What is Fipronil used for?

Fipronil is indicated for: and lice, Flea and tick control, Fleas, ticks, ticks and lice.

Which species have cited Fipronil dosing data?

Fipronil dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 3 species: Dog (Domestic), Mouse, Pet Rat.

Is Fipronil a controlled substance?

Fipronil is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Fipronil

US brand names:Frontline

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Contraindicated in Rabbit

Rabbit: Fipronil causes neurotoxicosis in rabbits and is not licensed for themFipronil (Frontline and similar spot-ons) is associated with anorexia, lethargy, seizures and death in rabbits, and is explicitly not licensed for them. Never apply fipronil to rabbits; use imidacloprid or selamectin for ectoparasites. Outcome is not uniformly fatal — the cited report describes two rabbits that recovered within 24 hours of decontamination and supportive care after accidental exposure — so treat a known exposure as an emergency to be managed, not a lost cause.

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Fipronil is dosed at 7.5 mg/kg topical q30-60d in pet rats, per Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antiparasitic

Routes

TOPICAL

Mechanism of Action

Blocks GABA-gated chloride channels in invertebrate nervous system, causing hyperexcitation and death of fleas and ticks.

Side effects & warnings

TOXIC to rabbits. External use only. May cause transient skin irritation. Seizures reported in rabbits — do NOT use in rabbits. Safe in dogs and cats.

Species with Fipronil dosing data (3 dose rules)

Dog (Domestic)Mouse Pet Rat

Species references:All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Mouse drugs All Pet Rat drugs

Evidence levels across 3 dose rules

Strong×1Weak×1Moderate×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (1 of 3 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 3 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	TOPICAL	6.7 applicator per weight band (NOT mg/kg)	q30d	Strong	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1453, Fipronil/Fipronil Combinations, Topical monograph spanning p.1453-1455.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Backed by 3 published sourcesShow

· 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents).
· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.777 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Rodents).
· Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1453, Fipronil/Fipronil Combinations, Topical monograph spanning p.1453-1455.

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