Tick drops

Most people who keep pets, with the approach of spring, ask themselves: how to protect their pet from ticks? Indeed, with the arrival of the warm season, the question becomes more and more relevant, and we begin to visit veterinary pharmacies and clinics in search of effective salvation - these can be sprays, solutions, straps or drops from ticks. Usually, such drugs are provided to choose from, and the consumer is confused - and which remedy is better? In this article, we will try to highlight the most popular and effective remedies aimed at parasites.

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Indications for use of drops against ticks

If your pet has access to free walks outside, then a tick attack on it is almost guaranteed, because the insect senses its presence already at a distance of one and a half meters. The parasite immediately begins to hunt for the animal, focusing on its breathing, or more precisely, on the release of carbon dioxide. The most dangerous periods, when tick activity reaches its peak, are spring and autumn. It is at this time that the owners of more than 30% of affected pets turn to veterinarians. Small insects that affect the animal, attach themselves to the skin, feeding on blood (mainly red blood cells) and gradually depleting the host's body, up to a fatal outcome.

How can anti-tick drugs help and when are they used?

• in order to destroy insects on the body of domestic animals (often not only ticks, but also fleas, lice, etc.);
• in order to protect the animal from tick infestation, for prevention, especially in the spring and autumn.

Release form

Most often, tick repellents are produced in drops - in the form of an external solution that has a weak specific aroma and an oily consistency. The oily structure of the drops is explained by the addition of various oils and liquid paraffin.

Most drops are packaged in nylon dropper bottles. Occasionally, a pipette may be needed to use the product.

The packaging with the drug must contain an annotation with information about the name, quantity of the antiparasitic agent, method of its use, serial number and expiration date. The instructions must include the inscription "For veterinary use".

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Pharmacodynamics of drops against ticks

Anti-tick veterinary drugs, as a rule, have activity against fleas, lice, biting lice and ixodid tick parasites simultaneously. The principle of the drops' effectiveness is explained by the blocking of the parasite's vital receptor structures, the disorder of nerve impulse conduction, which in combination provokes the occurrence of paralysis and death of the insect.

The drops affect larvae and mature parasites:

• Ctenocephalides canis;
• Trichodectes;
• Linognatus setosus;
• Ixodes ricinus, scapularis;
• Ripicephalus sanguineus;
• Dermacentor reticulates, variabilis;
• Amblyomma americanum.

Pharmacokinetics of drops against ticks

When applying tick drops to the skin surface of an animal, the active ingredients do not enter the systemic bloodstream, so the drug does not have a general effect on the body. The active ingredients accumulate in the outer layer of the skin, in the hair follicles, sweat glands of the animal and exhibit their effect as an active insecticide and repellent.

The drops can continue to act for 20-24 days after application.

Names of drops against ticks

Tick drops for dogs are designed to create protection for the animal from possible ticks getting on the fur and skin surfaces. Usually, such drugs are well tolerated, and their effect lasts for a long time. All of the drops listed below can be purchased at almost any veterinary pharmacy or pet store.

Drops against ticks for cats are also used to protect the animal from blood-sucking insects. Moreover, they are used regardless of whether the cat is allowed to walk freely outside or not. After all, any of the household members can bring the parasite into the house: for example, on clothes, shoes. The range of drops is quite wide, but we will tell you about the most common drugs.

• Bars tick drops - tick drops on the withers, for cats and dogs from 3 months of age. The product is applied to the skin surfaces along the entire length of the spinal column (in this place it is most difficult for animals to lick the drug). Over the course of 24 hours, the liquid is distributed over the skin without entering the bloodstream. Bars provides protection from blood-sucking parasites for up to 60 days, and from direct tick attacks - up to 30 days. The effect of the veterinary drug does not decrease when washing the animal (without detergent). Components of Bars drops: fipronil, additional ingredients. Bars is effective against entomosis, notoedrosis, sarcoptosis, tick infestations.
• Vectra tick drops - used exclusively for dogs. The solution is represented by dinotefuran, permethrin, pyriproxyfen. It is used for dogs from one and a half kilograms and puppies over 7 weeks old. It disrupts the process of life and reproduction of parasites, breaking the physiological chain of formation of eggs - larvae - pupae - adult parasites. Vectra is effective against ixodid ticks, fleas, lice, biting lice, mosquitoes, flies, midges.
• Certificate tick drops - consists of a set of two liquids. The first liquid is fipronil, methoprene, as well as additional ingredients such as polysorbate, ethyl alcohol, polyvidone, etc. The second liquid is amitraz and octyl acetate. When applied, both liquids mix and have a preventive and insecticidal effect on the surface of the animal's skin. Certificate is used in dogs with entomoses, infection with ixodid ticks, or as a preventive measure for parasitic pathologies: babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, borreliosis, etc. The veterinary drug is also recommended for use in a course of complex therapy for dermatitis of allergic etiology caused by fleas.
• Rolf Club tick drops are an insectoacaricide used in puppies and kittens from 60 days of age. The active components of the drops are fipronil, pyriproxyfen and some other additional components. The drug can serve as a means of preventing and eliminating fleas, ixodid and sarcoptic ticks, lice and lice. Duration of action is 1-2 months.
• Drops from ticks Praktik - used for dogs. Consists of pyriprol, butylhydroxytoluene and diethylglycol monoethyl ether. Contribute to the death of ixodid ticks, lice, lice and fleas, in addition to this, protect the pet from external attacks of parasites. This product is a toxic substance for bees, fish and some other aquatic organisms. It is also not recommended to bathe, stroke the animal, and especially not allow children to play with it for 24 hours after using the veterinary drug.
• Frontline tick drops are a complex preparation that is suitable for both dogs and cats. It is used to get rid of fleas, lice, chewing lice and ticks (ixodid, otodectos, cheilitella). The product is usually dripped into the withers area (neck, shoulder blades). After application, the liquid is distributed over the skin for 24 hours. The product is also used as ear mite drops (for ear scabies). To do this, the product is dripped on average 5 drops into each ear opening, after which the ear is slightly pressed and massaged so that the liquid is completely distributed. It is not recommended to use the product in young individuals under 2 months old.
• Advantix tick drops are an insecticidal acaricidal preparation, represented by imidacloprid and permethrin. It is intended to prevent infection of dogs not younger than 7 weeks. Destroys ticks, fleas, prevents their attack, helps in the treatment of allergic dermatological diseases, and also destroys other small insects.
• Inspector tick drops are universal drops against eye mites, ear mites and other insects in dogs: have a wide range of activity, destroy sarcoptic mites, demodectic mites, ixodid ticks, fleas, lice, lice, larvae and mature nematodes, etc. This veterinary drug treats and prevents entomoses, demodicosis, otodectosis, sarcoptosis, intestinal nematodosis, dirofilariasis. Active ingredients are fipronil and moxidectin. Inspector drops are one of the most complex and effective drugs.
• Stronghold tick drops are an antiparasitic agent, a derivative of selamectin. It kills fleas, nits, ticks (including ear ticks), dirofilaria, nematodes and hookworms. The drug has a number of advantages over its analogues: it does not leave a greasy mark on the fur, it can withstand washing the animal, and does not have an unpleasant odor. It is not forbidden to bathe the animal or play with it even immediately after the drug has dried. The duration of the insecticidal action of the solution is one month. Stronghold is suitable for treating cats and dogs, and is not dangerous for representatives of all breeds.
• Drops from ticks Celandine - are produced in the form of a 2-dose preparation for cats and a 4-dose preparation for dogs. The solution is made on the basis of fipronil and permethrin. The preparation provides: protection from fleas - up to 60 days, protection from ticks - up to 30 days, protection from mosquitoes and midges - up to 30 days. The product is not applied to damaged skin, and is not used for individuals under 2 months.

Method of administration and dosage

Anti-tick products are usually applied using the standard method - one-time, drop by drop, onto dry, whole skin. Use your fingers to spread the pet's fur in the neck area (neck and space between the shoulder blades), drip the product so that it does not spread to places accessible for licking. You can re-treat your pet no earlier than 20 days later.

If the treatment is carried out to get rid of ear mites, the product is dripped directly into the ears (approximately 5 drops), then the ear is folded in half and lightly massaged, evenly distributing the liquid inside the ear. The remainder of the solution is applied to the withers area for prevention.

To destroy a tick that has already attached itself, apply 1 drop directly to the insect. Within 15-20 minutes, the tick should fall off on its own: if this does not happen, it should be carefully removed with tweezers and destroyed.

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Contraindications for the use of drops against ticks

Anti-tick drops are not prescribed:

• sensitive pets prone to allergic reactions;
• animals that are sick or in the recovery stage with infections and inflammatory diseases;
• exhausted and emaciated pets (dogs weighing less than 2 kg, cats weighing less than 1 kg);
• puppies and kittens under 2 months;
• during pregnancy and lactation of animals (sometimes it is possible, but strictly under the supervision of a veterinarian).

It is not recommended to apply the veterinary drug to wet or damaged skin.

The veterinary drug cannot be used in combination with other insecticides.

You cannot bathe your pet for 2 days before applying the product, or after applying it.

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Side effects of tick drops

In most cases, side effects when using anti-tick external veterinary drugs are rare or not observed at all. Occasionally, when using an insecticide, some pets may experience signs of hypersensitivity - allergies, which manifests itself in the form of redness and itching of the skin. Such symptoms disappear on their own within a few days: additional use of anti-allergic medications is usually not required.

Extremely rare side effects include:

• impaired coordination of movements, unsteadiness of gait;
• trembling of the limbs;
• rapid breathing;
• increased salivation (usually when the animal licks the medicine).

All of the listed symptoms are not dangerous and disappear within 1-3 days.

Overdose

There have been no cases of overdose of drops against ticks so far. Experimental studies and tests have proven that exceeding the dose of drugs by 3 times does not provoke the development of side effects. In some cases, increased salivation or incessant chewing appears, which can be explained by the individual sensitivity of the pet to the ingredients of the antiparasitic agent.

Interactions with other drugs

Do not use multiple insecticides at the same time.

It is not recommended to use antiparasitic agents together with veterinary medications that contain macrocyclic lactones.

Storage conditions

It is recommended to store anti-tick products in their original packaging. The storage location should be dry, shaded from sunlight, away from food products and out of reach of children. The storage temperature range is from +15°C to +25°C.

The shelf life of the drops is up to 3 years. For more detailed information on storage requirements and shelf life, see the instructions for specific drugs.

Reviews of drops against ticks

If you find a tick in your pet's body, you should definitely remove it with tweezers, first treating the bite site with cologne, alcohol tincture or vegetable oil. This should be done as carefully as possible so as not to tear off the tick's head - otherwise, this can lead to inflammation and suppuration. The remaining wound (bite site) should be treated with an antiseptic solution (alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, etc.).

In the future, to prevent parasites from getting on the animal's fur, it is necessary to take preventive measures - use antiparasitic drops. It is better to change such preparations periodically to avoid adaptation ("habituation") of insects to the insectoacaricidal substance.

Remember: tick infestation is not such a harmless situation. It can end tragically for the animal. Small unsightly bugs bite into the body of a cat or dog, feeding on their blood (erythrocytes). At the same time, they reproduce quite actively, which sooner or later leads to the death of the pet.

Therefore, it is always recommended to take care of your pet in advance and use tick drops in advance.