All day long, your dog has been restless, scratching, and licking himself. You are heartbroken to witness his suffering, and you urgently require an answer.
You can treat your dog by going to the pet store, purchasing some topical medication, and applying it there. Sounds simple, right?.
It isn’t. It’s much more difficult to get rid of fleas and ticks than most pet owners realize.
Luckily for you and your dog — there’s hope. There are several efficient methods for getting rid of bothersome crawlers and keeping a healthy coat.
Precisely, we’re looking at topical treatments and tablets for dogs. What you need to know if you’re unsure which of the two is best for you
Types of Flea & Tick Control Products and How They Work
Fleas and ticks can spread a variety of diseases to both people and animals in addition to being a nuisance. Use medicated drops, collars, powders, shampoos, or sprays to prevent parasites from harming your pet or your family. Always follow the directions when using these products, and if your cat or dog exhibits any negative reactions, consult a veterinarian.
Signs Flea and Tick Medication Is Working on Your Dog
Within 24 hours of treating your dog with flea and tick medication, you can anticipate seeing at least a few dead fleas. The itching, however, probably won’t stop for a few days. Because the flea life cycle (from egg to adult) lasts about 3 months, multiple rounds of treatment over a number of months will be required to solve the issue if your pet has a severe infestation.
Since ticks are tougher than fleas, it will take longer for a treatment to be effective (closer to 24–48 hours depending on the type of treatment used). Dead ticks may or may not fall off your dog. A vet should typically remove dead ticks as soon as possible to ensure that the tick’s head, which may be buried under your dog’s skin, is completely removed.
Tell your veterinarian if you’ve started using a particular preventative tick medication and notice the same number of ticks on your dog or more of them. You might need another type of tick repellent.
Types of Oral Flea Treatment and How They Work
An oral medication may come in the form of a chewable tablet or a pill. When insects bite your dog, it is ingested and spread to the insects. Except for Bravecto, which is administered every 12 weeks, most oral medications are administered monthly.
The active ingredients in oral treatments vary. Which active ingredient the products contain determines how long they will remain effective.
The isoxazoline class of medications revolutionizes the fight against fleas and ticks. Isoxazolines, unlike other tablet active ingredients, kill adult fleas and ticks. As a result, when used as a first line of defense after discovering parasites on your dog, medications containing this ingredient are extremely effective.
Isoxazolines work on the nervous system of adult parasites to kill them when they bite your pup. The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers products in this class safe and effective for dogs. However, the organization warns of adverse neurologic reactions in some pets, especially those with a history of seizures.
Common products for dogs in the Isoxazoline Class include:
An insecticide called spinosad eliminates fleas during their adult stage of the life cycle. It works by attacking their nervous system. Spinosad, which is used in products like Trifexis and Comfortis (chewable tablets), is regarded as safe.
Sentinel is an insect growth regulator that targets only fleas. Instead of killing fleas, it stops their eggs from hatching. It works well to get rid of an infestation but may not provide quick relief from bites.
If your dog is already scratching, use Sentinel along with a quick-acting flea-killing product.
Sentinel does not work on ticks.
Always remember to consult your veterinarian regarding possible side effects prior to combining treatments.
If the medication tastes good, give it to your dog as a treat, mix it with his food, or use a pill dispenser.
Comparatively simple to administer compared to topicals that need to be applied directly to the skin are tablets. For instance, applying a topical to the skin of a dog with thick fur will take some time.
The only time you come into contact with a pill is when you’re giving it to someone. Unlike with topical treatments, you don’t need to touch the active ingredients or be concerned about them rubbing off on people, children, and animals.
If your dog enjoys swimming, they can continue to do so while receiving treatment. Unlike topical treatments, pills do not wash off. Once consumed, they keep eliminating the bothersome parasites.
Keep in mind that some dog treatments are toxic to cats if you have both dogs and cats. Consequently, your cats may be at risk of poisoning if you allow your pets to congregate after using a topical treatment.
Giving your dog a pill is much simpler than keeping them apart while the therapy dries.
Dogs with sensitive stomachs may experience vomiting or diarrhea after taking pills or chewable tablets. In dogs with allergies, they might also result in digestive issues. Your dog may have a negative reaction to such medication if they are a picky eater.
Most oral medications target adult fleas. Consequently, medications cannot cure an active infection in your dog. They might provide momentary relief, but when the flea eggs hatch, the condition might get worse.
Oral medication is usually prescription-only. It is advised to seek professional advice prior to use because the effects of inadvertent dosage can be severe. Although there are some over-the-counter medications, they are only meant for short-term, acute relief.
FAQ
How long does it take for flea pills to work on dogs?
Thankfully, both topical and oral flea preventions work quickly to eradicate flea infestations. Oral preventions frequently work within the first two to four hours, while topical preventions have been shown to eliminate dogs’ current flea burdens within 12 to 48 hours.
How effective is flea pills?
A study that appeared in Veterinary Parasitology appears to support flea product manufacturers and veterinarians. The ninety-day study found that topicals were 88. 4 percent effective, while oral treatments were 99. 9 percent effective.
Why does my dog still have fleas after taking a flea pill?
Even though it might happen much more quickly, fleas jumping onto your pet could take up to 24 hours to die. There are no flea remedies that prevent fleas from biting pets. This means that until the flea product kills it, you may still see fleas on your pet, despite the fact that you are using a licensed flea treatment.
What is the best pill to kill fleas on dogs?
Comfortis is the most widely recommended prescription flea-only drug for treating flea infestations in pets. The chewable, beef-flavored Comfortis tablet is FDA-approved for killing fleas and preventing flea infestations on dogs and cats for a full month.