pest pupae is achieved for a period of at least thirty days following administration of the composition to the animal. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is made as a one-time treatment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is made every six weeks. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is made every five weeks. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is made every four weeks. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application is made every week. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a mammal. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mammal comprises a dog or a cat. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spot-on composition additionally comprises about 1% to about 10% (w/w) of an antioxidant. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 95% efficacy is achieved.