Attentive dog owners are undoubtedly trying to make the life of their beloved pet as long as possible and at the same time comfortable. But animals tend to periodically become infected with various parasites when walking and in contact with other pets. Drops "Stronghold" are familiar to many owners, they are often advised to use veterinarians. What are they used for? What are the dosages and contraindications?
Description of the drug
Stronghold Drops for dogs are a known antiparasitic. It is used both for the treatment of external parasites and internal ones. The drug is able to destroy not only adults, but also larvae and eggs, which makes it as effective as possible.
The reviews about Stronghold for dogs are mostly positive. This is determined not only by the high effectiveness of the drug, but also by low toxicity to humans, which makes it possible to process not only the pet itself, but also the things surrounding it, furniture, carpets.
Drug information
The main active ingredient of the drug is selamectin, the concentration of which reaches 6 or 12%, depending on the particular application. Excipients are components such as dipropylene glycol and isopropyl alcohol.
Drops "Stronghold" for dogs from ticks are available in liquid form:
- 0.25 or 0.75 ml of a 6 percent solution;
- 0.25 ml, 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml, 2.0 ml for a 12 percent solution.
In the box with the drug there are 3 different pipettes with multi-colored caps.
The price of Stronghold for dogs varies by package size, region and country. On average, in Russia you can buy a medicine at a price of 300 to 1800 rubles. per pack.
Operating principle
The preparation "Stronghold" for dogs is effective in the fight against round helminths, ticks and nematodes. The active substance (selamectin) forms a bond with the cellular receptors of nerve and muscle fibers, as a result of which the permeability of cell membranes to chlorine occurs, and also electrical activity is blocked. As a result of this effect, parasites have paralysis, and they die.
High efficacy of the drug is achieved due to its rapid absorption in the area of application. The drug begins to act actively only a day after the first use. For animals and humans, this tool is practically safe and non-toxic.
In addition, even after the complete destruction of helminths and external parasites, the active substance selamectin is stored in the blood of the animal for a period of about a month, which causes additional protection against reinfestation.
Benefits
Reviews about "Stronghold" for dogs note a lot of advantages of the drug:
- High efficiency. In most cases, just one treatment is enough to destroy a colony of parasites or ticks. In some cases, the procedure requires another repeat after 30 days.
- Security. The medicine is not dangerous for humans and animals, since their cellular connections are completely different. However, despite this, getting the product in the mouth can have a very unpleasant effect on the intestines in the form of diarrhea.
- No bad odor, which is an advantage for most dog owners.
- A wide range of applications (Stronghold is used against many external and internal parasites).
- Long-term protection up to 1 month, due to the preservation of the active substance in the blood. Therefore, after application, the positive effect persists.
- Ease of use.
The disadvantages can only be attributed to the rather high price of the Stronghold, but it is fully justified by its high effectiveness in combating parasites.
Indications for use
The instructions to the Stronghold for dogs indicate the following diseases in which the use of the drug is effective:
- Ear scabies. With this disease, effectiveness is achieved already with a single use of the drug - after 30 days, live pathogens are not detected.
- Sarcoptosis is scabies caused by ticks. In this case, double treatment of the affected animal is required with an interval of 30 days. The effectiveness of such treatment reaches 99%.
- Dirofilariasis is a disease caused by nematodes, dirofilariae, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. The drug completely destroys adults, larvae and eggs. It is completely safe for humans and animals.
- Toxocariasis - toxocara damage. The disease is dangerous not only for the animal, but also for people who come in contact with it, since there is a high probability of infection.
- Hookworm - lesion of roundworms with 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 you to quickly absorb into the skin and dry out, increasing effectiveness.
Mode of application
The instructions to the Stronghold for dogs indicate that the drug must be applied to dry skin between the shoulder blades and along the back to the tail. In this case, it is very important to fix the animal so that it does not have time to lick the product before it is absorbed into the skin.
To destroy parasites, the drug is used once or twice with an interval of 30 days. In addition, the drug is allowed to be used as a prophylaxis on a monthly basis.
Dosage
"Stronghold" for dogs up to 5 kg is used exclusively at a concentration of 6%. In this case, 0.25 ml of the drug must be applied in one treatment. For ease of application, disposable pipettes have different cap colors that match the required dosage. In this case, use a pipette with a purple cap.
Dogs weighing 5 to 10 kg need a preparation with a brown cap in a dosage of 12% and an amount of 0.5 ml.
For animals from 10 to 20 kg, a medicine with a red cap at a concentration of 12% is used, for this weight 1 ml of the drug is needed.
From 20 to 40 kg use a pipette with a dark green cap, 12 percent concentration in an amount of 2 ml.
For animals weighing more than 40 kg, a dosage is prescribed in excess of 2 ml of a 12-percent concentration of the active substance.
Contraindications
Despite the fact that the reviews of Stronghol are positive for dogs, the drug has some contraindications, non-observance of which can bring some harm to the animal. These include the following factors:
- puppy age up to 2 months;
- weakened state due to any disease or malnutrition;
- individual intolerance to any components of the drug;
- the presence in the history of infectious diseases.
With all this, the drug is considered approved for pregnant and lactating bitches.
Side effects
If the dosage rules are not followed or contraindications are present, such negative consequences can be observed:
- allergic reactions;
- itching
- burning sensation in the field of drug application;
- cramps
- dilated pupils;
- respiratory failure;
- secretion of foam from the mouth.
When observing such symptoms, the animal urgently needs veterinary care.
Recommendations for use
In reviews of the Stronghold for dogs, veterinarians agree that, despite the safety of the drug, its use should be treated with due care:
- it is necessary to wash your hands well with soap after applying the product to the withers of the animal;
- it is important for half an hour, while the product is absorbed, not to allow the animal to itch and lick;
- within half an hour after application, it is important to limit the contact of the pet with children;
- after processing furniture and other household items, it is also important to wait for the medicine to completely dry.
Despite the safety for humans, simple rules should be followed so that the product does not get into the mouth.
Analogues of the drug
If it is impossible to use the drug "Stronghold", you can use its analogues, which can be found in any veterinary pharmacy:
- "Barrier";
- "Dana Ultra Neo";
- "It will fade";
- "Inspector";
- "Leopard";
- "Celandine".
Some of these medicines can be used by young puppies up to 2 months of age.
Terms and conditions of storage
Under the right conditions, Stronghold drops do not lose their beneficial properties for 3 years from the date of release, the date of which should always be present on the package of the drug. In addition, it is recommended to store drops at a temperature not exceeding 3 degrees in a dark place. It is also forbidden to keep medicines near animal feed or human food.