Flea Medicine for Dogs

If you are looking for an effective flea medicine for dogs; here is some helpful information that can assist you in making your selection:

Fleas

If your dog spends time outdoors it will be vulnerable to flea infestation. Mild cases of fleas usually cause itching and skin irritation, but flea bites can also transmit other dangerous parasites such as tapeworm. Some dogs have allergic reactions to flea infestation and more severe cases can result in anemia or even death due to blood loss. These dangers make preventing and treating flea bites important for any dog owner.

Types of Medication

Flea and tick prevention medicines are available in many forms including sprays, wipes, powders, shampoos, foams and dips, but the vast majority of pet owners choose to protect their pets with monthly ‘spot-on topicals', or with oral tablets. These products enjoy such popularity because treatment is so convenient; one application of liquid drops or ointment to a specific spot on the skin, or one dose of one or two tablets, and fleas are gone for a month.

Products

One important thing to look for in a topical medicine is water-proof protection, because you want the medication to stay on your dog's skin for the full month. Both K-9 Advantix and Frontline (Also Frontline Plus) are products with this feature. Both of these products are also effective against ticks. K9 Advantix also repels Mosquitoes which are potential carriers of Lyme disease and Heartworm.

Program is an oral pill rather than a topical solution. It is designed to prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing so it is often used with an ‘adulticide' like Frontline, which eliminates adult fleas. Program, by itself, will not kill adult fleas.

Capstar is a fast acting oral flea product. It starts killing adult fleas on your dog in 30 minutes. This tablet is not a monthly medication; one dose lasts for only 24 hours. Capstar is especially designed for situations where pets are most likely to be exposed to fleas, such as in dog parks or at shows. Capstar may also be used prior to surgery, boarding, or grooming.

Fleas prefer temperatures of 65-80 degrees and humidity levels of 75-85 percent, so in many places fleas are just a ‘summer problem' but the time to start your flea prevention activities will always depend on where you live. In the north and Midwest, you should start your prevention measures in early March and stop after the first hard frost. In warmer climates you should use flea prevention year round. Talk to your veterinarian if you're not sure about using flea prevention all though the year.

Cautions

You can use flea and tick collars, shampoos, and sprays with oral or topical solutions to keep your dog, your home, and your yard free of fleas and ticks. You can also use other products, like lawn sprays to eliminate fleas outdoors where they live, but before using more than one flea and tick product on your dog, talk to your veterinarian about any compatibility issues that might arise.

Never give a flea medication made for cats to your dog and never mix cat and dog medications. The differences in strength and chemical make-up in these products can be significant. Never give flea medications made for adult dogs to puppies or pregnant dogs, potentially dangerous side effects can result.

 

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