How do tick tablets work on the ticks themselves? - briefly
The tablets deliver an acaricide into the animal’s blood, which the tick ingests during feeding; the compound disrupts the tick’s nervous system, leading to immediate paralysis and death. The lethal effect typically manifests within minutes to a few hours after the tick attaches.
How do tick tablets work on the ticks themselves? - in detail
Oral acaricide tablets are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, enter the bloodstream, and become distributed throughout the host’s tissues. When a tick attaches and feeds, it ingests blood that contains the active compound. The drug then interacts with specific neuronal receptors in the parasite, disrupting normal nerve transmission and leading to rapid paralysis and death.
Key mechanisms include:
- Blockade of GABA‑gated chloride channels – compounds such as fipronil prevent the opening of these channels, causing uncontrolled neuronal firing.
- Inhibition of glutamate‑gated chloride channels – isoxazoline class agents (e.g., afoxolaner, fluralaner, sarolaner) bind to these receptors, resulting in hyperexcitation of the tick’s nervous system.
- Interference with cholinergic signaling – certain formulations affect acetylcholine receptors, further compromising neuromuscular function.
Pharmacokinetic profile:
- Peak plasma concentrations are reached within 2–8 hours after ingestion.
- Half‑life ranges from 12 days (fipronil) to 12 weeks (fluralaner), providing sustained protection.
- Tissue distribution includes skin, fat, and muscle, ensuring that feeding ticks encounter lethal doses regardless of attachment site.
Efficacy considerations:
- Effective against all mobile stages (larva, nymph, adult) that ingest blood.
- Rapid kill time (typically ≤ 8 hours) prevents pathogen transmission.
- Resistance can develop through mutations in target receptors; rotating products with different modes of action mitigates this risk.
Safety profile:
- Selective toxicity for arthropod receptors minimizes adverse effects in mammals.
- Metabolism primarily occurs in the liver, with excretion via urine and feces; dose‑dependent safety margins are well established for dogs and cats.
In summary, oral tick control tablets function by delivering systemic neurotoxic agents that are ingested during blood feeding, targeting chloride‑channel receptors, causing paralysis, and ultimately eliminating the parasite while maintaining a high safety margin for the host.