Drops from fleas: types, principle of action and method of application

Drops from fleas for cats are an indispensable means of killing feline fleas - Ctenocephalides felis, and drops from fleas for dogs help get rid of canine - Ctenocephalus canis.

These arthropods are bloodsucking insect parasites of domestic animals are representatives of 2,086 existing flea species. And when your Pushok or Mukhtar begin to scrub intensely and bite your teeth into the wool, it is a signal that the animal is "attacked" by the enemy, and you, as a careful master, will have to use drops on the withers against fleas. Such antiparasitic agents are widely used in veterinary medicine, and their assortment is very large.

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The main active substances

Drops from fleas, as well as drops from fleas and ticks for pets contain chemicals and compounds that have a general principle of action. They are applied externally and only penetrate the skin of animals, hair follicles and subcutaneous sebaceous glands, without getting into the blood. On invertebrate parasitic insects, these substances act as neurotoxins: they block the transmission of nerve impulses and inject parasites into a state of paralysis, after which they quickly die.

The list of active substances of insecticacaricidal preparations in the form of drops includes:

• permethrin, phenotrin, etofenprox - pyrethroid insecticides of the second generation, derivatives of dimethyl cyclopropane-carboxylic acid;
• imidacloprid - an insecticide belonging to the group of neonicotinoid compounds (acts exclusively on fleas);
• fipronil and pyriprole - insecticides of the phenylpyrazole group;
• diazinon - phosphorus-containing insecticide.

The active substances S-methoprene and pyriproxyfen, which contain certain agents differ in their pharmacodynamics. These insecticides-juvenoids are synthetic analogues of a special juvenile hormone of insects, regulating the stages of their development. If these substances get into the body of an insect parasite, the normal development of the larval stage that results in the death of the larvae occurs.

How to use flea drops?

The process is simple, and regardless of the name and manufacturer of the drug, any instruction for drops from fleas describes in sufficient detail both its composition, and the way it is used, and the dose.

Most manufacturers of droplets on the withers from these arthropods are released in a convenient and fully ready-to-use form - in soft polymer pipettes-droppers of appropriate dosage, which depends on the age and body weight of the animal.

Drops from fleas are applied once on a spot-on, necessarily on the most inaccessible place for the animal's trunk (so that it is impossible to lick the drug), that is, on the withers. To get the medicine on the skin, you need to carefully spread the coat. If the dog is large, then the tool is applied at several points from the withers along the line of the spine. The solution must dry, and after that it starts to do its job.

Also, the instruction warns that two days before applying the remedy for these arthropods and for such a long time after that the animal should not be exposed to water (washing, swimming in water, rain or snow). Drops from fleas for humans (as for all other vertebrate mammals) used in veterinary practice are not toxins of external influence: after handling the animal, wash hands thoroughly. However, you can not drink during the procedure, and if the drug somehow got on the skin or mucous, you should wash everything off without delay.

By the way, drops from fleas for a person (from human Pulex irritans - the so-called common flea) in pharmacies you will not find because of their absence. Although the bites of this carrier of various microbes are very unpleasant and very unsafe: skin and mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, called a pulicosis, can occur.

But back to our pets ...

Drops from fleas - for cats and dogs

Many owners of domestic tetrapods are wondering: what is more appropriate to use to remove parasites - special shampoos or a flea collar? Of course, drops, because with the help of a collar the fleas can not be withdrawn, since the anti-block collar is a preventive tool for the flea-infested animal.

Veterinarians recommend to get rid of arthropods first wash the animal with a special shampoo, and then apply the remedy. And after this, after 12-15 days, you can wear a collar against fleas.

Today manufacturers of veterinary drugs offer a variety of drops from fleas for cats and drops from fleas to dogs. We have compiled their list, grouping the drugs according to their active substances (as is done in human pharmacology).

Insecticide fenotrin in its pure form is included only in Bars for dogs and cats (RF production). A combination of phenothrin + S-methoprene is used by the American company Hartz Mountain Corporation, which produces Hartz, designed for both cats and dogs. The preparation also contains oils that prevent the product from washing off.

A similar pyrethroid insecticide - permethrin - in combination with imidacloprite (see above - the main active ingredients) include Advantix for dogs weighing up to 40 kg (manufactured by Bayer Health Care, Germany). And pure imidakloprit contain Advantage for cats and dogs of small breeds (up to 8 kg) of the same German manufacturer.

Fipronil (or pyriprole) is an active substance of such drugs as:

• Practitioner (Prac-tic) for dogs, producer - German company Klocke Verpackungs-Service GmbH;
• Frontline (Frontline), manufactured in France; there is a series for cats and dogs (up to 40 kg);
• Rolf Club (Russia) - for cats and dogs (up to 60 kg);
• Barrier (Russia) for dogs and cats.

The "rattling" combination fipronil + permethrin can explain the fact that Cystotel (RF production) is recommended only for adult animals.

Dana (RF) for cats and dogs, as well as Beaphar for dogs (manufacturer - Beaphar BV, Netherlands) have the same chemical basis - highly toxic organic diazinon thiophosphate, acting on fleas, mites, ants and cockroaches.

The Combo Combine (Frontline Combo) manufactured in France uses the interaction of insecticides S-methoprene + fipronil. They destroy both arthropods and all other bloodsucking parasites, but they can only be used for adult cats and dogs.

A Combo (Insektal Combo Rolf Club), produced by the Russian manufacturer, have the same S-methoprene as active ingredients, but in combination with a similar insecticide-like pyriproxyphene. This drug is also used to kill arthropods.

Not included in any of these groups are released in Russia Delix (Natura Delix Bio). These drops refer to veterinary phytopreparations based on natural components of plant origin. The drug contains essential oils of eucalyptus, tea tree and citronella, as well as alcohol extracts of Pyrethrum coccineum flowers, tansy balsamic (kalufer), aloe and ginseng. As stated in the instructions to Delix Natura Bio, these components - "valuable, useful, safe and necessary for health and beauty", are effective from almost all ectoparasites (up to one month), have repellent (repellent insects) effect and are able to have a slight antiseptic and antifungal action.

Drops from fleas and worms - a complex antiparasitic agent

A lawyer (for cats weighing up to 8 kg) is produced by the German company Bayer Health Care. The active ingredients of the preparation are imidacloprid (see above) and moxidectin. If the first substance acts on arthropods, then moxidectin is effective in gastrointestinal nematoses (when infected with round and ribbon helminths). Moxidectin (cidektin) is anthelmintic from the group of macrolides, when applied to the skin penetrates into the body and is adsorbed into the digestive tract. The mechanism of its action is based on the impairment of the transmission of nerve impulses in parasitic worms, which results in complete paralysis of their muscular tissues. The Counselor is used in the same way as other insecticacicidal preparations in the form of a drop.

Inspector TOTAL K is manufactured in the Russian Federation. The active substances are fipronil and moxidectin. The drug Bars Spot-On (also made in Russia) is designed for dogs and cats older than two months. The active substances of these antihelminthic drops are praziquantel and ivermectin. These are antimicrobial and antiparasitic drugs with the same pharmacological mechanism as those with moxidectin. Through the skin, active substances enter the bloodstream, and with blood - into all organs of the animal, including the stomach and intestines. Due to this the duration of action on helminths is not less than 8-12 days.

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Overdose drops from fleas

In case of violation of the dosages indicated in the instructions or the incorrect application of the preparations (and the animal has it) an overdose is possible. If this happens, then dogs and cats can behave restlessly, often breathe, run out of saliva, shake all over the body; possible vomiting and diarrhea.

Particularly unsafe pyrethroid insecticides and preparations based on insecticides of the group of phenylpyrazoles, which can cause poisoning with these drugs.

Veterinarians in such situations advise to wash the animal, and then in a day or two signs of an overdose or poisoning should disappear.

Be careful to use combination drops from arthropods and worms, in particular, containing moxidectin, when exceeding the doses of which there may be problems with the central nervous system of animals.

Reviews of the drops from fleas

According to what responses about flea-drops are most often placed by owners of dogs and cats on the corresponding Internet forums, different animals react to drops from fleas in different ways. And the effectiveness of these drugs is also evaluated in different ways.

Most dog breeders and some caring koshkolyuby use such drops, because they are convenient to use. And, disillusioned with one remedy, they continue their persistent search for more effective and safe antiparasitic drugs.

Price drops from fleas

You yourself understand that the price of drops from fleas largely depends on their producer (the popularity of a particular brand).

For example, the drug Advantage costs 180 UAH. For packing and 46-50 UAH. For a single pipette dropper (with a monthly dose).

One dose (one dropper) of the Rolf Club, as well as Front Line costs 80 UAH; Вeaphar - 62-63 UAH. A package for three doses of medicine Bars (for cats) can be purchased for 50-53 UAH. Or pay 16-17 UAH. For one pipette; about the same price means Barrier.

Drops from fleas and worms will cost more: a German medicine Advocate costs from 390 to 410 UAH. For packing and a minimum of 133 UAH. For one pipette dropper; Inspector - 90 UAH. For a single dose.

It should be borne in mind that fleas are carriers of many dangerous infections (plague rod, salmonella, brucella, infectious hepatitis, etc.). Therefore, these insect parasites need to be ruthlessly combated, in particular, using drops from fleas.