Stronghold for dogs: instructions for use, dosages - Review + Video

No pet is protected from parasites. To be able to cure your cat, you need to be able to recognize pathologies in the early stages. Stronghold is considered an effective drug against lice and fleas. Next we will tell you in detail how to use it. The drug fights ear mites and parasites and, of course, helps get rid of insects that have penetrated the skin, and also promotes recovery from dirofilariasis. Stronghold for cats is known for its ideal results. After use, you need to wait about an hour and a half, and the effect will be noticeable.

One of the most advantageous advantages is that the parasites will not be able to lay eggs and continue the life of similar pests.

For treating cats 2.6-7.5 kg

How to apply the drug instructions

Before purchasing the drug, you should consult your doctor, as only he will be able to prescribe the required form of the medication. On the box, manufacturers usually write the exact content of selamectin (the active ingredient) - 6 or 12%. If your pet weighs up to 2 kilograms, then you should purchase a stronghold with a purple cap. A tube with a blue cap is prescribed to cats weighing from 2.5 to 7.5 kilograms, since the concentration of the active substance is higher. If the pet’s weight exceeds 7.5 kg, then tubes should be combined.

Procedure:

1. Wear rubber gloves, as droplets may be harmful to the skin of your hands.
2. Remove the tube of stronghold from the packaging and unscrew the cap.
3. Use the back of the cap to pierce the foil protective membrane.
4. Spread the fur between the cat's shoulder blades; there should be no allergic reactions or open wounds on the skin. The medicine should be applied only in the area of ​​the withers, because in this place the cat will not be able to lick the fur. You need to scatter the drops at a distance of 2-3 centimeters from each other.
5. Massage the fur of the fluffy a little, in this case the product will be well distributed over the skin.
6. After the procedure, throw the gloves in the trash along with the used tube.

Rules of application

• on dry skin, affected areas exclusively in the interscapular area;
• Often the drug is applied once and does not require repeated use;
• before administering the medicine, the pipette must be removed from the blister and be in a vertical position;
• then, once the cap is removed, you can proceed to insertion.

How to use stronghold video instruction

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Pharmacological properties

The drug was specially developed for the treatment of furry purrs from helminths and fleas. Due to the presence of selamectin, active interaction with chlorine channel receptors occurs. Against this background, the normal transmission of impulses in the neuromuscular junctions of the parasites stops. Disruption of the electrical activity of nerve cells provokes the development of paralysis and death of insects.

The drug cannot harm the cat. The active components are quickly distributed through the bloodstream. Stronghold is able to be quickly absorbed from the area of ​​application. 24 hours after treatment of the animal, the maximum level of concentration of active elements in the blood is reached.

The effectiveness of the medication does not decrease even if the cat is bathed a couple of hours after applying the drops to the withers.

Selamectin contained in the composition begins to accumulate in the sebaceous gland and is secreted for a long period of time. This allows for a long period of influence on:

• fleas;
• ear mites;
• scabies mites.

Thanks to the convenient dosage form of the drug (spot-on), you can easily apply drops to the skin of your furry pet along the spine from the back of the head to the place where the tail begins.

The manufacturer recommends applying the anti-parasite product evenly to the skin along the spine, which will make it possible to achieve maximum effect.

Selamectin, which is contained in the composition, can cope not only with adult parasites, but also with their eggs.

What is Stronghold for cats prescribed for?

1. Entomosis is a familiar flea to all of us; it is a fairly common parasite. Lice can be seen with the naked eye; the pet constantly gnaws and itches.
2. Dirofilariasis is a virus that can be transmitted by mosquitoes. After their bite, the cat develops larvae in the lungs. Signs of this disease include lack of sleep and weight loss.
3. Otodectosis is a disease associated with tick bites; the insect sneaks into the eardrums and drinks blood. The course of this disease is characterized by high fever and discharge from the ear cavity.
4. Sarcoptic mange is a mite that attacks the body from the inside. The symptoms are the same as with regular mites, the only difference is that the skin becomes dry.
5. Hookworms are the most common worms.
6. Toxocariasis, this disease is also associated with worms, but the situation is slightly worse than in the previous case. These worms affect not only the intestines, but also the liver.

In order to avoid such situations, it is recommended to regularly carry out prevention against parasites.

Advantages

The drug Stronghold for dogs has several advantages, which can be considered below:

• High level of efficiency. The use of the substance on infected dogs allows you to get rid of parasites in one treatment. In case of severe infections, a repeat procedure is possible; it is carried out no earlier than a month later.
• Safety. The drug is safe for humans and animals. The thing is that the active component affects the insect at the cellular level, and since people and animals have a completely different structure, it does not pose a danger. The only thing to avoid is getting the medicine into your mouth. This can cause negative consequences in the form of diarrhea.
• Versatility. One medicine can rid and protect your dog from many external and internal parasites.
• Prolonged action. This way you can protect your dog from harmful insects for a month.
• Without smell. It’s also a big advantage because you don’t have to worry about your dog rubbing against clothes or furniture and leaving an unpleasant odor trail.
• Easy to use. The medicine is packaged in pipettes, which are easy and convenient to use. There is no need to prepare any solutions, force them to swallow pills, which they don’t like so much, or give vaccinations, which are very scary for dogs.

Regarding the disadvantages, it is certainly worth noting that the medicine is ineffective against the ixodid tick. Another disadvantage is the cost, which cannot be called low, but the effectiveness and reliability of the drug absolutely justify it.

Dosage by pet's weight

Stronghold is available in different packages, respectively, and their dosage is different, since the drug is suitable not only for cats, but also for dogs. In other words, depending on the weight category, each pet has its own dosage. Each dose has its own color for the convenience of the owner:

• from 2.5 15/20 mg, pink color;
• from 7.5 45/50 mg, color blue;
• from 8 or more combination of pipettes, has no color.

You should not rely on experience with other similar medications. Before applying the medicine, make sure your cat is of a certain weight category.

Dosage table

Indications for use

The instructions for “Stronghold” for dogs indicate the following diseases for which the use of the drug is effective:

• Ear scabies. For this disease, effectiveness is achieved with a single use of the drug - after 30 days, no living pathogens are detected.

• Sarcoptic mange is scabies caused by mites. In this case, double treatment of the affected animal is required with an interval of 30 days. The effectiveness of this treatment reaches 99%.
• Heartworm disease is a disease caused by heartworm nematodes and transmitted by mosquitoes. The drug completely destroys adults, larvae and eggs. At the same time, it is completely safe for humans and animals.
• Toxocariasis - infection by Toxocara. The disease is dangerous not only for the animal but also for people who come into contact with it, since the likelihood of infection is high.
• Hookworm infection is infection by roundworms called hookworms.
• Entomosis is a group of diseases caused by insects.

The absence of essential oils in the composition of the drug, as in most similar drugs, allows it to be quickly absorbed into the skin and dry, increasing effectiveness.

How should it be stored?

There are no instructions in the middle of the drug itself, so all important information can be found on the packaging. How to store this medicine:

• storage in a dark, non-humid place;
• without removing from the box;
• a very important point is to store away from food;
• temperature regime - from 3 to 30 degrees;
• out of the reach of children.

Shelf life is about 3 years.

Stronghold

Precautionary measures

When using Stronghold drops on the withers for cats, safety precautions are required.

1. Smoking, eating and drinking water during treatment are strictly prohibited.
2. If the insecticidal solution gets on the mucous membranes or skin, it must be washed off with plenty of water.
3. Hand washing at the end of the process is mandatory.
4. It is necessary to limit the contact of the treated pet with children within two hours from the moment of applying the insecticidal solution.
5. The use of used bottles for domestic purposes is contraindicated. Empty containers can only be disposed of.

Stronghold anti-flea drops will not lose their properties if storage rules are followed. The drug should be kept in a place protected from light, at temperatures up to 30 °C. Do not store the product near food or animal feed. The drops are valid for 3 years from the date of release.

When is it prohibited to use?

It is strictly prohibited to use the following animals:

• with allergies to similar drugs;
• less than 2 months old;
• who have just suffered from any illness;
• in the process of recovery;
• after bath procedures.

It is important to remember that dripping into the ear canals is prohibited; it must be administered by injection.

Itchy cat

Security measures

Despite the fact that the substance is not dangerous for people and pets, some safety precautions must be observed:

• After use, be sure to wash your hands with soap.
• When the medicine is applied to the body, do not let your pets lick or scratch themselves for an hour.
• Also, do not let animals play with children for an hour.

If the substance was used to treat furniture or other things, it must be completely dry. Make sure that the stronghold does not get into the oral cavity.

It is advisable to purchase the medicine immediately before use, since storage conditions are very important. It should not be stored in the light, and in order to be exposed to sunlight, the temperature should not be higher than +3°. Avoid contact with food and animal feed.

What can be replaced? Stronghold analogs

If you have difficulties purchasing Stronghold, you can always replace it with analogues and not worry about the health of your sick cat. Such medications are Bars Spot or In-Up. In-Up is a transparent substance that is applied externally to dry skin and helps remove fleas and ticks. Leopard Spot has the ability to eliminate parasites from the inside. Also analogues are: Dironet, Frontline Spot-on, Inspector Total, Advantage.

Table comparing the cost of Stronghold with analogues

Preventing flea infestation

Doctors like to repeat that disease is easier to prevent than to treat. This statement is also true for flea infestations. It is much better to prevent fleas from appearing on your cat at all than to remove them over the course of several months.

There are folk methods of repelling fleas - various herbs and essential oils, but in practice only modern insecticides can prevent infection. They use drugs that kill fleas after they attack an animal. Sufficiently effective repellents for cats - insect repellent drugs - do not yet exist.

Regular treatment of pets is necessary throughout the warm season. This time interval is different for different regions. Year-round prevention is required for free-ranging cats, since they come into contact with stray relatives and can wander into a warm basement infested with fleas.

Thorough washing of shoes immediately upon returning home, regular cleaning of the hallway and periodic washing of beds will help reduce the risk of infection for apartment cats. Or preventive treatment of the animal with modern drugs against external parasites.

Reviews from breeders

Very effective, helps the first time. We got rid of fleas, and he came to the rescue with a problem with worms, I recommend him to everyone.

About 3 months ago we noticed a cat on the street who began to often walk near the supermarket. My family and I talked and decided that we would still take him home. He was wearing a collar, so it became clear that some heartless people had thrown him into the street. During all this time, the cat (we named him Vasya) managed to pick up many parasites. Therefore, it was decided to treat Vasya without delay. The pharmacy recommended the drug Stronghold. Although the product is expensive, we bought it for 430 rubles, but the fluffy had to be treated. A month later, the fur was completely restored, and our mustache began to gain weight. The fleas noticeably died out already on the 10th day after using the product, and Vasya stopped scratching his ear. I can recommend the medicine because we used it and no side effects were found.

Our cat Jim was prescribed Stronghold drops at the veterinary clinic because he was diagnosed with ear mites. The tube has a cap that closes tightly, so the product can be used repeatedly. The pet's face was badly damaged by ear mites, and even the hair in the eye area came off. We used the drug for 3 weeks, and were still able to cure Jim. The cat's salivation increased slightly for the first 3-4 days, but the doctor said that this was normal. I bought Stronghold drops for 290 rubles.

Our cat Michael has not had fleas or other parasites for a whole year, although all this was possible, because he often walks outside with us. And 3 months ago he finally caught fleas from Vasya (our neighbors’ cat). After 3 days, I finally decided to go to the clinic, since it was clear that the fleas would not escape anywhere on their own. The specialist prescribed Stronghold 6% drops for Michael, and that same day in the evening I decided to instill them. If you use this product, be sure to wash and dry your cat. In this case, the product will be much more effective. To my great surprise, after applying the product, Michael did not even lick himself. The design of the tube is well thought out, since not a single extra drop leaked out. The cat should not be washed for 2-3 days, as you will wash off the medicine and not get the result.

Contraindications and possible side effects

Stronghold refers to veterinary drugs that have a fairly meager list of contraindications. So, drops cannot be used:

• in relation to cats that are hypersensitive to the active or auxiliary composition of the drug;
• kittens under six weeks of age;
• pets suffering from infectious diseases or in the recovery stage.

Stronghold is not contraindicated for use by pregnant and lactating cats.

According to the official instructions, if all rules for using this veterinary drug are followed, no adverse reactions are observed.