Stronghold For Cats: Instructions For The Use Of Drops, Treatment Of Kittens, Reviews Of The Drug, Analogues

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Stronghold for cats: composition, application, reviews of the drug

Fleas, ticks and other similar parasites are a real misfortune for both pets and their owners. Such tiny insects not only constantly cause concern to the representatives of felines, but are also capable of carrying serious diseases of a parasitic and infectious nature. To protect cats from such problems, there are many effective means, to which Stronghold belongs. You just need to find out how to properly use this useful drug.

Content

• 1 Release form, composition of Stronghold
• 2 How drops work

• 3 When the drug is indicated

  3.1 Use for kittens, pregnant cats

• 4 How to use the drug correctly

  • 4.1 Table; dosage of the drug depending on the weight of the cat
  • 4.2 Video: Applying Stronghold drops
  • 4.3 Drops from fleas
  • 4.4 Protection against worms
  • 4.5 Killing ticks
  • 4.6 Use of Stronghold for prevention
  • 4.7 From ear scabies
• 5 Contraindications, side effects
• 6 Interaction with other drugs
• 7 Storage conditions and shelf life

• 8 Cost, drug analogues

  8.1 Table: Stronghold analogues

• 9 Reviews of veterinarians
• 10 Reviews about the drug of cat owners

Release form, composition of Stronghold

Stronghold, a drug, is marketed in the United States by Pfaizer Animal Health as a clear, sometimes yellowish solution (s). Such a substance is characterized by a double action, replacing two independent medicines. Helps to cure tailed pets from internal and external parasites. Its action is fatal to the larvae of these insects. This tool not only destroys harmful individuals, but also protects the cat from repeated infection with parasites (reinvasion) for at least a month from the moment of treatment.

In the Stronghold preparation, the active substance is selamectin. Its content in the solution is 6 or 12%. The component, called selamectin, is an antiparasitic agent and has a wide range of applications. This substance infects harmful insects, nematodes (roundworms), subcutaneous ticks that parasitize cats. Isopropyl alcohol and dipropylene glycol are added as additives to the drugs.

A solution containing 6% selamectin is produced in the form of disposable pipettes made of polymeric materials with a volume of 0.25 ml, weighing 15 mg or with a capacity of 0.75 ml, weighing 45 mg. The drug containing 12% of the active ingredient is produced in the form of polymer pipettes containing 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 ml of the agent. The dosage of the medicinal solution is determined by the weight of the cat. The blister pack contains 3 (6) pipettes. The pipettes indicate the name of the drug, the amount of the active ingredient, its volume, expiration date, and serial number.

Stronghold packaging of three pipettes

The same data is duplicated on blisters that are in cardboard boxes. The pipettes and packaging are the same color. In addition to the data indicated above, the package contains information regarding the manufacturer, his address, storage conditions of the substance, the method of its use, an inscription indicating that the drug is used for animals.

This tool can be used to treat animal hair, as well as to apply the solution to surrounding objects, likely flea habitats. This medicine does not contain oil and therefore leaves no residue.

How drops work

The receptors (nerve endings) of tissue cells of nematodes, arthropods and the selamectin contained in the solution used come into contact with each other, which is why the parasites block neuromuscular impulses. All this ends with paralysis of the respiratory system and the inevitable death of harmful living organisms. Stronghold drops, which have a large field of action, are very effective at killing all kinds of harmful insects that live on pets. The main component of the drug selamectin perfectly penetrates into the cat's body, and then stays in it for a long time. The active substance contained in the solution is completely absorbed by the animal's body in a day. The death of adults occurs after 24-28 hours. after applying the solution. The versatile action of the drug allows not only to eliminate harmful insects in the animal's body, but also prevents the recurrence of the invasion for about 30 days. Subject to the dosage indicated on the product insert, it will not pose a danger to the cat.

When the drug is indicated

Before using such a medicine, it is necessary to study in which cases it is used. According to veterinarians, the indications for its use are as follows:

• as a means of prevention and protection against various insects - parasites: fleas, ticks, lice;
• to eliminate ectoparasites: insects, arachnids living on the body or external organs of the cat;
• during the prevention, treatment of an ailment caused by otodectosis, known as ear scabies, ear mites;
• during deworming during hookworm disease, toxocariasis;
• restoration of the cat's body after sarcoptic mange, otodectosis caused by ticks;
• flea dermatitis.

To apply Stronghold antiparasitic solution, they are used exclusively externally. Tips for using the solution:

• it is recommended to apply drops every month;
• must be used for cats or cats over 1.5 months old;
• use the medicine for animals weighing more than 2.5 kg;
• purchase as directed by a veterinarian;
• if you suspect the occurrence of side effects, you need to consult a doctor;
• the volume of the drug for treatment is determined by the veterinarian, the weight of the animal affects the dose used.

External and internal parasites annoy your cat

Use for kittens, pregnant cats

This medicine is used as a therapeutic agent for young, old, weakened felines. However, it is categorically contraindicated to treat kittens with this drug that have not yet reached the age of 6 weeks. Their body can be seriously damaged by this. For ticks, for example, wormwood oil is used for kittens, which repels blood-sucking insects from babies. This product is distributed in drops to the corners of the place where the kittens are.

Stronghold for kittens will rid them of small insects

As for pregnant or lactating cats with infestation (insect infestation), there are no restrictions on the use of drops in the treatment of such animals. Negative effects were not noticed even with an overdose of the drug. It should be remembered that in such cases, the treatment of ailments, preventive measures are carried out under the supervision of a specialist.

How to use the drug correctly

There are no difficulties in how to use the tool correctly. The package contains instructions for the use of this substance. It is better to use hand gloves for the treatment procedure. The work begins with the fact that they take out a pipette with a solution from the blister, hold it vertically. Next, you need to press on the cap in order to make a hole in the foil covering the pipette opening. The lid is no longer required; it is removed. After that, the fur (dry) on the withers of the animal is pushed apart and carefully, in accordance with the dosage prescribed by the veterinarian, the entire solution is squeezed out from the pipette, trying not to get on your hands. Massaging this area is not recommended. The dosage of the drug is carried out for each cat individually. The veterinarian chooses the dose of the substance depending on the physical condition of the animal, its weight. Basically, the dosage with an active substance concentration of 6% is:

Table; dosage of the drug depending on the weight of the cat

Weight, kg	Pipette cap color	Selamectin dose, mg	Pipette volume, ml
up to 2.5	purple	15	0.25
2.6‒7.5	blue	45	0.75
More than 7.5			Combination of pipettes

According to the doctor's prescription and the table for pets less than 1.5 months old or weighing less than 2.5 kg, 15 mg of the medicine is used, while for a cat weighing 7.5 710 kg, 2 pipettes are used at once, one of which is with purple cap, the other with a blue one. At the same time, you cannot self-medicate, since the improper use of any medication can have negative consequences.

Video: applying Stronghold drops

Flea drops

Application of the drug allows you to destroy both adult insects and the eggs laid by them, so relapses are not observed. Processing is carried out once every 30 days.

Protection against worms

In the case of toxocariasis, the medicine is applied to the withers once. To be sure in the final elimination of helminths, it is a good idea to donate feces to a veterinary clinic for research.

Killing ticks

The fight against ticks is carried out by applying the agent twice. Processing should be carried out in the spring and summer, when infection is possible. There must be at least 30 days between treatments.

The use of Stronghold for prevention

The medicine is used for prophylactic purposes to protect against dirofilariasis, a disease that occurs due to infection by the most dangerous helminths - heartworms. For this purpose, drops are used once a season. This should be done during the peak of the aggressiveness of the mosquitoes that carry the disease. When an animal is supposed to be taken with you on a trip to a region where there is such a disease, then Stronghold is applied 30 days before the trip.

For ear scabies

In a situation with otodectosis, the drug is used once. The ears are first cleaned of scab and husk. They free the ear canal from excess sulfur, use cotton swabs moistened with hydrogen peroxide for this. The medicine itself is not buried inside, but is applied from the outside near the ear canal. If otodectosis proceeds with complications (otitis media), then additional drugs are prescribed that are effective against inflammation and microbes. If necessary, the course of treatment can be repeated after a month.

Contraindications, side effects

This medicine has practically no contraindications. Do not use drops in the following situations:

• if there is an individual intolerance. an allergic reaction to the components that make up it;
• kittens less than 1.5 months old;
• sick animals with infectious diseases;
• recovering cats.

This drug is not administered internally. Treatment of otodectosis should not be accompanied by instillation of the substance into the ear canal. Stronghold is also not applied to wet cat hair. Upon completion of the procedure for applying the medication, it is necessary to protect the treated animal from direct contact with high-temperature heating devices until the fur is completely dry. Side effects from the use of Stronghold are not observed if you follow the recommendations of your veterinarian.

Interaction with other drugs

Thorough clinical studies have shown Stronghold's complete compatibility with other drugs or vaccines.

Storage conditions and shelf life

Stronghold should be stored in the manufacturer's packaging, at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C, to exclude its contact with food. Place it in a dark place out of the reach of children. It is undesirable to store the drug near heating devices, sources of open fire.

Cost, drug analogues

The price of Stronghold is influenced by the weight of the cat and the required volume of drops. For a bottle of 15 mg, you need to pay about 230 rubles, for 30 mg - 300 rubles. The cost also depends on the pricing policy of the pharmacy, its location. You can replace this drug with analogs, which exactly can be seen from the table.

Table: Stronghold analogues

Drug name	Structure	Indications for use	Contraindications	Cost, p.
Inspector Total K	Fipronil (active ingredient) -10%, moxidectin - 1%, polyethylene glycol -29.9%, butylhydroxyanisole-0.2%, butylhydroxytoluene - 0.1%, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether - 58.8%	Destruction of fleas, lice, sarcoptoid, ixodid ticks, larval and sexually mature nematodes	Individual intolerance. Not applicable to kittens under 7 weeks old, weak, sick animals.	280 (0.4 ml), 350 (0.8 ml).
Advantage	The active substance is imidacloprid, 10%, additional components are benzyl alcohol, butylhydroxytoluene, propylene carbonate.	Destroys fleas, lice, lice.	It is not used for kittens up to 8 weeks old, with allergic reactions to the components of the drug. Rarely, there is redness and irritation that disappears spontaneously after a day or two.	161 (0.4 ml) ‒205 (0.8 ml).

Both analogues, like Stronghold itself, are aimed at destroying internal and external parasites.

Advantage is effective against parasites

Veterinarian reviews

Reviews about the drug of cat owners

The Stronghold drug has proven itself well as an antiparasitic agent. It is well accepted by four-legged pets, regardless of their age and breed. Not prone to allergic reactions and non-toxic to pets. The main thing in its use is to strictly follow the instructions of the veterinarian, dosage instructions and observe the required frequency of treatments.