The Rip Van Wrinkler, Volume XVIII, Issue 2, May 2014

Page 15 <previous page> <next page>

CERTIFECT-TRIGGERED PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS

Patty Ewing (Angell Animal Medical Center)

Patty & Danblue

Special thanks to dermatologist Thierry Olivry and his group at NCSU for publishing this important documentation of CERTIFECT-TRIGGERED PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS.

Certifect is a topical ectoparasiticide (repels/kills fleas and ticks; contains Fipronil, which is in Frontline and some other topical ectoparasiticides, + amitraz and methoprene).

My whippet Bridget shown below was one of the first dogs that experienced the awful autoimmune skin disease triggered by this topical product. It was a nightmare that lasted 2 years (2011-2012). Fortunately, Bridget was one of the lucky ones that recovered but it required many months of treatment. I learned important lessons about the side effects of topical medications from this unfortunate experience.

I greatly appreciate Angell dermatologist Klaus Loft's help with getting Bridget past this and for submitting her case information so that it could be included in this study.

Vet Dermatol 2014; 25: 103-e30. Fipronil–amitraz–S-methoprene-triggered pemphigus

Bridget

Patty added:

My point in mentioning the pemphigus case with Vectra 3D is that maybe this is caused by an ingredient in the carrier rather than drugs themselves. I don't know if there is any common ingredient in the carriers of Certifect, Promeris or Vectra 3D because they are not required to include that information on the label. They just list them as "other ingredients", which by the way make up over 50% of the total product.

Certifect just came out in 2011. Are you sure that is the topical you are using? Or are you using Frontline? If Frontline, be aware that this autoimmune skin disease has not been reported with Frontline to the best of my knowledge. It has only been reported with Certifect and Promeris both of which contain Amitraz and *may* have similar carriers. Promeris is no longer on the market.

The article also mentions a recent report of contact-triggered pemphigus after administration of another topical flea preventative, Vectra 3D, which contains different drugs than Promeris and Certifect.