Stronghold is another excellent Spot-On flea treatment that is only available from your vet. Its active ingredient is Selamectin.

It is used to kill

wLive fleas for up to one month and the larvae for up to 3 weeks.

wHeartworm for a month - which only occurs if your pet travels to areas such as Spain, France or Canada - NOT in the UK.

wEarmites (but is NOT applied to ears - still to base of neck where its effect will kill the earmites).

wBiting lice in dogs and cats.

wAdult roundworms in cats and dogs.

wAdult intestinal Hookworms in cats.

wSarcoptic mange in dogs.

It is used in dogs and cats over 6 weeks and is to be used monthly in healthy dogs and cats that are not underweight. It can be used in pregnant and lactating animals.

It is applied topically at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades. Use the correct pipette for the weight of your pet. Open the pipette by firmly pushing down the cap to puncture the protective seal. Apply it in one spot by carefully parting the fur.

Warnings

wI have seen areas of fur loss where Stronghold has been applied. It is very rare though and the fur should regrow.

wThere can be clumping of the fur where Stronghold has been applied and the occasional appearance of some white powder. This should disappear within 24 hours.

wApply it so that your pet is unable to reach and lick it. Your pet may salivate excessively if they are able to get to it. Also keep pets apart for the night that may groom each other.

wDo not apply when the haircoat is wet.

wKeep children away from their pet for at least an hour after treatment.

wDo not allow treated animals to bathe in rivers for at least two hours after treatment.

wWash hands after use and avoid touching your mouth or eyes.

wIt is highly flammable so do not smoke near your treated pet.

If you own a rabbit, guinea pig or rat, here is another treatment that is similar to Stronghold but is specifically for your small pets

Xeno spot on for small pets

Xeno 450 is a very new drug that is going to prove invaluable for small pet owners.

It is made of 450ug of ivermectin in each spot on tube. These are applied to the back of the neck of:

wrabbits

wguinea pigs

wferrets

It will treat:

wfleas

wmites

wworms

in small pets.

Normally we would use ivermectin or Panomec drops and injectable to treat mites in small pets. It works very efficiently in treating the mite. A repeat dose for mites in guinea pigs of ivermectin is 10 days and then a third treatment after another 10 days in bad infestations. Ivermectin or Panomec drops and injectable that we use is not licensed for use in small animals, only large animals such as cattle. It makes it so much easier for us as vets now to finally have ivermectin available in the spot on formulation of Xeno 450 to treat your small pets safely.

It is given at the back of your pet's neck. Ensure that your ferrets, guinea pigs or rabbits are kept apart once it is applied so that they do not groom each other for a few hours. Use it again after 2 weeks.

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