Cimicoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor used in veterinary medicine to treat dogs for pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and for the management of pain and inflammation associated with surgery. Limited data are available on cimicoxib, with one study documenting non-inferiority compared to carprofen in managing postoperative pain for dogs undergoing either orthopedic or soft tissue surgery. There are some data available as part of cimicoxib’s approval process in Europe to support its use for chronic pain.

Mitratapide is a potent inhibitor of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein used for the treatment of obesity in dogs. The drug was developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica and is chemically related to the antifungal drugs such as itraconazole which were also developed by Janssen. Administration of mitratapide to dogs results in reduced uptake of dietary lipids, dose dependent decreases in serum cholesterol and triglyceride and an increased presence of triglyceride containing droplets in enterocytes. Mitratapide also has a slight appetite decreasing effect that is claimed to be associated with its mode of action. Vomiting, diarrhoea or softened stools may occur during treatment. In most cases, these effects are mild and transient.

Difloxacin is an aryl fluoroquinolone derivative. The primary bacterial target of fluoroquinolones is the enzyme deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase. Difloxacin is very potent against a broad spectrum of bacteria including aerobic ana anaerobic gram-positive and gram-negative oragnisms. DICURAL® (difloxacin hydrochloride) TABLETS are indicated for the management of diseases in dogs associated with bacteria susceptible to difloxacin.

Imepitoin (AWD 131–138 or ELB 138; 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-morpholino-imidazolin-2-one) is a new anti-epileptic drug recently approved in the European Union for the treatment of canine idiopathic epilepsy. It was developed from a series of imidazolinones due to its pronounced ant seizure activity in a large variety of rodent models of epileptic seizures, combined with a high tolerability in these models. Imepitoin is a centrally acting antiepileptic substance, which crosses the blood brain barrier without involvement of active transport or active clearance, resulting in immediate equilibrium between plasma and brain. Imepitoin acts as low-affinity partial agonists at the benzodiazepine (BZD) site of the GABAA receptor. Hopefully, that the favorable profile of imepitoin for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs will reactivate the interest in partial BZD site agonists as new treatments for human epilepsy.

Afoxolaner (brand name NexGard) is a member of an isoxazoline class of compounds, which is used to kill adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations, and the treatment and control of Black-legged tick, American Dog tick, Lone Star tick, and Brown dog tick infestations in dogs and puppies. Afoxolaner is a member of the isoxazoline family, shown to bind at a binding site to inhibit insect and acarine ligand-gated chloride channels, in particular those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), thereby blocking pre- and post-synaptic transfer of chloride ions across cell membranes. Afoxolaner blocks native and expressed insect GABA-gated chloride channels with nanomolar potency. Prolonged afoxolaner-induced hyperexcitation results in uncontrolled activity of the central nervous system and death of insects and acarines.

Sarolaner is a member of the isoxazoline class of parasiticides. It is sold under the brand name Simparica, indicated for the treatment of tick infestations (Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes hexagonus, Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus), as well as of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis) in dogs. The primary target of action of sarolaner in insects and acarines is functional blockade of ligand-gated chloride channels (GABA-receptors and glutamate-receptors). Sarolaner blocks GABA- and glutamate-gated chloride channels in the central nervous system of insects and acarines. Disruption of these receptors by sarolaner prevents the uptake of chloride ions by GABA and glutamate gated ion channels, thus resulting in increased nerve stimulation and death of the target parasite. Sarolaner exhibits higher functional potency to block insect/acarine receptors compared to mammalian receptors.

Fluralaner, isoxazoline class compound, is a systemic insecticide and acaricide with antiparasitic activity against cat and dog fleas and ticks. Fluralaner is an inhibitor of the arthropod nervous system. Fluralaner inhibits γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels (GABACls) and L-glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls). Potency of fluralaner is comparable to fipronil (a phenylpyrazole ectoparasiticide). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it under the trade name Bravecto for flea and tick treatment and prevention in dogs in May 2014. Bravecto kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis) and the treatment and control of tick infestations [Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)] in dogs and puppies 6 months of age and older. Bravecto is also indicated for the treatment and control of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) infestations in dogs and puppies 6 months of age and older.