Pesticides for Dogs

Controlling fleas and ticks for our search and rescue dogs is an on-going battle! Here is a list of the 3 most common treatments we use, followed by an explination of active ingredients in the pesticides used.

2009 is a BAD year for ticks. The SAR dog, Cooper, had over 100 ticks on him after two long weekends searching in May. (They all died within hours of biting him, but we still ahve to pull them off)

• K9 Advantix®

  • WEBSITE: http://k9advantix.petparents.com/howItWorks.cfm
  • ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Imidacloprid and Permethrin.
  • CONTROLS: kills adult fleas and flea larvae, repels and kills ticks before they bite, and repels and kills up to 98.2% of mosquitos.
  • RISKS: Do NOT use on cats. Do NOT use on puppies under 7 weeks old. Do not bath dog for up to 2 days after treatment. obviously - do not swallow, wash hands after using, etc...



• Frontline® Plus

  • WEBSITE: http://frontline.us.merial.com/products/products_flplus.asp
  • ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Fipronil and Methoprene.
  • CONTROLS: Kills adult fleas, disrupts growth cycle of eggs and larvae and kills all stges of ticks.
  • RISKS: Do NOT use on puppies under 8 weeks old. Do not bath dog for up to 2 days after treatment. obviously - do not swallow, wash hands after using, etc...



• Preventic®/Promeris®

  • WEBSITE: http://www.preventic.com/ & http://www.promeris.com/
    
  • ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Amitraz & (Metaflumizone- *Promeris).
  • CONTROLS: ticks and mange. (not fleas)
  • RISKS: Do NOT use on puppies under 12 weeks old.
    
  • PREVENTIC: This collar is not recommended for use in conjuction with a flea control, such as FrontLine - in dogs that are older, pregnant/nursing or dogs with existing medical conditions. Gloves are recommended for applying the collar to the dog. obviously - do not swallow, wash hands after using, etc...
  • PROMERIS: This is the topical version of Amitraz. The most distinguishing characteristic about this tick/flea control is the pungent smell immediately after application. The smell dissipates after 8-12 hours, but to say it is strong -is an understatement. The company claims it smells like Eucalyptus, and from experience, its similar and not unpleasant, but the overpowering nature of it is a turn off for some owners. But the most important factor, is that it DOES work and it is waterproof. **Promeris is only available from your veterinarian at this time.
    

Active Ingredients in Pesticides Used for Flea & Tick Control

• Pyrethrums (natural) & Permethrin (synthetic)

  These natural or synthetic insecticides are made/based-on dried Chrysanthemum flower heads. Wikipedia states “[Pyrethrins] are far less toxic to mammals and birds than many synthetic insecticides and are non-persistent, being biodegradable and also breaking down easily on exposure to light. They are considered to be amongst the safest insecticides for use around food.” NOT for cats! Permethrin can be harmful to dogs! Dr. FostersSmith states: " Permethrin is longer lasting and more stable than natural pyrethrin."
  • CONTROLS: ticks, fleas, lice & repels mosquitoes.
  • BRANDS: bioSpot – SPOT ON for Dogs® and K9 Advantix® and Knockout® and ProTICal®
  • PYRETHRIN FACT SHEET PDF
  • PERMETHRIN FACT SHEET PDF



• Methoprene

  An insect growth regulator. Affects juvenile form and eggs of fleas.
  • CONTROLS: juvenile fleas and larvae.
  • BRANDS: bioSpot – SPOT ON for Dogs® and Frontline® Plus
  • FACT SHEET HTML



• Amitraz

  (aka Mitaban): Kills ticks in collar form and kills mange (mites) in the liquid form (dip). The dust from the collar is absorbed through the skin and into the oil and haircoat.  Kills ticks before biting or within 24-hours of biting. NOT for cats. The Collar is Toxic! Do not let your pet eat any part of the collar. Best if kept dry - so remove before bathing. Collar must be in contact with the skin, but also allow 2 fingers between collar and neck.
  • CONTROLS: ticks and mange (1 collar is good for 90 days).
  • BRANDS: Preventic® & Promeris®



• Imidacloprid

  From Bayer. Not absorbed into blood or internal organs, so it will wash off with repeated bathing or exposure to water. It moves around the animal at the hair root level. Acts to over-stimulate the parasite's nervous system. Do not bath dog for up to 2 days after treatment.
  • CONTROLS: Repels and stops adult fleas from biting within minutes and kills adult fleas within 24-hours of application. Also kills flea larvae.
  • BRANDS: Advantage® and K9 Advantix® and Advocate® Preventic® (*note: K9 Advantix® does prevent against ticks because it also contains Permethrin)



• Selamectin

  Kills fleas by blocking their nervous system transmissions. Revolution® enters through the skin and stays in the bloodstream.
  • CONTROLS: heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, fleas, flea eggs, ear mites, some ticks and some gastrointestinal parasites.
  • BRANDS: Revolution® and Stronghold®



• Nitenpyram

  Acts to kill adult fleas already on pet. Only in pet’s body for 24-hours, so not a long term solution by itself.
  • TREATMENT: Tablets
  • CONTROLS: fleas.
  • BRANDS: Capstar® and Johnsons®



• Fipronil

  It sits in the oil glands of the skin and is slowly released over time. Acts to over-stimulate the parasite's nervous system, resulting in death. (*fleas might become a little over-active before dying) Does not contain pyretrhins/permethrins. Do not expose (dropper) treatment to UV light before using.
  • TREATMENT: Spray, collar, spot treatment. Do not bath 2 days prior or after treatment.
  • CONTROLS: ticks and adult fleas. (hence not flea eggs or flea larvae)
  • BRANDS: Frontline® and Frontline® Topspot™ and Frontline® Plus™.
  • FACT SHEET PDF

References

• National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) . 2008. Pesticide Fact Sheets. http://npic.orst.edu/npicfact.htm
  [NPIC is a co-op between Oregon State University and the EPA]
• Drs. Foster and Smith. 2008. K9 Advantix® Flea & Tick Control for Dogs. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/add_info.cfm?pCatId=9535
• Dr. Susan Brown, DVM. 2001. Flea Control. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=492&S=1&SourceID=43
• Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deet