Parasite Control: So Many Products to Choose From!

For anyone owning a pet, fighting the dreaded fleas and ticks can be a daunting task. These parasites can expose our pets to a variety of debilitating diseases and spark a cascade of itchy, infected skin reactions. In today’s market, there are so many products to choose from that it can be overwhelming for the average pet owner. Each product seems to make claims to be the best one and the safest for your pet. Some are topical, some are given orally, some treat just fleas OR ticks, some work for more than one parasite pest, some are given once a month while others every 8 months. Another factor to remember when deciding on parasite control is home environment. With most topicals and collars, you need to consider young children and their possible unwanted exposure to a pesticide. A pet that gets bathed or swims regularly may wash their product out and leave it less effective or need more frequent applications. If a pet lives in an area that does not see ticks as an issue, do you need a flea AND tick product? So with all of this in mind, how do you pick one?

Be Informed About the Good and Bad Aspects of Each Product

The best way to pick the right parasite product for your pet is to know how they work, what their limitations are, and possible side effects to consider. It is safest for your pet to use products recommended by your veterinarian as the product label directs. Inappropriate application and using inferior products can easily result in a life threatening toxicity issue for your animal companion. At Haven Lake Animal Hospital we carry our favorite products that cover a wide spectrum of pet needs and possible applications.

For Cats/Kittens:

Advantage– This is a topical product that kills fleas only and is applied monthly. It is not absorbed systemically and is safe for use in kittens 8 weeks and older as well as the geriatric and the not-so-healthy pet.

Easy Spot (from the makers of Parastar) – This is a monthly topical product that kills fleas and ticks. It is not absorbed systemically and is safe for kittens 12 weeks and older.

Revolution– This is a once a month product that is applied topically but gets absorbed into the body. Revolution kills fleas, ear mites, deworms for some intestinal parasites, and protects against heartworm infection. This makes it a great solution for indoor/outdoor cats that may have potential exposure to a larger variety of parasites. It does not protect against ticks and may not be a good choice in a sick or geriatric pet.
*for all topicals: Use caution handling pet around application site for 24 hours after application until product is absorbed into the hair follicles. Bathing after application may reduce the efficacy of the product leading to parasite breakthrough before the next application.

Seresto Collar– This collar is safe in kittens 7 weeks and older. It will kill fleas AND ticks for up to 8 months. The product is continually released from the collar and sits in the hair follicles/on the coat like a topical. Frequent bathing (more than once monthly) will reduce efficacy and shorten the life of the collar. Use caution around young children to avoid ingestion/chewing on collar.

For Dogs/Puppies:

Advantage- This is a topical product that kills fleas only and is applied monthly. It is not absorbed systemically and is safe for use in puppies 8 weeks and older as well as the geriatric and the not-so-healthy pet.
Parastar– This is a once monthly topical product that kills fleas AND ticks. It is not absorbed systemically and is safe in puppies 12 weeks and older.
*for all topicals: Use caution handling pet around application site for 24 hours after application until product is absorbed into the hair follicles. Bathing after application may reduce the efficacy of the product leading to parasite breakthrough before the next application.
Seresto Collar–This collar is safe in puppies 7 weeks and older. It will kill fleas AND ticks for up to 8 months. The product is continually released from the collar and sits in the hair follicles/on the coat like a topical. Frequent bathing (more than once monthly) will reduce efficacy and shorten the life of the collar. Use caution around young children to avoid ingestion/chewing on collar.
Comfortis- This is a once monthly oral product used to kill fleas only. It is safe in puppies 14 weeks and older and healthy adult dogs. It is not a good choice for dogs with seizure disorders, sensitive stomachs (vomiting has been reported), or compromised with other medical conditions. Comfortis will not be washed out with frequent bathing and may be a good choice for pets that are groomed often or homes with young children.
Bravecto– This is an oral product given once every 3 months to kill fleas AND ticks. It is safe in puppies 6 months or older. Dogs with seizure disorders CAN take this product. As with Comfortis, some dogs will have occasional vomiting after getting treatment. Bravecto will not be washed out with frequent bathing and may be a good choice for pets that are groomed often or homes with young children.

Listen to Your Veterinarian for Safe Recommendations

Proper parasite control can be vital in maintaining your animal companion’s good health and well-being. As we all know, there are a million (it seems) other products available in the stores, online, and advertised on TV. It is safest for both you and your pet to choose one that is veterinarian recommended and will best match your home situation and pet needs. Still not sure which choice is right for you? Give us a call and we can help walk you through the options and choose the one that will be the best fit for your pet.