Certifect for Dogs is for the treatment and prevention of flea and tick infestations in dogs. Certifect begins killing ticks on dogs in as little as 2 hours and eliminates >90% of them in 24 hours - faster than any other product. It also delivers integrated flea control, killing adult fleas and preventing eggs and larvae from developing. The product can be used as part of a treatment strategy for the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) and is available in 4 sizes: Small Dog 3 Pipette, Medium Dog 3 Pipette, Large Dog 3 Pipette and Extra Large Dog 3 Pipette.

Presentation
Spot-on solution.
Dogs 2-10 kg: 1 pipette of 1.07 ml contains fipronil 67 mg, (S)-methoprene 60.3 mg, amitraz 80 mg.
Dogs 10-20 kg: 1 pipette of 2.14 ml contains fipronil 134 mg, (S)-methoprene 120.6 mg, amitraz 160 mg.
Dogs 20-40 kg: 1 pipette of 4.28 ml contains fipronil 268 mg, (S)-methoprene 241.2 mg, amitraz 320 mg.
Dogs 40-60 kg: 1 pipette of 6.42 ml contains fipronil 402 mg, (S)-methoprene 361.8 mg, amitraz 480 mg.

Also contains butylhydroxyanisole (0.02%) and butylhydroxytoluene (0.01%).

Uses
Treatment and prevention of infestations in dogs by ticks (Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, Haemaphysalis elliptica, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Amblyomma americanum and Amblyomma maculatum) and fleas (Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis).
Treatment of infestations by chewing lice (Trichodectes canis).
Prevention of environmental flea contamination by inhibiting the development of all flea immature stages.
The product can be used as part of a treatment strategy for the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD).
Elimination of fleas and ticks within 24 hours. One treatment prevents further infestations for 5 weeks by ticks and for up to 5 weeks by fleas.
The treatment indirectly reduces the risk of transmission of tick-borne disease (canine babesiosis, monocytic ehrlichiosis, granulocytic anaplasmosis and borreliosis) from infected ticks for 4 weeks.

Dosage and administration
Dosage
1 dual cavity pipette of 1.07 ml per dog weighing 2-10 kg;
1 dual cavity pipette of 2.14 ml per dog weighing 10-20 kg;
1 dual cavity pipette of 4.28 ml per dog weighing 20-40 kg;
1 dual cavity pipette of 6.42 ml per dog weighing 40-60 kg;
corresponding to a minimum recommended dose of 6.7 mg/kg bodyweight for fipronil, 6 mg/kg for (S)-methoprene and 8 mg/kg for amitraz.

Treatment schedule
Monthly intervals throughout the tick and/or flea seasons, based on local epidemiological situations.

Advice on correct administration
Select the appropriate pipette size for the weight of the dog. For dogs over 60 kg, use the appropriate combination of two pipettes that most closely matches the bodyweight.

Method of administration
For a pack of 3 pipettes, first separate one blister from the others by tearing along the perforation. Use a pair of scissors to cut the blister along the dotted line (or fold on the corner as shown and pull the foil away).
Remove the pipette and hold it upright. Cut off the pipette tip with a pair of scissors. Part the coat until the skin is visible. Place the tip of the pipette on the skin. Squeeze the pipette, apply about half of the contents half way down the neck between the base of the skull and the shoulder blades. Repeat the application at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades to empty the pipette.

Contra-indications, warnings, etc
For animal treatment only.
Do not use on sick (e.g. systemic diseases, diabetes, fever) or convalescent animals.
Do not use on rabbits or cats.
Certifect remains effective after exposure to sunlight or if the animal becomes wet after rain, bathing or water immersion. However, shampooing or immersion of the animal in water directly after treatment or frequent shampooing may reduce the duration of activity. In these cases do not treat more frequently than once a fortnight. Treated animals should not be bathed until 48 hours after treatment. If the dog requires shampooing, it is better to do so before applying the product.
All stages of fleas can infest the dog's basket, bedding and regular resting areas such as carpets and soft furnishings. In case of massive flea infestation and at the beginning of the control measures these areas should be treated with a suitable environmental product and then vacuumed regularly.
After treatment with Certifect ticks will generally be killed and fall off the dog within 24 hours after infestation without having a blood meal. However, the attachment of single ticks after treatment cannot be excluded. For this reason the transmission of infectious diseases cannot be completely excluded if conditions are unfavourable.
Avoid contact with the dog's eyes.
Spot-on application only. Do not administer orally or via any other route.
It is important to make sure that the product is applied to dry skin where the animal cannot lick it off and to make sure that animals do not lick each other following treatment. The treated area may appear wet or oily after treatment.
In the absence of additional safety studies, do not repeat the treatment at intervals of less than 2 weeks, do not treat puppies less than 8 weeks of age and dogs less than 2 kg bodyweight (b.w.).
Dogs should be prevented from accessing streams and rivers for 48 hours following treatment.
Can be used during pregnancy and lactation. Safety was demonstrated in breeding, pregnant and lactating animals treated at 28 day intervals with multiple consecutive doses of up to 3 times the maximum recommended dose.
Transient skin reactions at the application site (skin discolouration, local hair loss, itching, redness) and general itching or hair loss may occur on rare occasions. If dogs lick the application site after treatment excessive salivation, vomiting, hyperglycaemia, increased sensitivity to stimulation, lethargy, bradycardia or bradypnea may also be observed. Signs are transitory and generally resolve without treatment within 24 hours.
Safety has been demonstrated with up to 5 times the recommended dose in healthy adult dogs (treated up to 6 times at two-week intervals) and in puppies (aged 8 weeks treated once).
Safety was also demonstrated in breeding, pregnant and lactating animals treated at 28-day intervals with multiple consecutive doses of up to 3 times the maximum recommended dose.
The risk of experiencing adverse reactions (see section 4.6) may however increase with overdosing, so animals should always be treated with the correct pipette size according to bodyweight.
Known side-effects of amitraz and its metabolites are due to alpha-2-adreno-receptor agonist effects. They may consist of hypersalivation, vomiting, lethargy, hyperglycaemia, bradycardia or bradypnea.
Signs are transitory and generally resolve without treatment within 24 hours.
If symptoms are severe or persist, alternatively the antidote alpha-2-adreno-receptor antagonist atipamezole hydrochloride may be used.

Operator safety
This product may cause skin sensitisation, allergic reactions and mild eye irritation in humans. Animals or persons with a known hypersensitivity to any of the active ingredients or excipients should avoid contact which, on very rare occasions, can cause respiratory irritation and dermal reactions in certain individuals. The use of protective gloves is recommended.
Avoid direct contact with the application site. Children should not be allowed to play with treated animals until the application site is dry. It is therefore recommended that animals are not treated during the day, but during the early evening, and that recently treated animals are not allowed to sleep with owners, especially children.
This product contains amitraz, which can lead to neurological side-effects in individuals. Amitraz is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI); therefore, people taking MAOI-containing medication should take particular care.
To minimise the potential for inhalation, apply in the open air or in a well ventilated area.
Do not smoke, drink or eat whilst handling.
Wash hands thoroughly after use.
Used pipettes should be disposed of immediately. Stored pipettes must be kept in the intact foil package.
In case of accidental spillage onto skin, wash off immediately with soap and water. If the product accidentally gets into the eyes they should be flushed thoroughly with water.
If side effects are noted, seek immediate medical assistance and show the package leaflet or label to the physician.

Further information
The product is an insecticidal and acaricidal solution for topical use containing adulticidal active ingredients, fipronil and amitraz, in combination with an ovicidal and larvicidal active ingredient, (S)-methoprene.
Fipronil is an insecticide and acaricide belonging to the phenylpyrazole family. Fipronil and its metabolite fipronil sulfone act at ligand-gated chloride channels, in particular those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as well as desensitising (D) and non-desensitising (N) channels gated by glutamate (Glu, unique invertebrate ligand-gated chloride channels), thereby blocking pre- and post-synaptic transfer of chloride ions across cell membranes. This results in uncontrolled activity of the central nervous system and death of insects or acari.
(S)-Methoprene is an insect growth regulator (IGR) of the class of compounds known as juvenile hormone analogues that inhibit the development of immature stages of insects. This compound mimics the action of juvenile hormone and causes impaired development and death of the developing stages of fleas. The on-animal ovicidal activity of (S)-methoprene results from either direct penetration of the eggshell of newly laid eggs or from absorption through the cuticle of the adult fleas. (S)-methoprene is also effective in preventing flea larvae and pupae from developing, which prevents contamination of the environment of treated animals with the immature stages of fleas.
Amitraz is a formamidine acaricide that acts as an agonist on octopamine receptors causing an over-stimulation of octopaminergic synapses in acari, resulting in tremors and convulsions. Moreover, at sublethal concentrations these compounds have the ability to cause anorexia in acari and suppress their reproduction. Specific tick detachment properties described as an expellant action causing ticks to withdraw their mouthparts rapidly and fall off the host animal have been reported for amitraz.
The combination of amitraz and fipronil acts on multiple sites of the nervous systems of ticks. A low dose of amitraz together with fipronil has shown synergistic efficacy against ticks resulting in an increased speed of kill (starting at 2 hours and greater than 90% at 24 hours) and a longer duration of activity when compared to the active substances administered alone.
Certifect treatment causes detachment of ticks when applied to a dog with a pre-existing infestation, disrupts attachment and rapidly kills ticks within 24 hours thus inhibiting the blood meal and the concomitant risk of transmission of tick-borne pathogens. The risk of developing canine babesiosis, monocytic ehrlichiosis, granulocytic anaplasmosis and borreliosis for 4 weeks is thereby indirectly reduced.
Studies have demonstrated that there is no pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interaction in mammals between fipronil, (S)-methoprene and amitraz.