K9FORCE | FEBRUARY 2025
Isoxazoline's work causes paralysis and death of susceptible parasites
such as ticks, fleas and mites. However, the medication is only
effective once the fleas and ticks have bitten and fed.
The
next
group
are
your
topical
medications,
such
as
Frontline®(Fipronil),
K9
Advantix®
(Imidacloprid,
Permethrin,
pyriproxyfen) and Revolution® (Selamectin). Each contains a different
class of drug compared to our oral external parasite treatments.
Frontline is not available in Canada but is available in the United States
without a prescription from a veterinarian. It is one of the few flea and
tick preventatives that can be safely administered to pregnant and
lactating females. These medications work by causing dysregulation of
specific neurologic pathways, ultimately resulting in the parasite's
death. Most parasites will be repelled, though some still need to bite
prior experiencing the medications effects.
Lastly, collars are impregnated with insecticides such as the Seresto®
collar. Seresto® collars use the medication imidacloprid/flumethrin to
repel and kill ticks/fleas through contact.
An Explanation of Veterinary Anti-Parasitic
Heartworm Preventatives
Mosquitoes that carry heartworm can be found worldwide, with
increased incidence in Ontario, Quebec, and interior British Columbia.
When an infected mosquito carrying microfilaria (the larval stage of
heartworm) feeds, it passes these along to the next dog. The larvae will
migrate to the heart, where they will develop to maturity. When mature,
they can average 5-12 inches long and can be found within the
chambers of the heart and the large blood vessels surrounding it.
Flea and tick preventatives have multiple different administration
styles and a wide range of different products available.
Oral medication is one of the most popular forms of flea and tick
preventatives. This category is largely made up from medications
from the isoxazoline family. They can be seen in products such as
Nexgard® (Afoxolaner) and Bravecto® (Fluralaner).
Flea and Tick Preventatives