N-tert-butyl nodulisporamide
Scientists at Merck Research Laboratories have recently discovered a new compound which can be given orally and appears to be effective at preventing fleas and ticks in both cats and dogs. N-tert-butyl nodulisporamide, the compound Merck has discovered, is actually a fungal metabolite. The results of these initial studies is very promising. N-tert-butyl nodulisporamide displayed very high efficacy rates in protecting against both fleas and ticks when given orally once per month. It even appears that this new compound may be more effective than the current topical products on the market. Merck will be continuing to study and develop this new compound as an alternative to the topical solutions that currently dominate the market.
Our dogs are not currently on any topical flea and tick control products because we never have a problem with fleas or ticks (knock on wood). There have been a couple of occasions in the past though where we had to use Frontline or Advantage due to an outbreak. I have always hated these topical treatments. You have to squeeze a large amount of liquid onto your pet’s neck just to have them rub it all over your house as soon as you finish. As much as I despise the drug companies I am pulling for Merck on this one. I would love to be able to buy one medication, give it to my pets orally and be done for the month.
If you are a nerd, like me, the full study can be found in the American Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
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Tags: cats · dogs · flea control2 Comments
You do not need drugs to keep fleas and ticks away. I don’t know what fungal metabolite is, but topical agents contain pesticides that go into your pet’s bloodstream.
I am a dogwalker and every single dog I know who has gotten Lyme’s disease from tick bites has been on frontline and many have been vaccinated against it as well. The vaccine is only effective 50% or less of the time for only one strain of Lyme’s.
I use a home made remedy – and yes, I do spray often – it’s not a hassle, and I prefer not to take the convenient way out at the risk of my dogs’ health. I can vouch for the formula – my dogs are frequent visitors to the woods – tick free for three years.
We live in NJ – land of ticks!
http://bethlowell.com/mysterious-beautiful/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/all-natural-flea-and-tick-repellent-recipe.pdf
Thanks for sharing your home remedy Beth!