With the onset of warmer seasons, dogs begin to more actively explore bushes and trees. But, unfortunately, there may be danger in the form of ticks and other parasites. If detected untimely and treated late, a tick bite can even lead to the death of a beloved pet. Therefore, protection against these types of insects should come first.
Veterinary products offer many ways to get rid of attacks by blood-sucking parasites - sprays, collars, special shampoos, drops and tablets. The latter are considered the most effective in pest control. Let's look at the most popular anti-tick medications in the form of tablets, which are in high demand among users in 2022.
Content
- Risk factors
- Purpose
- General information
- Operating principle
- TOP 5 best anti-tick tablets for dogs
- 1) Anti-tick tablets “Bravecto”/ “Bravecto”
- 2) Anti-tick tablets “Inspector Quadro Tabs”
- 3) Tablets against ticks "Simparika" / "Simparica"
- 4) Tablets against ticks “Frontline NexGard” / “Frontline NexGard”
- 5) Anti-tick tablets "Nexgard Spectra" / "NexGard Spectra"
- Features of using anti-tick tablets for dogs
- As a conclusion
Anti-tick tablets for dogs are a popular means of protection. Every year the number of their consumption in the world only increases, as dog breeders strive to protect their pets as much as possible from the serious risk of infectious, including viral, infections. Although there are still ongoing debates about the safety of their use. The main advantage of using anti-tick tablets is long-term and permanent protection.
In this material we will consider the most popular anti-tick tablets for dogs in practice. We will conduct a comparative analysis (manufacturer, purpose, active substance, side effects, protection periods, etc.). The final decision on taking the drug should be made after consultation with a veterinarian.
Means and methods of protection
There are several methods for preventing tick attacks practiced by owners. The simplest measures include:
- Wearing special clothing is a mechanical way to prevent ticks from attacking your dog. If the dog is accustomed to wearing clothes, then a jumpsuit with ties around the paws can protect it from the penetration of only some individuals of Ixodid ticks. After all, ticks can stick to the area of the pads, and between the toes, on the head, on the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals. And small individuals can easily penetrate under clothing. Therefore, this method can only be used as an additional method in combination with drugs. It is better to choose light-colored clothing - ticks are better visible. There are models equipped with special traps from which ticks cannot escape.
- Inspection and combing. Once on the coat, parasites can wander throughout the dog’s body until they reach their favorite places (eyelids, neck, ears, withers). You need to examine your pet immediately after each walk.
- The use of strong-smelling essential oils of clove, mint, wormwood, geranium, vanillin solution. Their smells should repel blood-sucking insects. But in practice this does not work well, since solutions sprayed onto wool will only act until the esters have evaporated, and this often happens before you get to the place of your walk.
Such simple folk measures do not provide any guarantees and are most likely ineffective.
A more reliable way to protect your pet is to use special medications that protect against external parasites. Let's consider: what is the best way to treat a dog against ticks. It must be remembered that these products should not only be destructive to parasites, but also not harmful to the dog’s body. Therefore, it is important to choose a means of protection responsibly and adhere to the following recommendations:
- Carefully study the instructions for the selected drug;
- Take into account the physiological state, age, clinical condition, individual characteristics of the dog;
- If it is difficult to understand all the nuances, seek advice from a veterinarian.
Remedies for external parasites can be divided into two large groups:
- internal or systemic drugs
- external or contact-acting drugs
Risk factors
With the onset of spring, blood-sucking insects become more active. Among the most dangerous are ticks, the bite of which leads to serious health consequences and sometimes death. The high activity of ticks in the warm season is explained by the peculiarities of their life cycle and reproduction.
| READ MORE: “Habitats, external signs, features of development and behavior of the tick” “How the infection process occurs” |
The following types of ticks are common in dogs:
- Ixodes tick (ticks of the genus Ixodes carry many infectious diseases, including Babesiosis);
- Scabies mite (mites of the genus Sarcoptes scabiei form “burrows” in the skin of pets, most often inhabiting less hairy parts of the body)
- Subcutaneous mite (Demodex mites grow excessively inside the hair follicle, leading to baldness and purulent skin lesions);
- Ear mites (mites of the genus Otodectes cynotis are the cause of otitis externa).
Types of ticks dangerous to dogs - risk factors and symptoms
Parasites live outside and inside dogs and usually go unnoticed by owners. There are many types of ticks, fleas and worms that are dangerous to dogs. These parasites have one thing in common - sooner or later their presence can lead to health problems or discomfort. In addition to dogs, many parasites can also harm their owners, especially children.
How to choose the right drops for your pet
It is very difficult to make a choice among such a wide range, but we will try to help you.
First, you need to decide whether you need the anthelmintic property of the drops. If you dewormed your dog a month ago, then you don’t need it and you can buy drops without this “function”.
It is very important that the drug can protect not only from ixodid, but also from scabies and ear mites, as well as the causative agent of demodicosis.
Cost and country of manufacturer. Foreign production and high price are not an indicator of quality and efficiency. There are domestic drops at affordable prices that are perfectly capable of protecting your pet.
And of course, in order to choose the right dosage, before purchasing the drug, you must find out the exact weight of your pet.
If you do not have the opportunity to treat your dog monthly, then you should choose drops with a long-term effect.
Purpose
Anti-tick tablets for dogs are used for both prevention and treatment:
- acarosis caused by ixodid, sarcoptoid, psoroptoid and demodectic mites (more than 20 varieties);
- entomosis caused by fleas;
- from intestinal parasites (helminths, nematodes, microfilariae, etc.).
Prescription of anti-tick tablets for dogs
Means of rescue
What is best to purchase to protect dogs from tick bites, what products, sprays and tablets are most effective is a logical question that all sane owners ask.
Experts divide anti-tick remedies into three groups:
- Repellents that have a repellent effect (preparations based on herbal essential oils: Green Fort);
- Insectoacaricides that cause the death of blood-sucking parasites (Fiprist);
- Insecticidal and repellent products (preparations with two or more active ingredients: Inspector, Rolf Club 3D)
In modern veterinary pharmacies you can find drugs in the following forms:
- collars (Rolf Club 3D, Inspector),
- drops on the withers (Insectal, BlochNet),
- sprays (Fiprist, Frontline, Inspector, Rolf Club 3D),
- means of protection against ticks in tablets (Bravecto).
General information
The tablets are classified as insecticides; they differ fundamentally from each other in composition and the active substance used (fluralaner, afoxolaner, spinosad, milbemycin, sarolaner, etc.)
Each active substance has its own purpose. According to the direction of action, the active substances work to destroy internal parasites living in the gastrointestinal tract and/or to destroy external parasites living on the skin (fleas, ticks, etc.)
Manufacturers produce these drugs based on the weight and age of the pet. Based on this, the appropriate dosage and frequency of use are selected.
The territory where the pet lives is also taken into account; the number of ticks in each specific region or locality may differ significantly, etc.
As recommendations
- The animal should not be petted for 24 hours and should not be allowed near small children.
- Do not wash or bathe the animal for 3 days before and after treatment, and do not apply the drug to wet or damaged skin.
- In order to prevent re-infestation with fleas, the animals' bedding is replaced or the floors of the premises are treated with any insecticidal agent.
- Repeated treatments are carried out according to indications, but not more than once every 3-4 weeks.
- It is advisable to treat all animals living together.
- Clearly calculate the dosage based not only on the weight of the animal, but also on the age and state of health.
- If you have any doubts regarding use, you should consult a veterinarian. doctor.
- Pay special attention to treatments in the warm season.
When choosing protection for your pet, you must take into account that ticks, typical for Russia, are often resistant to antiparasitic drugs developed and produced in Europe. In addition, European drugs are developed with an eye on the composition of parasites living in Europe, without taking into account the characteristics of the Russian parasitic flora. Owners of pets living in Russia are recommended to use modern domestically produced parasite remedies for their pets - for example, products from the Dana Ultra line: anti-parasitic collars, drops on the withers and sprays for treating fur from the leading Russian manufacturer Apicenna.
Video about the mechanism of action of drops against pests using the example of the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin from the company Bauer, Germany (not an advertisement)
Operating principle
The tablets enter the gastrointestinal tract along with food intake. Through the mucous membranes of the stomach walls, the active substance enters the bloodstream after 2-3 hours and begins to function. The insect, sucking blood, receives a dose of nerve poison. As a result, the parasite's connections in the transmission of nerve impulses are disrupted, causing paralysis, leading to death.
That is, the death of a tick occurs when a dog is bitten by a parasite; the insect does not have time to attach itself, which completely eliminates intoxication and the risk of infection.
The medicine is excreted naturally (with feces, urine, bile). The half-life is usually about 2 weeks.
How to treat a dog after a tick bite
What to do if you did not treat your dog for parasites in time and found a tick attached to it?
- Remove the parasite: put on gloves, then hold the body with tweezers at the very surface of the skin or use a special twister to twist the tick out of the wound with a rotational motion.
- Treat the bite site. How to treat a dog's wound after a tick? – any antiseptic (70% alcohol, brilliant green, alcohol solution of iodine) that is in your first aid kit.
- Contact a veterinary clinic. If you were able to remove the tick, submit it for analysis. The doctor will check the dog's blood for infection with piroplasmosis and babesiosis. These are express tests with quick results. If a positive result is obtained, the pet will be prescribed therapy.
- Monitor the dog even after receiving a negative result for 2-3 weeks. Fever, lethargy, and refusal to feed should alert you.
TOP 5 best anti-tick tablets for dogs
Currently, the most popular and effective drugs are:
- "Bravecto"
- "Inspector Quadro Tabs"
- "Simparica"
- "Frontline Nexgard"
- "Nexgard Spectra"
1) Anti-tick tablets “Bravecto”/ “Bravecto”
Anti-tick tablets for dogs “Bravecto”/ “Bravecto”
| / "Bravecto" | Intervet GesmbH (MSD Animal Health), Austria/Netherlands |
| Official site | https://www.bravecto.ru/ |
| Composition/active ingredient (d/v) | FLURALANER |
| Dosage of active substance | 112.5 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg, 1400 mg (25-56 mg/1 kg of weight) |
| Release format (dog weight) | 2-4.5kg, 4.5-10kg, 10-20kg, 20-40kg, 40-56kg. |
| Features of application | — validity period 12 weeks; — speed of influence – from fleas 8 hours, from ticks 12 hours; — can be used by pregnant and lactating dogs under the supervision of a veterinarian; - used shortly before, during or after feeding; — used for puppies from 8 weeks of age, all breeds and weighing from 2 kg. |
2) Anti-tick tablets “Inspector Quadro Tabs”
Anti-tick tablets "Inspector Quadro Tabs"
| / "Inspector Quadro Tabs" | The manufacturer of the drug is the Russian Ecoprom.” The developer of the drug is Neoterica GmbH (Germany) |
| Official site | https://neoterica.ru/ |
| Composition/active ingredient (d/v) | Three-component drug: LUFENURON + MOXYDECTIN + PRAZIQUANTEL |
| Dosage of active substance | 10 mg lufenuron, 5 mg praziquantel and 0.3 mg moxidectin per 1 kg of weight |
| Release format (dog weight) | 120 mg, 240 mg, 750 mg, 1500 mg. (per animal weight: 0.5-2 kg, 2-8 kg, 8-16 kg, more than 16 kg) |
| Features of application | — the drug is used both for preventive protection and for treatment; — the duration of the protective antiparasitic effect of the drug (with a single use) is up to 5 weeks; — insectoacaricidal protection after 24 hours, reaching the maximum level after 48 hours; — it is possible to treat cats and dogs of all breeds without restrictions (for collie, sheltie and bobtail breeds, the drug “Inspector QUADRO” is used under the supervision of a veterinarian); — animal weight from 0.5 kg; - treatment of pregnant and lactating females is allowed (“Inspector” in the form of drops on the withers); — approved for puppies and kittens from 3 weeks of age (when using the drug “Inspector mini”); — for preventive purposes, the drug can be used throughout the year; — THREE-component composition provides maximum protection. |
3) Tablets against ticks "Simparika" / "Simparica"
Anti-tick tablets for dogs “Simparika”/ “Simparica”
| / "Simparica" | “Zoetis”, USA/Portugal, https://simparica.ru/ |
| Composition/active ingredient (d/v) | SAROLANER |
| Dosage of active substance | 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg; 120 mg |
| Release format (dog weight) | 1.3-2.5 kg, 2.6-5 kg, 5.1-10 kg, 10.1-20 kg, 20.1-40 kg, 40.1-60 kg. |
| Features of application | — protection period up to 35 days; — bioavailability about 85%; — possibility of use for very small dogs weighing from 1.3 kg; — the maximum concentration in the bloodstream is observed after 3 hours; - waiting period: for fleas - 3 hours, for ticks - 8 hours; — restrictions for animals sick with infectious diseases, as well as puppies under 2 months old. |
4) Tablets against ticks “Frontline NexGard” / “Frontline NexGard”
Tablets against ticks "Frontline NexgarD" / "Frontline NexGard"
| / "Frontline NexGard" | "Merial", France, https://nexgard.ru/ |
| Composition/active ingredient (d/v) | AFOXOLANER, 2.27% |
| Dosage of active substance | 11.3 mg, 28.3 mg, 68 mg, 136 mg (2.5 mg/1 kg weight) |
| Release format (dog weight) | 2-4 kg, 4-10 kg, 10-25 kg, 25-50 kg |
| Features of application | — 2-4 hours after administration, the maximum concentration of d/v in the blood is observed, bioavailability is 74%; - waiting period for initial exposure - 4 hours for fleas, 48 hours for ticks; — total duration of protection up to 4 weeks; — used for puppies from 8 weeks of age, all breeds and weighing from 2 kg; — tablets should not be used in productive animals; if necessary, pregnant and lactating dogs are given the drug under the supervision of a veterinarian. |
5) Anti-tick tablets "Nexgard Spectra" / "NexGard Spectra"
Tablets against ticks "NexgarD Spectra" / "NexGard Spectra"
| / "NexGard Spectra" | "Merial", France, https://nexgard.ru/ |
| Composition/active ingredient (d/v) | TWO-component drug: AFOXOLANER 1.87% and MILBEMYCIN OXIM 0.38% |
| Dosage of active substance | 2.5 mg afoxolaner and 0.5 mg milbemycin oxime per 1 kg of weight |
| Release format (dog weight) | 2.5-3.5 kg, 3.5-7.5 kg, 7.5-15 kg, 15-30 kg, 30-60 kg |
| Features of application | - pleasant taste of the tablet with the smell of stewed beef, as well as a soft texture; — comprehensive protection: from fleas and ticks, as well as from intestinal parasites (helminths, microfilariae, etc.); — proven effective against 8 types of ticks and 2 types of fleas — easily tolerated, no complications or side effects; — used for puppies from 8 weeks of age, all breeds and weighing from 2 kg; — there are no restrictions for dogs with allergies to animal proteins. |
Shampoos
Sooner or later, any dog owner is faced with the need to bathe his pet, and most prefer shampoos with an insecticidal composition. They protect against ticks and are used as a treatment for flea dermatitis. The big advantage of shampoos is that they have almost no unpleasant odor, unlike drops or collars. They can be used during pregnancy and from 5 weeks of age.
How does anti-tick shampoo work?
Unlike drops and collars against ticks and fleas, shampoo is less toxic, its effectiveness is lower than that of the above products, but this does not mean that it is inferior to other treatments.
For example, shampoos are well suited for people with allergies or those who have children or other animals in contact with their animals. Shampoos are suitable for weakened and old animals, but only under the supervision of a veterinarian. Shampoos act as a repellent against ticks, and it is better to use it together with other means of protection for a lasting effect.
Popular shampoos
Shampoo Faithful friend. This is the least expensive tick and flea treatment for dogs available today. The price varies in different regions from 100 to 180 rubles per 300 ml bottle. This is undoubtedly a lot of shampoo for very little money. The manufacturer promises a repellent effect for up to 3 days. Consumers themselves are skeptical about the product.
Shampoo Lugovoi AVZ. By tradition, it is one of the most budget-friendly external treatment products on the market, not counting Faithful Friend shampoo. A 180 ml bottle is enough for an average of 7 treatments of 10 kg dogs. The shampoo has a predominant aroma of herbs, at the same time, the shampoo neutralizes unpleasant odors from the animal, provides lasting protection against ticks and fleas for three days. Suitable for cats.
Shampoo Rolf Club. The advantage of this shampoo is that it helps well against lice, a 400 ml bottle is enough for a long time of use, and the shampoo also provides reliable protection against ticks and fleas for three days.
View in the online pet store petshop.ru
Features of using anti-tick tablets for dogs
When using, the following features should be taken into account:
- Anti-tick tablets for dogs are used monthly, the first dose is 30 days before the initial period of insect spread.
- The duration of use (frequency of administration) of the tablets depends on the region of residence and the number of parasites.
- The dosage is prescribed by the veterinarian based on the weight of the animal. You cannot change (increase or decrease) the dosage on your own, otherwise the protection will not be effective, or an overdose is possible. It is not allowed to break tablets.
- When taking it, take into account the age of the dog, as well as developmental characteristics - for puppies, pregnant, lactating or weakened animals, special standards for the use of tablets are established.
- The ban on taking tablets is established for dogs less than 2 kg and less than 2 months old; these indicators are individual for each drug.
- For dogs with diseases of the urinary and excretory systems, or with hypersensitivity to the active ingredients, the regimen of use is established only by a veterinarian.
- The tablet begins to act against ticks 24-48 hours after consumption, against fleas - after 3-5 hours, against internal parasites - 1-2 hours.
- The tablets contain a flavor (the taste of liver, chicken, etc.), which prevents your pet from refusing to consume it. However, the dog owner should make sure that the tablet is eaten.
Reviews from owners and veterinarians
Bravecto. The drug is new on the market, so it is not yet in high demand. However, those who have already tried it are satisfied with its effectiveness.
Inspector. The owners give this drug a solid five. no side effects were observed.
Advantix. Based on numerous reviews, we can say that the drops work great. Some owners have noted an allergic reaction in their pet. Also, many are not satisfied with the high cost of the drug.
Advocate. 51 out of 53 owners wrote exclusively positive reviews for this drug. Users are pleased with the wide spectrum of action of the drops, the ability to protect against internal parasites and ease of use.
Frontline. Owners note the high efficiency, convenience and safety of these drops.
Fiprist. 14 out of 18 positive reviews. Some noted an allergic reaction and a bad odor from the drops.
Leopard. Cheap and effective. Many owners prefer this particular drug. Although negative reviews also slip through.
BlochNet. 88 out of 121 owners gave these drops a 5 rating. Excellent value for money and quality.
Stronghold. Owners are pleased with the wide spectrum of action and effectiveness of the drug. Some noted the high cost of the drops.
Practically tick. A good affordable remedy, but an allergic reaction is possible.
Vectra 3D. Most people do not recommend these drops for treating dogs.
Rolf Club 3D - Owners note the ineffectiveness of the drops and an allergic reaction in the pet.
Dana. In general, the owners are satisfied, but many noted an allergic reaction in their dogs.
IN-AP. A wide spectrum of action, long-lasting action and effectiveness - all this is considered by owners to be “advantages” of these drops.
Celandine. There are both positive and negative reviews. Some noted the effectiveness of the drug, others say that the drops do not help at all.
As for veterinarians, they do not give preference to any particular drug. The main thing is to follow the instructions and safety measures.
Drawing conclusions
Thus, of the modern means, tablets provide the best protection for dogs against ticks and the diseases they carry, and their price is fully compensated by their service life. But for trips to the forest, it doesn’t hurt to supplement the protection with a repellent spray in order to repel some of the ticks and kill them at the stage when they crawl through the fur, and also to reduce the likelihood of bringing a tick home on your dog.
Have a nice and easy walk!
Author of the article: Alexandra Bondarenko https://UmnayaDobaka.rf/
Folk remedies for treating and controlling ticks in dogs
There are an exhaustive set of recipes for homemade products on the Internet, here is one of them:
- Lemon juice;
- Tincture of chamomile or geranium;
- Peppermint oil.
Mix these ingredients and place in a container with a spray bottle. The prepared mixture can be used to treat the lawn, kennels and enclosures of your pets. It is also considered effective to scatter boric acid powder over your area. Folk remedies are only suitable for treating objects and areas and are in no way suitable for applying them to the body of an animal.
