Which tick drops for dogs are best used to prevent infection?

Good day. Several years ago, I took an active part in the activities of a shelter for homeless animals.

All work was carried out on a voluntary basis. Together we tried to make life easier for our pets.

Since then, I have left a huge baggage of knowledge about combating ticks in dogs. With pleasure and now helping my friends. Want to know which dog tick drops are best? What is their principle of action? I want to share with you the most detailed information on this issue.

9 best tick remedies

virtually all pet owners in spring face the problem of protecting their pet from ticks. This is especially true for dog owners: ticks carry very common and dangerous diseases, such as babesiosis (aka pyroplasmosis), borreliosis (the so-called Lyme disease, which people can also suffer from) and some others.

To date, a huge number of drugs have been developed, different in price and effectiveness, in the form of drops, collars, sprays and even systemic tablets.

Validity may vary from 1 week to 3 or more months. Let's try to figure out which modern tick remedies are the best.

Drops at the withers

Frontline Combo from the company Merial. 670 (for 1 pipette 2, 68 ml (for medium dogs from 20 to 40 kg)). For many years, Front Line has been ranked first in terms of popularity among anti-mite protection.

Active substances: fipronil 9.8%, S-metoprene - 8.8%. Effective against ticks, lice, lice, fleas and their eggs. The drug does not have a systemic effect, distributed on the surface of the skin during the first days after application to the withers and spine. 2 days after this, the animal is not recommended to be washed.

The main advantages: efficiency; sold in almost all pet stores and pet stores; safety of use. Cons: relatively high cost.

Advantix from Bayer. 1,500 (for 4 2.5 ml pipettes (for medium dogs from 10 to 25 kg)). The main active ingredients: imidacloprid (10%) and permethrin (50%). Effective against lice, fleas, lice beetles and ixodid ticks at various stages of development. Refers to moderately hazardous substances, does not have a systemic effect.

The death of parasites begins already 12 hours after the spotted application of the drug to the skin in the withers and spine. A local inflammatory reaction of the skin in the area of ​​contact with the agent is possible.Do not use in sick and weakened animals, as well as puppies under 7 weeks of age. 4 types of dosages depending on the size of the dog.

Hartz Ultra Guard by Hartz. 650 (for 3 pipettes of 1.3 ml (for medium dogs from 7 to 13.5 kg)). The main active ingredient is phenotrin (85.7%). Drops are active against fleas, ticks and mosquitoes for 30 days, a protective effect develops 2-3 days after applying the withers to the skin.

Water resistant. Treatment of weak and sick animals is contraindicated. During pregnancy and lactation, a preliminary consultation with a veterinarian is required. Four dosage options are available for dogs, depending on the size (weight) of the animal, as well as for cats.

The main advantages: low cost; efficiency; rarely causes allergic reactions. Cons: hard to find in pet stores.

Collars

Foresto from Bayer. 1 800 (for a collar 70 cm long (for dogs over 8 kg)). New development of the famous pharmaceutical company. The main active ingredients are imidacloprid and flumetrin. The collar is a polyvinyl tape that can be adjusted in length.

Available in two versions: for dogs less than 8 kg and larger. The kit includes reflective clips that can be mounted on the collar. Effective against ticks, fleas and lice eaters for 8 months. Waterproof, retains its properties after washing the animal. It is not recommended to combine with the use of insectoacaricides of other groups.

The main advantages: prolonged action; no odor;
high efficiency. Cons: high cost.

Kiltiks from Bayer. 700 (for a collar 48 cm long (for medium breeds)). The collar is a flexible polyvinyl tape that can be adjusted in length.

The active substances, propoxur and flumetrin, in the form of a powder, are gradually released when the collar is worn, protecting the animal from being infected by ticks, fleas, lice and lice eaters. Active for 6 months. Toxic to bees and fish. There are collar options that vary in length: for small, medium and large dog breeds.

The main advantages: prolonged action; efficiency; safety of use. Cons: local reaction possible; a specific smell is present; the period of effective action is slightly less than that declared by the manufacturer.

Sprays

Front line from the company Merial. 1,700 (per bottle of 250 ml). The active substance is fipronil. Processing is carried out from a distance of 10-20 cm, then rubbed lightly into the wool (gloves must be used!). The areas near the lips and eyes are wiped with a dampened cloth.

The main advantages: long-term protection; can be used for pregnant, lactating females, small puppies and kittens, as well as some other animals. Cons: high cost; certain inconvenience when spraying.

Bolfo from Bayer. 350 (per bottle 250 ml). Propoxur acts as an active component. The animals are treated from a distance of 30 cm against the coat until slightly moistened.

It is recommended to prevent possible licking of the drug within 20 minutes after treatment by putting on a muzzle or bandaging the animal's face.

The main advantages: low cost; it is possible to process surfaces.Cons: short action; a specific smell is present; insecurity when using.

Tablets

MSD Bravecto. 1 300 (for 1 tablet 500 mg (for medium dogs 10-20 kg)). At the heart of the tablet is fluralaner, which begins action 4 hours after application. The complete death of ticks occurs after 12 hours, the preventive effect against re-infection with ticks and fleas lasts up to 12 weeks.

When giving tablets, the destruction of its shell is prohibited. Do not use puppies under 2 months of age, as well as dogs weighing up to 2 kg. Occasionally, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression are noted after use.

Frontline Neksgard from the company Merial. 1,600 (for 3 tablets of 68 mg (for average dogs 10-25 kg)). New chewable tablets have an attractive taste and 12, 27% afoxolaner - a substance that destroys fleas and ticks that have infected an animal. Half an hour after application, the destructive effect of the drug on fleas begins.

The complete destruction of ticks occurs after two days, after which the animal remains protected from re-infection for 1 month. With prolonged use, a decrease in appetite, skin reactions, diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness may be noted.

Main advantages: quick effect; ease of use; attractive taste. Cons: a systemic drug - undesirable reactions are possible.

What are the best remedies?

Despite the fact that the assortment of veterinary pharmacies is endlessly replenished with the latest acaricidal agents, none of them can 100% protect a pet. What to do? Firstly, after each walk, the dog must be carefully examined for ticks.

Particular attention should be paid to areas with a thinner and shorter coat: belly, inner surface of paws, muzzle, ears.

Secondly, the best solution would be to combine various drugs based on different active substances, unless, of course, this is prohibited by the instructions.

It is worth choosing new drugs, since ticks have not yet developed resistance to their components. If a sucking tick is found in the dog, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Dog ticks: which are better

If owners buy flea products throughout the year, then drops from ticks for dogs begin to be acquired with the onset of the first spring heat and until the first frost in the fall. It is during this period that the blood-sucking parasites are most active.

But ticks are not as dangerous as the diseases that they carry. But what are the best tick drops for dogs? Who can be trusted with the health of your beloved mustache?

The animal is protected after applying drops for 2-3 weeks. However, much depends on how the owner of the mustache applied drops, whether all conditions are met.

Be sure to apply on dry coat and skin. Another two days is not allowed swimming the animal, swimming in water. During this time, the active substances penetrate the subcutaneous fat, and then completely reach the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. And after that, the dog is considered protected.

But it will scare away the fleas and ticks that you have chosen or kill them, it already depends on which drug you choose. Repellent (scaring away) or insect acaricide (extermination of ticks and fleas).

How else can you protect your pet

In addition to drops from ticks and fleas for dogs, there are other remedies. These include the following.

Collar. The downside is that it "works" only to scare away bloodsuckers, but does not affect their death. And despite the duration of its action (for some manufacturers, the “activity” of the active substances with which the collar is impregnated persists for up to six months).

Spray. A huge plus of this tool is that it begins to work immediately after drying on the body of the animal. If the drops and the collar need some time to “activate”, then the spray begins to scare away ticks and fleas immediately.

However, there are also disadvantages. One of which is to fully process the body of the animal. If somewhere there remains a small untreated area, then it is on it that you can find ticks. In addition, it is imperative to ensure that the dog does not lick itself until the spray dries completely.

If you went with your pet to relax on a pond or were exposed to rain during a walk, then part of the spray will simply be washed off the surface of the body. Therefore, it is necessary to process the pet again.

Top best dog tick drops

Bayer. In deserved first place. German drugs have proven their worth. Here and drops (Advantix) for a month, and collars (Kiltix), and sprays with shampoos (Bolfo). Drops begin to work 12 hours after application to the skin. Bloodsuckers present on the animal begin to die on the very first day.

Frontline. French FrontLine helps to relieve not only ticks (for a period of a month), but also from fleas, lice and lice-eaters, as well as their larvae (for two months).

In addition to a drop, a spray is also on sale. It does not penetrate into the blood, it “spreads” through the skin on the very first day (it is important not to wash the animal 2 days before treatment and two days after, so that the effect is better).

The use is contraindicated in puppies up to 8 weeks old and in sick or weakened animals. One drawback is that the price of drops from dog ticks from this manufacturer is quite biting. However, its effectiveness deserves the money spent on the tool.

Stronghold. American Stronghold produces only drops. It is impossible not to mention that it is this manufacturer that produces protective drops that are safe for small whiskers.

Starting from a month and a half, these drops can be applied to the withers (it is only necessary to use the product from the series for puppies!). Also, these drops help get rid of scabies and ear mites. The effect is preserved for a month.

These drops from ticks for dogs have an average price of 100 rubles per pipette.

Hartz. And again, American drops from ticks and fleas for dogs from the manufacturer Hartz. Validity as well as the predecessors - a month.

Protects not only from ticks and fleas, but even mosquitoes. Perform its protective functions after 2-3 days after application.

A huge plus is that it has water resistance, but do not abuse it with bathing. It is forbidden to use for sick and weakened animals, as well as animals under the age of one year.

Pregnant and lactating with caution (if the risk of infection is higher than the risk of complications) and only after a face-to-face consultation with a veterinarian.One of the minuses is not easy to find in veterinary pharmacies.

RolfClub and Bars. If we talk about domestic drugs, then the most effective RolfClub and Bars. RolfClub is allowed to be used even by puppy and lactating bitches. Protects for a month. Bars also protects for 2 months. One pipette is enough for a dog weighing 10 kilos.

Mite tablets, sprays and drops

With the onset of heat, each owner begins to take his pet out for walks more often. However, such a problem as mites, great spoils the whole impression of nature. Which dog tick remedy to choose? And what types of protection exist today? This will be discussed in this article.

Drops. This type of product is applied to the withers of the dog. In order for dog tick drops to function properly, several important conditions must be observed. The drug is applied only to clean coat, as the animal cannot be washed 2 days after.

The active substance of the drops is absorbed into the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. As a result, even sucking insects die.

Sprays The most long-acting drugs. The term of their protection is up to 4 weeks. However, dog mite spray also requires application conditions. The first rule is to apply the drug without missing a single patch.

The second rule - make sure that the dog does not lick the spray until it is dry. Aerosol is very convenient to use even outdoors, in nature.

Tablets. They are used inside and are aimed at the destruction of ticks and fleas. Less - tick tick tablets for dogs very often give side effects such as diarrhea or vomiting. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the animal.

A huge amount of means to kill ticks can enter into a stupor. Which manufacturers produce the highest quality products? Which tick remedies for dogs are most effective?

Best drops

Frontline Combo from Merial. These drops have been leading the way among dog owners for many years. Active ingredients - fipronil and metoprene. Perfectly destroys not only ticks, but also fleas, as well as eggs of all parasites.

The term of protection is one month. If you often bathe your dog, you need to reduce the interval between applications to 3 weeks. The pluses can also be applied to the presence in all pharmacies and the safety of use. FrontlineCombo can be used for puppies under 2 months old.

Advantix from Bayer. It must be at least 12 hours before the product begins to work. Active substances - imidacloprid and permethrin. The downside is the risk of allergies.

Of the advantages, one can distinguish a relatively low price, the presence in many pharmacies and stores. Well, and of course, the effectiveness of the drug at the right level. You can not use these drops in case of an animal’s disease, as well as if its age is less than 7 weeks.

The treatment of sick dogs is prohibited. During the period of carrying the puppies and feeding them, a consultation with a veterinarian may be required.Of the minuses, it can be distinguished that the tool is quite difficult to find in pharmacies and pet stores.

Best sprays

Front line from the company Merial. The active substance is the same as in the drops. The spray processes animal hair from a distance of about 20 centimeters. Then the composition is rubbed into the skin and coat. In this case, gloves must be used.

This spray can be used to protect a pregnant or sick dog, as well as puppies younger than 2 weeks old. Protection will be valid for 1 month.

After the end of the treatment, it is necessary to ensure that the dog in no case licks the spray. To do this, use the muzzle or tie the jaw of the dog with a handkerchief.

For puppies, the product is not suitable. Cons - not a very pleasant smell and a fairly short duration. Plus - affordable price and availability in many pharmacies and stores. In addition, it is convenient to take an aerosol with you.

Best pills

Bravecto. The active substance of these tablets begins to work after 4 hours. Complete destruction of ticks and fleas occurs after 12 hours. The protection effect lasts about 3 months. Cons - the presence of side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea.

Frontline Neksgard. This product is made in the form of chewable tablets, and its taste characteristics are focused on what the animal likes. Therefore, to give it is not difficult. The death of ticks begins within half an hour after taking the medicine. Note that in no case should you damage the shell of the tablet.

Side effects can be considered standard for all pills - vomiting, diarrhea. But these side effects are rare enough. Fairly affordable price and the quick effect of this tool - these are the advantages for which dog lovers love it. The reviews are pretty good. Protection is valid for 1 month.

Best collars

Foresto from Bayer. Available in two versions - for animals up to 8 kg, and for dogs more than this weight. The collar protects against fleas and ticks for up to 8 months! In addition, it has no unpleasant odor and side effects. The only negative is the rather high price. Reviews about this collar are only positive.

Kiltiks from Bayer. This collar is also available for different weight categories of dogs. Its validity is up to 6 months. The active substance is toxic to fish and bees. Cons - a rather unpleasant odor, as well as the likelihood of allergies. Pros - affordable price and availability in all pharmacies and pet stores.

If you strictly follow the instructions, and the tool did not help, perhaps you just did not fall into the 80 percent guarantee that the manufacturer writes about. Try a different drug.

Tick ​​vaccinations

There are a lot of rumors around dog tick vaccinations. The main myth - vaccination against ticks for dogs allows you to completely protect the animal from bites. This is not true.

What rules should be observed if you decide to vaccinate an animal:

The vaccine does not cancel the seasonal treatment against insects! The vaccine does not scare away bloodsuckers, but only gives immunity against the diseases that they carry.

Folk remedies

If suddenly you didn’t have any chemicals at hand, and there is a danger of a tick bite, we recommend trying folk remedies for ticks.

Various aromatic oils with a pungent odor scare away all insects, and ticks in particular. It is necessary to take clove, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary or other oil with a tart and pungent odor. One part of the oil must be mixed with 10 parts of water. Spray the dog before going for a walk.

If you live in a private house, plant more geraniums on the site. In addition to the decorative function, this flower will also repel ticks and mosquitoes.

Tar soap has a very sharp aroma, thereby scaring away unexpected guests. You just need to wash the dog with this tool. It is completely harmless and well soothes the skin of the animal, if it already has bites.

Wormwood must be filled with boiling water and insist an hour. Next, with this composition you need to rinse the dog after swimming. Such a remedy has a rather unpleasant odor, so the animal may begin to worry. If you see that the dog is nervous, it is better to rinse it again and choose another remedy.

Pour 20 drops of geranium oil into 2 tablespoons of almond oil (sweet). Add vanillin (a couple of drops). Mix thoroughly and apply to the dog’s collar and withers before walking.

Note that folk remedies for ticks do not give one hundred percent protection against a tick bite. Therefore, after a walk, carefully inspect the dog. It is still better to use chemical preparations - they are much more effective and last longer. It is also important to know what symptoms may appear in a dog that has been bitten by a parasite.

Tick ​​Bite Symptoms

A tick in a dog gives certain symptoms. And treatment should follow immediately. The disease that occurs after a bite of a blood-sucking insect is called pyroplasmosis. Her symptoms:

• The animal has lost its appetite.
• The dog has a fever.
• The mucous membranes changed color from pink to grayish.
• The dog is weak, does not want to play and run.

Typically, these symptoms occur 3-6 days after the bite. If you start treatment, a favorable outcome is almost guaranteed. If you ignore the symptoms of the disease, the dog may die.

Treatment of pyroplasmosis

Dog treatment involves an integrated approach. These are drugs that destroy the parasites themselves, vitamins, drugs to strengthen the heart of the animal. In some cases, the veterinarian may prescribe a course of droppers to restore salt balance in the body of the animal. Only a doctor will prescribe a more detailed scheme.

Now you know everything about modern tools for combating ticks, fleas and other parasites. Protecting dogs from ticks is very important, because these insects are carriers of dangerous diseases!

Regardless of whether you use chemical or folk remedies for ticks, there is always a risk that your pet will be bitten.Therefore, it is important not only to take measures to prevent a parasite bite, but also not to forget to regularly inspect the pet.

Protecting the dog from ticks and mosquitoes

Recent developments in this area are tablet preparations of the isoxazoline group (afoxolaner, fluralaner, sarolaner, lotilaner).

The first on the Russian market in 2014 introduced the tablet insecticide and acaricidal protection against ticks, Merial - Frontline Neksgard (active ingredient afoxolaner), in 2016 they also released Neksgard Spectra (active ingredients afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime).

In 2015, a drug of the same Bravecto group from MSD Animal Health (active ingredient fluralaner) was registered for use in the Russian Federation.

Both drugs should not be used in puppies under 8 weeks of age and weighing less than 2 kg.

In 2017, the Rosselkhoznadzor registered two more drugs of this group for circulation in Russia - Simparica from Zoetis (active ingredient sarolaner, valid for 5 weeks) and Credelio from Elanco Europe Ltd (active ingredient lotilaner, valid for 4 weeks).

Ticks Tick-borne encephalitis and tick-borne borreliosis for dogs and cats are not terrible, they do not get these diseases. For them, ticks are primarily dangerous by the infectious disease piroplasmosis (Babesiosis). The carriers of the pathogen are ixodid ticks (family Ixodidae).

Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are dangerous for dogs due to the fact that they serve as intermediate hosts for the biohelminths of dirofilariae. Dirofilariasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease characterized by cardiac, hepatic and renal complications.

Ticks traditionally prefer tall grass, shrubs near ponds, undergrowth, abandoned fields and meadows overgrown with weeds. They are waiting for the victim, sitting on the blades of grass and branches of bushes at a height of not more than 60 cm from the ground.

Less likely to meet ticks in dry pine forests with sandy soil or in areas deprived of grassy vegetation. They are most active in the mornings and evenings. Day in hot weather and during rain the risk of bloodsuckers attack is reduced.

Prevention - means of protecting dogs from ticks

Means of protection against ticks can be divided into two groups:

1. repellents that have a deterrent effect (they do not allow insects to attach themselves for some time, but do not kill them. They give you a head start to find a tick before it bites);
2. insectoacaricides that cause the death of parasites.

To date, the bulk of the funds is presented in the following forms: tableted insecticaricidal means of protection, drops at the withers, collars, as well as sprays and ampoules with essential oils.

All acaricides, except for tablets, are not absorbed into the blood, they act on the tick in a contact way, dissolving in a fat film on the dog’s skin and partially paralyzing the tick on contact with the skin.

This explains the basic rule for the use of acaricidal drops and collars - do not wash the dog with shampoo for two to three days of treatment from ticks and 2-3 days after. Do not apply drops or sprays to wet or damaged skin.

There are vaccines for pyroplasmosis - Nobivak Piro (Intervet Schering-Plow Animal Health, Netherlands) and Pirodog (Merial, France), but their main task is not to prevent the disease with pyroplasmosis, but to reduce the number of deaths from the disease.Vaccination is carried out once every six months, does not replace the treatment of dogs with acaricides.

Means of protection against ticks differ in active substances, terms of effectiveness and toxicity.

Tablets

Means for ticks in tablet form appeared on the market of veterinary products in Russia in 2014 (Frontline Neksgard). By the end of 2017, 5 such funds have already been registered:

The manufacturers' validity dates of the drugs - Bravecto 12 weeks, Frontline Nexgard, Nexgard Spectra, Credelio - 4 weeks, Symparika - 5 weeks; the mechanism of action of all these tabletted agents is to block arthropod receptors, hyper-excitation of neurons, impaired transmission of nerve impulses, which leads to paralysis and death of ectoparasites.

The main plus of tablets is that the drug is found only in body fluids and does not stand out on the skin. This means that the active substance will not lose insect-acaricidal properties during prolonged exposure to the sun and frequent water procedures (remember that permethrin and fipronil are washed out of the fat film and decompose in the light).

But for the same reasons, the tablets do not have a repellent property (the tick attaches to the skin of the dog and dies after the bite), so that an allergic reaction directly to the bite (saliva) is possible. Plus, the skin remains wounds from bites (which is clearly preferable to pyroplasmosis).

The maximum effect of ticks is 12 hours after taking the pill.

The first insoxacaricidal veterinary drug of the isoxazoline group was introduced in 2013. Leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs consider this group promising, given the wide range of insecticidal and acaricidal activity, and continue to research in this direction.

The use of insecticide and acaricidal tablets is not recommended for dogs with severe impaired liver and kidney function, as well as patients with infectious diseases and recovering animals.

Pyrethroids of the 2nd generation are currently considered the most effective non-tabular remedies:

1. permethrin: Advantix drops (Bayer), Vectra 3D (Seva Sante Animale),
2. Effitix (composed of permethrin and fipronil) (Virbak);
3. deltamethrin (Butox 50 spray, Scalibor collar);
4. fipronil (Frontline, Fiprist, Mr.Bruno plus);
5. flumetrin (collars Kiltiks, Foresto);
6. cifenotrin (drops of Mr. Bruno extra) and pyriprol (drops of Prak-Tick).

The safest drugs for both humans and animals are permethrin and fipronil. Permethrin is characterized by a high rate of exposure to ticks, as well as the presence of both acaricidal and repellent effects.

Its minus is its susceptibility to decomposition in the light and the fact that it is quickly washed out of the fatty film (these disadvantages are also characteristic of fipronil).

If both a dog and a cat live in your home, you must use permethrin-containing protective equipment very carefully - if it is drops, then do not allow the cat to contact the dog immediately after treatment! Permethrin collars are best avoided.

Drugs on tetrachlorvinphos have been banned in Europe since 1982, as carcinogenic. The resistance of ticks to diazinon has been proven, since it is actively used for processing fields and farm animals.

Drops at the withers

The active substance, after applying the drops, is distributed throughout the subcutaneous fat, accumulates in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of animals and is gradually released, scaring away or destroying ectoparasites.

Buy droppers 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 after treatment.

The onset of action is 3-5 days after application. Always read carefully the instructions for anti-mite drugs - what weight the pipette is designed for, how long the protection is guaranteed, from what age and weight the puppy or dog can use the drug, is it suitable for pregnant and lactating bitches.

Try to choose a drug, the dosage of which matches the weight of your dog as much as possible (not at the borderline values).

If the dog walks a lot in the sun and often bathes in water, it is necessary to reduce the time until the next treatment from ticks (for example, apply drops to the withers every 2 weeks).

The concentration of the drug on the paws is lower than on the body, due to the method of applying a drop. Inspect paws, including pads. The peak in permethrin effectiveness occurs on days 7-14 after application of the drops.

According to studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency, in dogs of the Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, miniature poodle, Pomeranian and Dachshund dogs, an undesirable reaction to cyfenotrin was often observed (Rolf 3D, Mr. Bruno extra, Front LineTritak), 33% of all cases; and shih tzu, Bichon Frize, chihuahua, Yorkshire terriers and Maltese lapdogs - permethrin (Advantix, Vectra 3D, Effitix), 25% of all cases of negative reaction.

Collars

The only plus of collars is that their validity is 5-7 months. You must wear it without removing it. The main disadvantage is that the active substance is released from the collar, and it is extremely difficult to ensure constant monitoring of the presence of collar contact with hair and skin in active dogs.

In addition, the duration of the effect declared by the producers relaxes the owners of the animals, creating the illusion that there is no need for additional actions to protect the dog from ticks.

In March 2014, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended stopping the use of collars with the active substance proposkur (for example, Kiltiks) due to the fact that the drug poses a risk to the brain and nervous system of development in children.

Sprays

The meaning of the use of sprays in their repellent (scaring) action. The smell disorientates the tick, not allowing it to quickly attach and giving you a head start to detect it.

When treating a dog with a spray, it is necessary to apply it on all the hair, not forgetting about the ears (Bavarians tend to walk “nose to the ground”, ears have a special risk zone for them), muzzle (covering the dog’s eyes) and stomach.

The maximum effect of tablets is also not achieved immediately, but after 12 hours, additional protection will not hurt). The duration of protection and the frequency of re-treatments are in the manufacturer's instructions. Until the coat dries completely, the animals must not be allowed to lick the preparation, to allow them to be exposed to open fire and heating appliances.

For example: Bolfo, Frontline spray (can be used by pregnant and lactating females, as well as puppies and kittens, starting from 2 days of age), Butoks 50 (Manufacturer "Intervet International BV. Against ixodic ticks - 1 dose per 1 , 3 liters of water.

Re-treatment (after the first application) is carried out after 2 weeks), NEOSTOMOSAN (Neostomosan). Dogs are sprayed with a neostomozan at a dilution of 1 ampoule per 400 ml of water, at the rate of 5 ml per 1 kg for shorthair breeds, or treated with a sponge, thoroughly moistening the entire surface of the body.

The finished solution of aqueous emulsions such as Butox 50 and Neostomozan is stored for no more than 24 hours after dilution. In the sun, the effect of sprays quickly disappears, with long walks, it is necessary to periodically update the protection.

In March 2014, several U.S. states petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the use of proposkur (Bolfo) drugs because the drug poses a risk to the brain and nervous system development in children.

Biological preparations based on vegetable oils. The pluses include the lack of addiction to them in insects and the danger to human and animal health. These are sprays, drops and collars of the Green Fort brand, ampoules with Zero Flea Line on (Hery) essential oils, cdVet Abwehr Konzentat oil, Sentry Natural Defense spray, Mr. Bruno repellent spray.

These funds are usually approved for use by pregnant, lactating, sick and debilitated animals, puppies, as they do not contain toxic substances.

Do not forget that the action of sprays is significantly weakened in the sun after bathing!

Other means of protection

land treatment from ticks. If the dog lives in the summer in the country, once a year in the spring it is recommended to treat the area from ticks with a solution of cypermethrin.

In extreme cases, when the dog and the owner plan to stay in places with an increased risk of contracting pyroplasmosis, not being able to quickly help the dog (hunting trip), prophylactic injections of imidocarb dipropionate (for example, Forticarb) are allowed.

Secondly, imidocarb provokes the death of hepatocytes (increased ALT and AST). Regular, from month to month, the use of the drug is unjustified. Declared insecticidal effect and a number of shampoos (for example, ROLF CLUB for dogs flea and tick shampoo with permethrin).

Considering the fact that the action of all acaricides is due to dissolution in the fat film on the dog’s skin, and when washing with shampoo this layer is washed off, the only case when the use of such funds is advisable is to wash a street dog that has been collecting fleas and ticks for a long time and other parasites (this will wash away all this menagerie).

Unfortunately, magnetic cards and ultrasonic keychains from ticks today, unfortunately, do not demonstrate sufficiently effective protection.

A combination of tick protection and disease treatment

For greater effectiveness, it is allowed to combine different methods of protection if their active substances do not match. The combination of collars, drops on the withers and sprays should be used exclusively on the recommendation of the manufacturer or veterinarian.

The active substances of the drugs accumulate in the hair follicles and can provoke an allergic reaction.

Allergy-prone dogs are not recommended to unjustifiably change their protective equipment in order to have an “in stock” alternative if the allergy manifests itself:

Drops on withers Advantix (Advantix). Active ingredients: imidacloprid and permethrin. The duration of protection is 4-6 weeks. It is not allowed to apply to patients with infectious diseases and recovering animals, as well as puppies younger than 7 weeks of age.

Collar Foresto® (Foresto®). Active ingredients: imidacloprid and flumetrin. The duration of protection is 7-8 months. It is not allowed to apply to patients with infectious diseases and recovering animals, as well as puppies younger than 7 weeks of age.

The active substances are a drop of Advantix (permethrin) and the Foresto collar (flumetrin), belong to one group - pyrethroids.

The manufacturer confirms the possibility of combining protective equipment: “Bayer laboratories evaluated the safety of the combined use of drops on the withers of Advantix® and the collar of Foresto® and demonstrated the safety of this combination for the animal.

In this case, the drops are applied according to the instructions to the skin of the pet, and not to the collar.

Bolfo spray. Active ingredients: propoxur. Repeated treatments - no more than 1 time per week.

A tick bit the dog: how to monitor the condition, when to run to the veterinarian

No matter how modern the dog has been treated, never lose your guard! Ticks may not bite right away, but roam the dog’s coat for about half an hour, choosing a place for a bite.

If the tick still bites: If a tick is found, it must be removed.

It is better to do this in a veterinary clinic. The place where the head of the female tick passes into the abdomen is very tender and easy to tear, so you can’t pull the tick out of the abdomen, you can just tear it off, the head with paws will remain in the skin, it is very difficult to remove them and, as a rule, the local inflammatory process begins.

You need to remove the tick with a special device (Tick twister) or tweezers, grabbing it from the skin and gently pulling it out. To protect yourself, wear gloves; a tick may be a carrier of diseases dangerous to humans. After removal, the wound must be treated with an antiseptic.

From the moment of a bite to the appearance of pyroplasmas in red blood cells, 2 days pass, and therefore, after a tick bite, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the dog and measure the body temperature rectally.

Borelliosis (an infectious disease caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia burgdorferi and also transmitted by ixodid ticks) is transmitted to the dog within an hour after a bite.

The first signs of piroplasmosis in which you need to urgently see a doctor: fever above 39.5 degrees, lethargy, rapid (up to 36–48 per minute) and shortness of breath, refusal to eat, mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth are pale or yellowish, urine with blood or dark color, weakness of the hind limbs, may be diarrhea.

Pyroplasma destroys red blood cells from the inside, free hemoglobin is formed (this explains one of the symptoms of pyroplasmosis - pallor of the mucous membranes).

If at least one of the listed symptoms appears (for example, only lethargy), urgently take your pet to the clinic. Recently, often pyroplasmosis appears atypical or lubricated in a chronic form. Sometimes it is necessary to re-take a blood test to detect parasites. The incubation period lasts from 2 to 14 days.

Diagnosis of pyroplasmosis: stained smear of capillary blood (from the ear, rarely from the claw), a smear of "enriched blood"; antiglobulin test (Coombs reaction) to detect antibodies associated with red blood cells; ELISA, rapid tests, PCR.

Babesiosis can cause deposition in the form of: autoimmune hemolytic anemia, acute renal failure, paresis and paralysis.

Treatment of pyroplasmosis

Be sure to ask the vet what kind of dog treatment he suggests! There are a number of drugs (azidine, neosidine, berenyl veriben), the active substance of which is dimenazone diaceturate.

These drugs can not be used, they are extremely toxic to nerve cells and the result of such treatment can be paralysis, paresis and convulsions. This appointment is a serious reason to think about changing the veterinarian!

The most effective treatment for pyroplasmosis is 1-3 intramuscular or subcutaneous injections of drugs with the active substance imidocarb dipropionate (imizole, imidosan, pyro-stop, babesan).

Adverse reactions to imidocarb dipropionate (tremor, unsteady gait) are relieved by atropine. In extreme cases, if the owner of the dog does not have the opportunity to wait for the results of a blood test for pyroplasmosis, a preventive injection of imidocarb is allowed if indicated.

If, despite the treatment, anemia progresses, you should check the dog for autoimmune hemolytic anemia (the dog’s body may attack its own cells, trying to destroy the pyroplasma). In this case, prednisone or hexamethasone can be used as a treatment to suppress immunity.

Chronic course. In a chronic course, all of the listed symptoms are not obvious, it is not always immediately possible to establish the cause of the disease. After the onset of pyroplasmosis, dogs can remain carriers of pyroplasm. Persistent immunity against pyroplasm is not produced.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects are dangerous for dogs due to the fact that they serve as intermediate hosts for the biohelminths of dirofilariae. Dirofilariasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease characterized by cardiac, hepatic and renal complications.

A few years ago, data on cases of dirofilariasis were only in the Far East and in the southern regions: in Russia in the Rostov Region, Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Adygea, Stavropol Territory. In Europe - in Greece and Bulgaria.

But recently, more and more often sick animals appear in the Moscow region and Moscow. In Europe, the geography of their habitat, alas, has also expanded (picture from the ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites) website):

In dogs, two species parasitize - D. immitis and D.repens, which differ in that in a sexually mature form (actually helminths) the former are localized in the cavities of the heart and large vessels (pulmonary artery, aorta), and the latter in the subcutaneous tissue, although occasionally they can be found in unusual places: eyes, head brain, abdominal cavity and spinal cord.

Larvae - microfilariae - travel by blood, concentrating on the periphery in the morning and evening hours, as mosquitoes are particularly active during this time.

Three days after a bite, most of the larvae are in the subcutaneous tissues. By the 21st day, most larvae migrate into the abdominal tissues of the dog, on day 41, they migrate between the muscle fibers and penetrate into the veins that carry them to the heart and lungs.

Thus, by preventing monthly diroflariosis, we kill the larvae in the skin at sizes in the range of 1.09-1.65 mm or during migration between muscles, etc. (somewhat larger). With prophylaxis once every 3 months, the death of the larvae will already occur in the vessels of the lungs, with the size of the larvae exceeding 20 mm.

Bayer has a visual creepy cartoon about how microflaria penetrates the dog's body and how they develop there.

Dogs in regions that are stationary unfavorable for dirofilariasis should undergo annual diagnostic examinations:

• A blood test for microfilariae (microscopic examination or Knott's test). Its peculiarity: it reveals all the microfilariae present in the blood, regardless of the genus and species (it can be not only representatives of the genus Dirofilaria). But microfilariae in the blood during this test will be detected only with parasitization of both males and females.
• An enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method by which antibodies to dirofilariae or the antigen itself can be detected.
• Rapid tests of immunochromatographic detection of D. immitis agents in blood serum, plasma and whole blood of dogs.
• Additional studies: indirect fluorescence methods, chest x-ray, echocardiography, angiography.

It is very important to apply one or another treatment regimen based on a certain type of dirofilaria: when a shock dose of angelminthic is applied to an animal (especially a small) affected D. immitis, there is a risk of intensive blockage of blood vessels by dead dirofilariae, which can lead to extremely serious consequences.

Dirofilariasis Prevention

All prophylactic agents for controlling diroflariosis currently belong to the macrocyclic lactone (ML) class of drugs: moxidectin, ivermectin and milbemycin oxime for monthly oral administration or as a drop at the withers.

The life cycle of diroflarias determines the frequency of prophylaxis - once a month. The prophylactic dose is 0.006 mg (6 mcg) per kg of dog weight.

Before using drugs that destroy sexually mature dirofilaria, it is imperative to do a test for their presence in the blood! In the case of a positive test, treatment should be carried out only under the supervision of veterinarians!

The new comprehensive tabletted protection against ticks and mosquitoes is Nexguard Spectra from Merial Company (active ingredients afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime). Validity 4 weeks.

The most common prophylactic is Stronghold Drops, manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health, USA. The active substance is selamectin.

When using Stronghold once a month during the flight season of mosquito vectors, the drug completely prevents the infection of dogs and cats, killing microfilariae and preventing their transformation into adult nematodes.

The drug is broad-based Endogard. The manufacturer is Virbac. It is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug for the treatment and control of the occurrence of the most common endoparasites in dogs.

Endogard is also used to treat giardiasis and prevent dirofilariasis. The active substance for the prevention of dirofilariasis is ivermectin.

In disease-disadvantaged regions, the drug is used in the spring-summer-autumn period (April-October): once a month before the start of the flight season of mosquitoes and mosquitoes (carriers of the causative agent Dirofilaria immitis) once, then once a month and last time every season after two months after the end of the flight of insects.

Another comprehensive preparation is Helmimax (manufacturer of the Api-San NGO, registered on December 31, 2015). Contains moxidectin and praziquantel.

Bayer HealthCare offers drops for the prevention of dirofilariasis Lawyer. The active substance is moxidectin (a semisynthetic compound from the milbemycin group).

In order to prevent dirofilariasis, the drug is used once before the flight of mosquitoes once, then once a month and last time in a season 1 month after the end of the flight of insects.

Intervet Schering-Plow Animal Health, the Netherlands offers a Scalibor® Protector Band insecticide and collar (Scalibor® Protector Band) which repels 98-100% of common mosquitoes (Culex pipiens) from dogs and prevents bloodsucking for at least 6 months.

Novartis Animal Health Launches Milbemax (Milbemax tablets for adult dogs contain milbemycin oxime -12.5 mg / tablet and praziquantel -125 mg / tablet), as a comprehensive tool for combating endoparasites.

Drops on the withers Inspector Total C. Manufacturer ZAO NPF Ecoprom under the control of Veterinar Bio (Germany). Active ingredients: fipronil, moxidectin.

In order to prevent dirofilariasis, the drug is used in the spring-summer-autumn period: before the start of summer, insects from mosquitoes and mosquitoes (carriers of the pathogen D. Immitis) once, then once a month and last time in the season not earlier than 1 month after completion insects flying.

The drug is also effective against 14 types of external and internal parasites, including ixodic, demodectic mites.

It does not destroy mature dirofilariae, but reduces the number of microfilariae circulating in the blood, and can also be used by invasive animals. The drug should not be applied to wet or damaged skin, the animal should not be washed for 4 days after treatment with the drug.

Suspension Dironet (Manufacturer - Scientific and Production Center Agrovetzashchita S.-P. LLC, Russia). Active ingredients: ivermectin, pyrantel pamoate and praziquantel. Ivermectin in the preparation has a detrimental effect on the larvae (microfilariae).

For the prevention of diroflariosis, monthly use is recommended. But as part of praziquantel and pirantel, irrelevant!

What is the disadvantage of preventing diroflariosis with complex-acting drugs (tablet helminths)? It is recommended to use them monthly, and according to parasitologists, including Konyaev S.V., monthly consumption of praziquantel is not justified.