Groundbreaking Study Showed Bayer's Advantage Multi® for Dogs (imidacloprid + moxidectin) Topical Solution was the only Heartworm Preventive Tested That Demonstrated 100 Percent Efficacy against the Challenging MP3 Strain

SHAWNEE, Kan. Jan. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new comparative study evaluating the efficacy of four leading heartworm preventives, only Bayer's Advantage Multi® for Dogs (imidacloprid + moxidectin) Topical Solution was 100 percent effective after a single treatment against the MP3 strain of Dirofilaria Immitis. The study results were recently published online in Veterinary Parasitology and will be presented by Byron Blagburn, MS, PhD, Auburn University at the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday, January 18, 2011.

The blinded, comparative study titled "Comparative efficacy of four commercially available heartworm preventive products against the MP3 laboratory strain of Dirofilaria immitis," tested the efficacy of four heartworm preventives in dogs infected with the challenging MP3 heartworm strain of D. Immitis. Results showed that 100 percent of dogs (8 out of 8) treated with Advantage Multi® for Dogs remained negative for heartworms, compared with 12 percent of dogs (1 out of 8) in all other treatment groups. The relevance of this in vivo study has not been demonstrated for all heartworm strains.

"Members of the veterinary community have expressed concerns regarding the efficacy of some heartworm preventives, which could leave dogs susceptible to this potentially fatal disease," said Dr. Blagburn. "This study provides compelling information.  In this study involving the MP3 strain, Advantage Multi for Dogs was the only product that protected all dogs from heartworm infection."

Following a protocol that mirrored studies conducted for FDA heartworm efficacy approval, the study compared the efficacy of leading preventives including Advantage Multi® for Dogs, Revolution® (selamectin), Interceptor® (milbemycin oxime) and Heartgard® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate), in addition to an untreated control group. A total of 40 dogs (5 groups of 8 dogs each) were infected with 100 L3 larvae, and products were administered once according to label recommendations 30 days following infection. Necropsies were conducted 150 days following infection to allow time for larvae to develop into adult heartworms. At the time of approval of these heartworm preventives, FDA required demonstration of 100 percent efficacy after a single treatment for product approval, using a similar protocol.

"Heartworm is a deadly disease that has been increasing in incidence in the United States, despite all efforts to prevent it. Veterinarians need a product that they can trust at all times," said Dr. Cristiano von Simson, Veterinary Technical Services Director, Bayer Animal Health. "This study demonstrated that when dogs were infected with this challenging heartworm strain, only Advantage Multi for Dogs protected 100 percent after a single treatment."

About the Study

The study protocol followed Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Veterinary International Committee for Harmonization (VICH) guidelines, as well as FDA requirements for a registration laboratory study. As the study utilized the MP3 heartworm strain, the relevance of this laboratory study has not been demonstrated for all heartworm strains. The MP3 strain was isolated in 2006 from a dog in northwest Georgia with no known history of exposure to heartworm preventives. This study was sponsored by Bayer Animal Health.  

About Advantage Multi® for Dogs

CAUTION: Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. WARNINGS: For the first 30 minutes after application: Ensure that dogs cannot lick the product from application sites on themselves or other treated dogs, and separate treated dogs from one another and from other pets to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion. Ingestion of this product by dogs may cause serious adverse reactions including depression, salivation, dilated pupils, incoordination, panting, and generalized muscle tremors. In avermectin sensitive dogs, the signs may be more severe and may include coma and death. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not administer this product orally. Do not use this product on cats. HUMAN WARNINGS: Children should not contact application site for two hours.

For more information on Advantage Multi® for Dogs and heartworm disease, visit: advantagemulti.petparents.com  

About Bayer Animal Health

Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. With sales of EUR 977 million (2009), Bayer's Animal Health business is one of the world's leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs. The division manufactures and markets approximately 100 different veterinary drugs and care products for food-supplying animals and companion animals. U.S. Headquarters for Bayer Animal Health is located in Shawnee, Kansas.

© Bayer, the Bayer Cross and Advantage Multi are registered trademarks of Bayer.

SOURCE Bayer Animal Health