Indications Stronghold for kittens and puppies up to 2.5 kg (15 mg)
Prescribed to dogs and cats to kill fleas (Stenocefalides spp.) and prevent re-infection of animals within 1 month after application of the drug. For the treatment of allergic flea dermatitis as part of complex therapy. For the prevention and treatment of otodectosis (ear scabies) caused by O. cynotis and sarcoptic mange caused by S. scabiei. For deworming of toxocariasis caused by Toxocara cati, Toxocara canis, and hookworm disease caused by Ancylostoma tubaeforme. For the prevention of dirofilariasis in regions where Dirofilaria immitis is registered.
Analogs
There are no direct analogues of Stronghold with the same composition. There are other medicinal complexes used to treat cats against fleas, ticks, and worms:
- "In-up complex" . Contraindicated in kittens under two months, pregnant and lactating cats.
- "Bars Spot-On" . Drops used to treat cats for tapeworms and roundworms. Treatment with additional medications against ticks and fleas is required to prevent re-infection.
These drops can also be used for treatment; the use of each drug must be coordinated with a veterinarian.
Doses and method of administration
Stronghold is used externally only. Before applying the drug, the pipette is removed from the blister and, holding it vertically, presses on the cap in order to pierce the foil covering the pipette, then the cap is removed. The drug is applied directly to the dry skin of the animal. To do this, spread the fur between the shoulder blades at the base of the neck and completely squeeze out the contents of the pipette, avoiding getting it on your hands. Do not massage the area where the drug is applied. Stronghold is prescribed once, the dose is chosen taking into account the type and weight of the animal. In each specific case, the solution is applied from one pipette with a cap of the appropriate color, and the dose per active substance is 6 mg of selamectin per 1 kg of animal weight. In case of simultaneous infection of an animal with several types of parasites, a single application of stronghold in the above dose is recommended.
Doses of stronghold for animals: for puppies and kittens, as well as dogs and cats weighing less than 2.5 kg, use a pipette with a purple cap with a volume of 0.25 ml, for dogs weighing from 2.6 to 5 kg, use a pipette with a purple cap with a volume of 0. 25 ml, for dogs weighing from 5.1 to 10 kg - a 0.5 ml pipette with a brown cap, for dogs weighing from 10.1 to 20 kg - a 1 ml pipette with a red cap, for dogs weighing from 20.1 to 40 kg - a 2 ml pipette with a dark green cap; for dogs weighing more than 20 kg, a combination of pipettes is used (for example, for dogs weighing from 40 to 50 kg, 2 pipettes are used simultaneously: one with purple and one with dark green caps), for cats weighing from 2.6 to 7.5 kg, use a pipette with a blue cap with a volume of 0.75 ml; for cats weighing more than 7.5 kg, use a combination of pipettes (for example, for a cat weighing from 7.5 to 10 kg, use 2 pipettes simultaneously : one with purple and one with blue caps).
To kill fleas and prevent re-infestation: use stronghold once a month during the flea active season. The drug destroys adult fleas that are on dogs and cats 24-26 hours after application and protects against re-infestation for 30 days. By destroying flea eggs, stronghold interrupts the development cycle of the parasite and prevents the next generation of fleas from appearing. Monthly use of the drug not only directly protects animals from infection, but also destroys the residual population of fleas (eggs and larvae) in the house or apartment. In this case, the use of the drug must be started a month before the onset of the flea active season. Within a month after the first application, Stronghold ensures a sharp reduction in the number of fleas in the animal’s habitat. The drug can also be used as one of the components of the treatment of flea allergic dermatitis, and it must be applied monthly.
Treatment of otodectosis (ear scabies) in dogs and cats: stronghold is used once. During the treatment process, it is recommended to clean the ear canal from exudate and scabs, and in cases of complications of otodectosis with otitis media, prescribe appropriate treatment with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs. If necessary, the course of treatment is repeated after 1 month.
Treatment of sarcoptic mange in dogs: Stronghold is used twice with an interval of 1 month. In order to prevent possible invasion, it is recommended to use the drug once a month.
Treatment of tocoscariasis and hookworm in dogs and cats: stronghold is used for therapeutic purposes once, and for preventive purposes - monthly.
Prevention of dirofilariasis: stronghold is used once a month during the flying season of mosquito vectors. The drug completely prevents infection of dogs and cats, killing microfilariae and preventing their transformation into adult nematodes. Since Stronghold has no effect on adult heartworms, its use is absolutely safe in infested animals. In order to protect animals that are imported into regions where dirofilariasis is common, it is recommended that they be given stronghold a month before the expected date of import. The last treatment of the animal with stronghold must be carried out within one month after the end of the mosquito vector flight season. If the monthly interval between applications of Stronghold has been exceeded, it is necessary to apply the drug as soon as such an opportunity arises. When replacing chemotherapeutic agents in the dirofilariasis prevention program, the interval between the administration of Stronghold and the previously used drug should be at least one month.
Composition of Stronghold drops
Stronghold is a complex, antiparasitic drug of the Spot-on type (drops on the withers). Manufacturer: Pfizer (USA). The drug is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of infestations by external and internal parasites.
Stronghold drops confidently secured a place in the top three, thanks to their unique composition. Oddly enough, there is only one active ingredient – selamectin. Drops are available in two dosages: 6% and 12%. Regardless of the dosage, the drug should be colorless or slightly yellowish. The drops are packaged in individual pipettes for single use.
For the convenience of owners, pipettes with different dosages of the drug differ in color:
- Purple pipette – dosage 15 mg – for kittens weighing up to 2.5 kg.
- Blue pipette – dosage 45 mg – for adult cats weighing up to 7.5 kg.
Note! Drops with a dosage of 15 mg are suitable for preventive and therapeutic treatment against external and internal parasites. It is strictly not recommended to reduce or even increase the dose of the drug on your own!
Contraindications
Increased individual sensitivity to the drug. It is prohibited to use stronghold on puppies and kittens under 6 weeks of age, patients with infectious diseases and convalescent animals. The drug should not be used orally or by injection. When treating otodectosis, do not inject stronghold directly into the ear canal. It is not recommended to apply the drug to wet animal skin. After applying the drug, do not allow the treated animal to come into contact with a source of fire or high temperature until the animal’s fur is completely dry.
Signs of overdose
If the dosage is exceeded, Stronghold may cause the following symptoms:
- violation of movement coordination;
- disproportionality of movements;
- disorientation;
- increased sensitivity to touch;
- paw trembling;
- dilated pupils;
- inability to rise;
- depression;
- blindness;
- to whom.
In addition to the wrong dosage, drug poisoning can occur due to the drug getting into the gastrointestinal tract (after licking).
special instructions
During the procedure, smoking, drinking and eating are prohibited. At the end of the procedure, you should wash your hands with warm water and soap. If the drug accidentally gets on the skin or mucous membranes, it should be immediately washed off with a stream of water. It is not recommended to wash, pet or allow the animal near small children for 2 hours after treatment with the drug. After this time, the animal can be washed even with shampoo, which does not reduce the effectiveness of the stronghold. Empty drug pipettes must not be used for household purposes; they are thrown into waste containers.
Storage conditions
In a dry, dark place inaccessible to children and animals. Away from heating devices and open flames. Separated from food and feed at a temperature not exceeding 30 °C. Shelf life: 3 years.
How to use
Drops are applied to the skin between the animal's shoulder blades and rubbed in a little. The withers are the safest place from which neither a cat nor a dog can lick the drug. Drops dry quickly. After just 30 minutes you can play with the dog.
Stronghold drops against fleas are effective for a month. The first time they are used once is to kill parasites. In subsequent times, the drops are used for prevention.
Drops are used to treat arachnoses:
- otodectosis;
- sarcoptic mange;
- helminthic infestations;
- demodicosis.
The same indications apply to the use of drops in cats. These ticks do not lie in wait for their prey in the grass, like ixodid ticks. Having cured the disease once, you can count on a complete cure.
Stronghold for ear mites
For cats against ear mites, a single application of drops is sufficient. Later, Stronghold is used on cats only to prevent flea infestation. For dogs, it is recommended to use drops twice with a break of 30 days.
Important!
Drops should not be placed in the ears. Stronghold is applied to the withers. Once absorbed into the skin, the drug will reach the ears through the bloodstream. As a result, the otodectosis mites will die.
Sarcoptic mange is caused by subcutaneous mites. In common parlance they are called scabies. Sarcoptic mange usually starts in the paws and face and most often affects dogs. Stronghold for dogs against ticks that cause pruritic scabies is used twice with a 30-day interval.
Important!
Do not apply the drug directly to the affected areas. These areas are within the dog's access area, and the animal can ingest selamectin. The blood supply to the surface of the skin is also impaired. There is a possibility that the drug will not reach the itch. But when rubbed into the withers, selamectin will reach the ticks from the inside.
Drops are used similarly against worms of all types: once or twice with a break of 30 days and then monthly prophylaxis. Stronghold “works” against fleas only for a month. All double-action protective drugs assume that the period of protection against ixodid ticks is 2 times less than against fleas. When using Stronghold, ixodid and dermacentral ticks may appear on the dog 2 weeks after using the drops.
Treatment and prevention with Stronghold
The mites are eliminated quite quickly, but the symptoms persist for 2-3 weeks. To avoid re-infection, it is recommended to follow these basic tips:
- Destroy all objects that a cat with scabies has touched: sleeping place, toys. An alternative solution is freezing. In the cold, ticks die.
- During a walk, you need to carefully monitor your pet so that you can prevent its contact with street animals in time.
- Prevention should be carried out periodically, for which preparations in the form of drops are suitable. The product is applied 1 rub./month.
- It is necessary to support the animal’s body by adjusting the diet (healthy foods are introduced) and vitamin complexes.
Thus, subcutaneous mites are invisible, however, they can greatly harm your pet. Itching leads to scratching, and infection can enter through open wounds at any time. Certain forms of scabies cause serious deterioration in health. Another difficulty is that some mites do not respond to treatment. An effective scheme for removing parasites: complex treatment with injections and preparations for external use.
