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10 Best Cat Flea And Tick Medications
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Q: How important is flea and tick prevention in northern Arizona?
A: Northern Arizona is an arid climate that, luckily, is not conducive to the proliferation of many parasites. However, this doesn't mean we don't have parasites; it just means we have pests specific to this region.
Your location is the most critical aspect to consider when looking at the parasite control needs for your pet. This is also important for anyone who travels with their pet, as the recommendations for northern Arizona are quite different than the recommendations for other parts of the United States.
In northern Arizona, we definitely have ticks, and your pet can get ticks year round, even if you're not taking them outside your own backyard. Tick infestations do not require contact with other dogs, and just because you cannot see the ticks doesn't mean they're not there. We diagnose tick disease in many animals even when the owners are convinced they've never seen a tick!
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The problem with tick bites is that ticks can carry any number of diseases, including Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme disease, to name a few. In fact, there are likely many more tick diseases that we have not even identified yet.
Luckily, it can take up to 48 hours of feeding before a tick will transmit the organisms that cause tick disease. This means that if you have your pet on good tick prevention, the ticks will not transfer the diseases.
Tick disease can be devastating and lead to lifelong medical issues. That's why all pets in northern Arizona should be on flea and tick prevention.
There are many products on the market, and some are not very effective. Others can be very harmful to your pet, so I recommend consulting your veterinarian before using any product on your pet.
Most tick prevention is also flea prevention; however, the good news is that northern Arizona does not have much of a flea problem. However, fleas are a huge issue in the rest of the United States, so keeping your pet protected at all times is highly recommended.
Q: How important is heartworm prevention for my dog if I live in Northern Arizona? I've heard that it is not essential because of where we live. Is that true?
A: Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic roundworm called Dirofilaria immitis. It is prevalent in all 50 states, with the eastern and southeastern states seeing year-round parasite transmission. In northern Arizona, Dirofilaria immitis has been found in our coyote population, which can then spread to our pet dog population.
This parasite gets transmitted into the bloodstream of dogs through mosquito bites. Once the organism is in the bloodstream, it will go through multiple life cycles to turn into an adult worm that will end up living in your dog's heart, lungs, and blood vessels. If not treated, these worms will become so numerous that they will cause obstruction of the vessels and eventually cause heart and lung failure.
Heartworm is a profoundly severe and devastating disease and should not be taken lightly. Treatment is expensive and dangerous, and there can be severe side effects to trying to rid the pet's body of the parasite.
Most dogs that have a high worm load die from the disease. Fortunately, there is an easy way to prevent infection from heartworm, and it only requires giving your dog a monthly heartworm preventative. It becomes confusing when you live somewhere that doesn't have mosquitos year round because transmission during the months without mosquitos is exceptionally low to non-existent.
The recommendation is that you give the monthly heartworm prevention every month, all year round. This protects your dog from unwanted exposure when you might not expect it or when you travel. It is better to be safe and have your dog protected than chance them getting the parasite.
The other good news is that not only is heartworm disease easily prevented, but most heartworm preventions also act as a monthly dewormer against GI parasites. Your dog can be infected by intestinal parasites year-round, so monthly deworming is highly recommended. The bottom line is that all dogs should be on monthly heartworm prevention year-round, no matter where they live.
Dr. Julianne Miller is a Flagstaff veterinarian. She can be reached at drmiller@canyonpet.Com
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With The Right Medications, You Can Keep Your Cat Free Of Fleas And Ticks
Flea and tick treatments formulated for dogs are not approved for use on cats. Their biological systems are not compatible. (BestReviews)
With all the joys of cat companionship often comes the frustrations of trying to control fleas and ticks. You probably think these pests are annoying, but your pet undoubtedly finds them uncomfortable too. While there are numerous simple treatments available, flea and tick medications may be necessary for hard-to-control infestations.
Flea and tick medications come in oral and topical forms that work by breaking the life cycle of pests, killing eggs, larvae and adults. While some kill effectively but are short-acting, others target fleas, ticks and other pests and prevent future infestations. The best option for your pet depends on several factors, including age, weight, and type of application.
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Often, the owner must administer flea and tick treatment at home. Flea and tick medications are sold in either topical or pill form, each with advantages and disadvantages.
A topical ointment or drops can be applied directly to the pet's skin, eventually spreading to the rest of their coat. The most common location for a topical flea and tick treatment is between the cat's shoulder blades. Some cats don't like the feeling of the topical treatment on their skin and try to lick it off. Placement is everything regarding topical medications; the right spot should be pretty inaccessible.
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A medicated pill enters the pet's bloodstream, then reaches the skin through capillaries. Some cats don't like taking pills, so owners may have to crush the tablets and put them in food or wrap them in treats.
Most flea and tick medications are designed to create an inhospitable and/or toxic environment for fleas and ticks. The active ingredients in a topical ointment coat the cat's fur and skin, encouraging fleas to leave or die but making the cat ill if ingested. Additionally, some may experience skin irritation at the application site.
A medicated pill changes the cat's blood chemistry to destroy eggs, larvae and adult fleas. Still, some cats experience nausea, panting and other unpleasant side effects until the medication wears off. Owners should observe their pets after dispensing flea/tick treatment and be prepared to stop the course or switch to a different product.
Remember that flea and tick medications should always be used as directed by the packaging or your veterinarian, which will reduce the likelihood of side effects. In rare cases, an overdose of some medications could lead to severe illness or death, so take care to use any medication as indicated.
As with human medications, one size does not fit all. Veterinarians and owners must consider a cat's age, weight, and overall health before deciding on flea/tick medication. Manufacturers are required to include an established age range. Some medications can't be taken by kittens under specific ages. In turn, they can overwhelm older cats or those with compromised health.
Weight is also a factor since oral medication dosages are partially based on metabolism rates. If a cat is above or below the average weight range, it can be overmedicated or undermedicated. When choosing an over-the-counter flea and tick medication, owners should pay close attention to the recommended dosages based on age and weight.
There are entry-level flea powders, collars, and sprays available for less than $30, but most OTC topical treatments should cost between $30 and $90. Because of dosage considerations and the strength of the ingredients, many oral flea and tick medications are prescription only, along with higher-end topicals. Owners may need to pay for a veterinary office visit along with $100 or more for the actual medication.
[ Revolution's Topical Solution for Cats ]
Many indoor and outdoor cats benefit from a multi-prong approach to parasites, and Revolution starts to work within hours of application. It treats other conditions, such as heartworms and ear mites. It also dries quickly after application with no greasy residue. It kills both adult fleas and eggs.
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Available at Petco
[ Advantage II Flea Treatment for Cats ]
This treatment doesn't deter ticks but is an excellent choice for keeping your cat flea-free. It's a powerful treatment that provides lasting protection for cats that weigh 9 pounds and more. It's also waterproof.
Available at Amazon and Petco
[ Amazon Basics Flea and Tick Topical for Cats ]
This is a good choice if you are looking for an affordable topical option to tackle fleas and ticks. It comes in vials that are easy to apply.
Available at Amazon
[ Capstar's Flea Tablets for Cats ]
This affordable flea treatment can be purchased straight off the shelf and does not require a messy topical application. Although you'll have to use another product for prevention, it can be given daily and works within 30 minutes of ingestion.
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Available at Amazon and Petco
[ PetArmor Plus Flea and Tick Prevention For Cats ]
Although it's made with similar ingredients as medications that cost more, this is an affordable topical option that does a good job killing pests, including fleas, ticks, and lice. It comes in vials that are easy to use. Prevention is long-lasting for both fleas and ticks.
Available at Amazon and Petco
[ TevraPet Actispot II Flea Treatment for Large Cats ]
Made for adult cats weighing nine pounds and up, this flea-preventive product is made with a highly effective ingredient that works fast to eliminate fleas and ticks. It also kills ticks and breaks the reproduction cycle for up to four weeks after application.
Sold by Amazon
[ Cheristin's Topical Flea Treatment For Cats ]
Cheristin is a non-prescription topical that works especially well on younger, smaller kittens at least 8 weeks old. Complete adult flea eradication occurs in as few as 12 hours. It includes a topical applicator.
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Available at Amazon and Petco
[ Frontline Plus for Cats ]
Made by a trusted brand, you can depend on Frontline to kill fleas and ticks and keep them away for about 30 days per dose. The vials feature a design that makes them easy to apply while preventing drips and spills.
Sold by Amazon and Petco
[ PetArmor CapAction Oral Flea Treatment for Cats ]
Formulated with a medication that begins to kill fleas in 30 minutes, this is another quality oral treatment that is reliable at freeing cats of flea infestations. It's a gentle option that can be used on kittens weighing just 2 pounds.
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[ Catego Flea and Tick Control for Cat ]
This is a good option if you need a flea treatment to eliminate just a few fleas. Thanks to the thin applicator tip, it works quickly and is simple to apply. It dries fast, too, so it's not likely to drip beyond the application spot.
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