Means for protecting dogs from ticks

 Means for protecting dogs from ticks can be divided into two groups:

1. repellents that have a deterrent effect
2. insectoacaricides that cause the death of parasites.

Types: tablets, drops on the withers, collars, as well as sprays and ampoules with essential oils, biomagnetic cards and ultrasonic key fobs. All means of protection, except for tablets, are not absorbed into the blood. There are also vaccines against piroplasmosis, but their main task is not to prevent the disease, but to reduce the number of deaths. Vaccination does not replace the treatment of the dog with protective equipment.

Drops at the withers

After application, the active substance is distributed over the subcutaneous fat, accumulates in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of dogs and is gradually released, repelling or destroying fleas and ticks. It is necessary to buy pipettes with drops strictly according to the weight of the dog, apply directly to the skin and do not bathe the dog 3 days before and within 3 days after treatment. The onset of action is 3-5 days after application. Carefully read the instructions: how much the pipette is designed for, how long protection is guaranteed, from what age the dog can use the drug, is it suitable for pregnant and lactating bitches.

Collars

The advantage of collars is that their validity period is 5-7 months, but it must be worn without removing it. The main disadvantage is that the active substance is released from the collar, and it is difficult to constantly monitor the presence of contact between the collar and the coat and skin of dogs. The beginning of the action of the collars is 2-3 days after the start of use.

Sprays

The meaning of the use of sprays in their repellent (repellent) action. Spray the whole dog, not forgetting the ears, muzzle and stomach. Sprays begin to act immediately after application. Until the coat is completely dry, animals should not be allowed to lick off the drug.

Pills

There are tablets based on fluralaner and based on afoxolaner. The duration of action of drugs based on fluralaner is 12 weeks, based on afoxolaner – 4 weeks. The tablets cause the death of parasites. The drugs are not given to puppies under the age of 8 weeks and weighing less than 2 kg. During pregnancy and lactation, preparations based on fluralaner are allowed to be used, preparations based on afoxolaner are recommended to be used under the supervision of a veterinarian. The main plus of the tablets is that the drug is only in the circulatory system and is not excreted on the skin. Therefore, the tablets do not lose their effectiveness when exposed to sunlight or frequent water procedures. But they do not scare away ticks, but kill them only after the parasite bites the dog.

Biological preparations based on vegetable oils

The advantages include the lack of addiction to them in insects and the danger to the health of people and animals. These funds are usually approved for use by pregnant, lactating, sick and debilitated animals, puppies, because they do not contain toxic substances. Their only effect is in the additional repellent protection of the dog before each exit to the street (but not instead of the main funds!) Do not forget that the effect of sprays decreases in the sun even after swimming!

Other means of protecting dogs from ticks

In extreme cases, preventive injections. Their validity period is from 2 weeks to 1 month. Such protection has 2 significant disadvantages: firstly, the reaction to the drug is individual and it is quite difficult to accurately determine the dosage and duration of the drug. Secondly, this drug is toxic to the liver.

Magnetic cards and ultrasonic key fobs

They are safe for animals and humans. They do not have a toxic effect. Approved for use in lactating, pregnant and debilitated dogs. They can be used as additional means of protection.

Active Ingredients in Dog Tick Remedies

Most Effective  2nd generation pyrethroids are considered: permethrin, deltamethrin, cyfenotrin, flumethrin, fipronil, pyriprol. Permethrin with fipronil is considered the safest for humans and dogs.pyrethroids – these are environmentally friendly substances that do not migrate in soil and water, do not kill earthworms. At the same time, synthetic pyrethroids are toxic to parasites.Permethrin recommended not only for use in veterinary medicine, but also in medicine (WHO recommendation), and in everyday life. Permethrin quickly acts on ticks, and at the same time repels and destroys them. True, there is a drawback – the active substance decomposes in the light.

Note! Permethrin is dangerous for cats: they can get poisoned. If you have both a dog and a cat at home, you must be very careful when using protective products containing permethrin. If these are drops, do not allow the cat to contact the dog immediately after treatment! It is better not to use collars on permethrin at all.

 Organophosphorus compounds (tetrachlorvinphos, karbofos, methylmercaptophos, dichlorvos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, etc.) also used in preparations against ticks. But they possess  very high toxicity (I-II hazard class for humans), are easily absorbed through mucous membranes, damaged and intact skin, irritate the skin. Because of this, as well as because of the low reliability at the dosage at the moment, European countries and the USA refuse FOS, replacing them with safer means. Carbamates (proposcucre). They are less toxic than FOS (II-III hazard class for humans). Although carbamates have the same mechanism of action as FOS, they are excreted from the body and the risk of poisoning is lower. In addition, they are quite safe in terms of carcinogenicity. Amidines: amitraz. These substances, like carbamates, have a contact neurotoxic effect, but ticks do not develop resistance to them. They should not be used on young dogs or small animals. When using substances of this type, the likelihood of allergic reactions is high. Toxicity is lower than that of FOS and carbamates. Amitraz is not considered a human carcinogen.