Stronghold for cats: effectively ridding your pet of parasites

Contraindications

The drug is safe for pets, but this does not mean that it has no contraindications. It is worth listing the main cases when applying drops is not recommended. Do not use the following composition:

• orally or by injection;
• if your pet is hypersensitive to substances contained in the medication;
• for cats with damp skin and kittens less than 6 weeks old;

A clear, colorless or pale yellow solution for external use containing 6% or 12% selamectin.

Properties

• Proven 99% effectiveness within 30 days
• The drug destroys adult fleas and has larvicidal and ovicidal effects.
• Effective in the treatment of sarcoptic mange and otodectosis
• Effective for the prevention of dirofilariasis
• Active against nematodes
• Safe for animals and humans

Dosage and method of administration

Stronghold is prescribed to dogs and cats to kill fleas and prevent re-infestation in animals, for the treatment and prevention of otodectosis, sarcoptic mange, hookworm and toxocariasis, as well as for the prevention of dirofilariasis.

The drug is applied to dry skin between the shoulder blades at the base of the neck. To kill fleas (Stenocefalides spp) on the body of dogs and cats, Stronghold is used once, and to prevent re-infestation - once a month throughout the entire season of insect activity. Possessing an insecticidal, ovicidal, larvocidal effect and interrupting the development cycle of insects, Stronghold ensures a sharp reduction in the number of fleas in the animal’s habitat within a month after the first application.

For allergic dermatitis caused by fleas, Stronghold is prescribed in the same doses.

To prevent dirofilariasis in regions where Dirofilaria immitis is registered, Stronghold is administered to animals monthly, starting a month before the start of summer for the carriers of the pathogen - mosquitoes and mosquitoes, and ends no earlier than a month after the end of their summer. Stronghold does not kill mature D. immitis, but does reduce the number of circulating microfilariae, and can be safely administered even to infected animals. If the monthly interval between the use of Stronghold has been exceeded, it is necessary to apply the drug as soon as such an opportunity arises. When replacing chemotherapeutic agents in the dirofilariasis prevention program, the interval between the administration of Stronghold and the previously used drug should be at least one month.

To treat dogs and cats with otodectosis (ear scabies) caused by O. synotis, Stronghold is used once. During the treatment process, it is recommended to clean the ear canal from exudate and scabs, and in cases of complications of otodectosis with otitis media, prescribe antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs.

If necessary, the course of treatment is repeated after 1 month. To treat dogs with sarcoptic mange caused by S. scabiei, Stronghold is used twice with an interval of 1 month. In order to prevent possible invasion, it is recommended to use the drug once a month. For deworming of dogs and cats with toxocariasis caused by Toxocara сati, Toxocara сanis, and with hookworm infection caused by Anсylostoma tubaeformae, the drug is used for therapeutic purposes once, for preventive purposes - monthly.

Analogues of drops

Stronghold has no complete structural analogues. But the veterinary drug market offers a whole line of domestic and foreign products that help in the fight against parasites that live in the body of our pets and on their skin.

Functional analogues of the drug:

• Leopard;
• Inspector Total K;
• Advantage;
• Frontline Spot On.

All of the above veterinary preparations have a different composition from Stronghold and are not interchangeable. Before you begin treatment for your pet, you should consult your veterinarian.

Table: Stronghold analogues

Photo gallery: analogues of veterinary medicine

Bars is not recommended for use by pregnant and lactating cats Frontline Spot It should not be used on kittens under eight weeks of age Inspector Total K should not be used on kittens under seven weeks of age Adventage should be used with caution when treating pregnant and lactating cats

Video: using anti-flea drops on cats

Stronghold for dogs instructions for use

The method of application for a dog is similar to the case with a cat. The weight of the animal should also be taken into account:

In general, when using drops for a dog or cat, the correct proportion is 0.1 ml of the drug per kilogram of the animal’s body weight. If the treatment regimen is violated, the effectiveness of the medicine decreases.

It is prohibited to perform massage procedures at the site where the substance is applied.

s. Small children should not be allowed near the treated animal for two hours. Also, you should not bathe your cat or dog at this time. When using Stronghold, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene and general recommendations when working with drugs for animals. Empty pipettes must not be used for household purposes: they should be collected in a plastic bag and disposed of with non-food waste.

When treated with Stronghold, the instructions below will help you effectively get rid of a number of diseases:

Prevention of dirofilariasis

The disease is caused by Otodectos cynotis, a species of oribatid mites. Single use recommended

"Stronghold." The ear canal should be cleaned of scabs and exudate. In case of complications in the form of otitis, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

Deworming

To rid an animal of helminths (worms), the drug is used once. Prophylactic use

no more than once a month is acceptable.

Answers on questions

Write questions in the comments, the section is constantly updated with information.

How long does the drug last?

The effect of Stronghold lasts for a month.

What analogues are there?

Analogs are better than Stronghold*:

Required reading:

Review of 30 drugs for ear mites

Review of 17 deciduous for dogs

Analogues are worse*:

* subjective opinion based on personal work experience.

When can I wash it?

Stronghold acts through the systemic circulation and is not distributed throughout the lipid layer of the skin. Approximately 30 minutes after application, the drug is completely absorbed into the blood, so you can safely wash your dog or cat without losing the effect of the product after two hours.

How to drip correctly

The medicine "Stronghold" for cats, instructions for use of which are necessarily included in the package, is used only externally. Before applying the product, remove the pipette from the blister and then, holding it vertically, press on the cap in order to make a hole in the foil covering the pipette. Then the lid is removed. The medication is applied to the dry skin of the animal without any prior preparation. To do this, the fur on the withers is pulled apart and the contents of the pipette are completely squeezed out. In this case, you need to carefully carry out the manipulation so that the drug does not get on your hands. There is no need to massage the area where the product is applied. Stronghold drops for cats, the instructions for use of which are quite clear, are prescribed taking into account the weight of the animal. So, this medicine for furry pets weighing up to 2.5 kg is taken at a dose of 45 mg. The medicine is not used for babies under 1.5 months. And for adult cats weighing from 2.6 to 7.5 kg, the dosage is 15 mg.

What is the drug for?

Stronghold drops for cats with Selamectin are used to prevent and treat the following diseases:

• Entomosis
  is a disease caused by fleas, lice and lice. If an animal continually scratches and chews itself, refuses food, sleeps restlessly, then the problem may lie precisely in entomosis. Although even without these symptoms, the presence of bloodsuckers can be seen with the naked eye. If the disease is not treated, cats may develop anemia, allergies, and exhaustion. Parasites are carriers of a number of infectious diseases (for example, distemper, rabies, brucellosis, and many others);
• Dirofilariasis
  is a disease caused by the nematode Dirofilariasis. The eggs and larvae of the parasites enter the lungs, heart and veins of the cat after a mosquito bite. Symptoms of dirofilariasis are shortness of breath, disheveled and falling out hair, bluish mucous membranes, lethargy. Very often, when a cat gets sick, it is diagnosed with myocardial dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Unfortunately, if treatment is untimely, the cat dies from intoxication with waste products of worms;
• Otodectes
  is a disease caused by the bite of the ear mite Otodectes cynotis. The parasite lives not only in the cat’s ear, but also in the ear canal and reaches the eardrum. Signs of the disease are fever, severe itching, purulent discharge from the ear. If timely treatment is not received, the tick penetrates the brain, which leads to the death of the pet;
• Sarcoptosis
  is an infection of the cat's body by the subcutaneous Sarcoptes mite. Symptoms of the disease are dry, inflamed skin with hard crusts, itching, scratching up to deep wounds, alopecia, refusal to eat. Often, against the background of sarcoptic mange, a cat develops sepsis;
• Hookworm infection
  is a helminthic infestation caused by the worms Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Ancylostoma braziliense, which parasitize the intestines of cats. Symptoms of hookworm infection include weight loss, inflamed skin, and unkempt coat. In young individuals, the disease can cause anemia;
• Toxocariasis
  is the presence of worms of the genus Toxocara cati in the intestines, gastrointestinal tract, liver and even the heart of a cat. Symptoms of toxocariasis are cough, increased or absent appetite, perversion of taste preferences, intestinal disorders, dull, brittle coat. If there are too many worms, the animal may have a very bloated abdomen.

Stronghold for dogs and cats, what is the difference?

There is no particular difference in the drugs. They have one active ingredient, but there is no information about the auxiliary components. Perhaps that is the difference between them. However, Stronghold is available directly for cats with a 0.75 ml solution. The instructions for this type of drug are absolutely identical to those for dogs.

Another type of medicine is called “For puppies and kittens.” The whole difference is in the weight of the animals. If you do not have a product for cats, you can use Stronghold for dogs. The only thing you need to do is to correctly calculate the dose, according to the weight of the cat. If you cannot do this yourself, it is better to consult a veterinarian.

Release form, composition

Stronghold is produced in the form of drops and is a clear, colorless and odorless solution. The substance is distributed into polymer pipettes (three pieces in a container). Sold in a box with a picture of a dog.

There is a color code on the edge of the package that matches the pipette caps. Each color indicates a specific dosage and volume of solution.

The active component of Stronghold is selamectin. Shows insecticidal, acaricidal, nematocidal properties. It destroys not only adult individuals, but also fights worm larvae and eggs. There are two concentrations of the active substance: 6 and 12%. Which one is suitable depends on the weight of the pet.

Additional ingredients include isopropyl alcohol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, and butyl hydroxytoluene.

The drug Stronghold is considered moderately dangerous and belongs to the third class. To prevent poisoning, it is important to follow the correct dosage and precautions.

The product is sold in a veterinary pharmacy and is available without a prescription. The shelf life of the medicine is 3 years, at room temperature (up to 30 degrees).

Indications for use

Rules for using Stronghold drops:

• Drops are applied to the dog's dry skin using a pipette.
• The place where the drops are applied should not be accessible for licking; the base of the animal's neck (between the shoulder blades) is best suited.
• Before applying the product, the fur is blown out, the long fur is pulled apart with your hands and the contents of the pipette are squeezed onto the skin.
• The drops are not rubbed in or the skin is not massaged.
• The drug is used once.
• To apply droplets, personal protective equipment is used: rubber gloves and a mask.
  If the product gets on your hands or mucous membranes, immediately rinse your eyes with plenty of running water, rinse your mouth, and wash your hands with detergent.

Ticks.

"Stronghold" cannot be dripped into the ears of animals; it is applied to the skin at the base of the neck.
When treating otodectosis, doctors recommend constantly cleaning the ear canals and, if necessary, simultaneously carrying out antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy
. Both scabies and ear mites completely disappear within a month after treatment.

Mechanism of action

Stronghold is an effective drug that has been tested on different breeds of cats. The experiments showed good results. The product is a low-toxic compound suitable for warm-blooded animals. Active against ticks and nematodes.

The active component of the drug, selamectin, is absorbed quite quickly, has a cumulative effect and remains inside the animal for a long time. This makes it possible to eliminate parasites, providing the cat with protection from reinfestation for a month.

Selamectin does not cross the blood-brain barrier, which indicates the safety of the drug when the dose is maintained.

Stronghold, penetrating the animal’s body, binds to the receptors of the cells of the muscle and nervous tissue of the parasites, increasing the permeability of the shell for chlorine ions. Thanks to its unique composition, the drug completely destroys the larvae of round helminths, but is ineffective against adult nematodes Dirofilaria immitis.

The antiparasitic agent does not reduce the number of microfilariae circulating in the blood, and therefore is not allowed to be used on infested animals.

The medicine does not kill adults immediately; application of the drug to parasites causes paralysis. Larvae, fleas, and worms die instantly. Microparticles of cat skin and fur present in the air and on surfaces have a detrimental effect on helminth larvae and other parasites living in the environment where the pet lives.

Individuals that remain inside the animal after death become a source of toxic substances. Due to its systemic action, the drug penetrates the body and actively cleanses the cat’s intestines. Together with the feces, both dead and paralyzed parasites come out, preventing the development of intoxication in the pet as a result of the mass destruction of worms and other parasites.

Instructions for use

Stronghold is used exclusively externally. Immediately before application, the pipette with the drug is removed from the blister, after which, by pressing, the foil covering the pipette is broken through and the cap is removed.

The drug is applied to the dry skin of the animal in the area at the base of the neck and between the shoulder blades. Stronghold is prescribed once, and the dose is selected taking into account the weight of the animal, but strictly at the rate of 6 mg of the active component per kilogram.

Standard doses of the drug:

• puppies and dogs weighing less than 2.5 kg – one 0.25 ml pipette with a purple cap;
• for animals with a body weight between 2.6-5.0 kg - one 0.25 ml pipette with a purple cap;
• for animals with a body weight in the range of 5.1-10.0 kg - one 0.5 ml pipette with a brown cap;
• for animals with a body weight in the range of 10.1-20.0 kg - one 1.0 ml pipette with a red cap;
• animals with a body weight in the range of 20.1-40.0 kg - one 2.0 ml pipette with a dark green cap.

For the prevention and treatment of dogs weighing more than twenty kilograms, a combination of pipettes is used. In order to destroy fleas, as well as to prevent re-infestations, Stronghold is applied once a month throughout the entire flea season. Monthly use of the drug helps directly protect the animal from infection and destroys residual flea populations in the home.

To treat ear scabies (otodectosis), stronghold is used once with regular cleaning of the ear canal from the accumulation of exudates and scabs. If necessary, the treatment course is repeated after a month. Therapy for sarcoptic mange requires twice the use of the drug at monthly intervals.

In order to prevent possible invasion, a modern and effective veterinary remedy is used once a month. Prevention of dirofilariasis involves using the solution once a month throughout the entire active flight season of mosquito vectors.

special instructions

Cat owners should read special instructions. They will help to avoid unwanted consequences and achieve maximum results from applying the medication:

1. After applying the drops, do not allow the animal to be near a fire or operating stove. The wool must be completely dry.
2. When treating leather, do not smoke, drink alcohol, or eat food - the substance is poisonous.
3. After applying the drops, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
4. Within 2 hours after using the medicine, the animal should not come into contact with small children. Prohibit children from petting, washing or kissing the cat.
5. If the product comes into contact with human skin, rinse the affected area thoroughly with clean water.
6. After using the product, empty pipettes should not be used in everyday life. Containers should be thrown away.

Side effects

Exceeding the permissible dose specified in the instructions threatens the dog with a number of unpleasant consequences.

Symptoms do not appear immediately; most often this occurs a couple of days after treatment. The animal has the following signs:

• lack of coordination;
• poor spatial orientation;
• hair loss at the site of Stronghold application;
• lethargy, apathy.

A deterioration in the dog’s well-being that occurs immediately after applying the drug indicates an allergic reaction.

Acute symptoms develop in a short time:

• convulsions occur;
• pupils dilate;
• the area treated with the product turns red;
• foam may be released from the mouth;
• intestinal disorders, vomiting, diarrhea.

These signs cause anxiety in the animal; the dog constantly whines and cannot find a place. To alleviate the pet’s condition, it is urgent to rinse the withers (where the medicine was applied) with clean water.

If the dog accidentally swallows the drug, it is necessary to perform a gastric lavage and visit a veterinarian.