Stronghold for dogs

Stronghold for dogs is an original product from the American manufacturer Pfizer. What makes this product unique is that it can be used not only against fleas, but also to eliminate worms, earworms, and other parasites. subcutaneous mites.

Drug release forms

The main active ingredient, selamectin, is a macrocyclic lactone patented in the 1990s by Pfizer. Because the patent has not yet expired, there are no generic versions (official equivalents) of the drug on the veterinary market. This explains the relatively high price of Stronghold for dogs.

The following types of drugs can be found in pharmacies:

• for puppies weighing up to 2.5 kg (15 mg selamectin): 350-400 rubles/per 1 pipette;
• for small breeds weighing up to 5 kg (30 mg selamectin): 450-500 rubles/per 1 pipette;
• for medium breeds weighing 5-10 kg (60 mg selamectin): 500-550 rubles/per 1 pipette;
• for large breeds weighing 10-20 kg (120 mg selamectin): 550-600 RUR/per 1 pipette;
• for dogs over 20 kg (240 mg selamectin) 700-750 rubles/per 1 pipette.

The drug is available as a ready-to-use solution. However, if an ampoule with the correct concentration for a specific weight is unavailable, the manufacturer allows for a combination of several pipettes. The recommended dosage is 7 mg of selamectin per 1 kg of animal weight.

Important! If you need to treat a dog weighing 5 kilograms and have a 60 mg ampoule of active ingredient available, do not use only half of it. It is best not to use the product at all.

It's also important to note that Stronghold is available in 6% and 12% solutions. Only the ampoules for dog breeds over 5 kg are compatible. Do not treat puppies with the 12% solution!

How to apply Stronghold correctly

The instructions for Stronghold for dogs are quite simple. Apply the prepared solution to the skin between the shoulder blades. Remove the dropper from the protective packaging, remove the cap, and carefully pour out the contents. Protect the animal from moisture for 2-3 hours. Otherwise, the product will not work.

For prophylactic purposes, Stronghold is used once every four weeks. For ear infections scabiesFor an infection caused by oribatid mites, the drug is administered once. Additionally, the animal's ear canal should be cleaned of pus and scabs. If the dog's condition does not improve, Stronghold should not be used again. Consult a veterinarian for additional antimicrobial and antiparasitic medications.

For sarcoptosis caused by acariform mites, the instructions for Stronghold for dogs allow for two applications. However, the interval between treatments should be at least 30 days. If the product is used for deworming (for toxocariasis or hookworm), the therapeutic dose is applied once.

Effect of the drug

The drops work by distributing the active ingredient across the upper fatty layer of the skin. Selamectin targets GABA receptors in parasite nerve cells and blocks neuronal signals. Ultimately, fleas, ticks, and worms lose their ability to move and then die.

In vertebrate mammals (including dogs), GABA receptors are located in the central nervous system, which is protected from the negative effects of medications by a special barrier. However, an incorrectly administered selamectin concentration can cause side effects. Poisoning most often occurs after an animal accidentally ingests the solution. If the dosage is correct, intoxication will not occur, even if the animal thoroughly licks its fur after applying Stronghold.

Please note! This product is approved for use on sensitive dog breeds (collies, bobtails, and shelties). However, before the first treatment, ask your veterinarian to conduct a sensitivity test.

Symptoms of Stronghold overdose are primarily related to the drug's effects on the animal's central nervous system. In most cases, intoxication manifests as:

• disorientation;
• uncoordinated movements;
• excessive salivation;
• hair loss at the site of application;
• temporary failure of the lower limbs;
• general lethargy.

Sometimes the above symptoms appear several days after applying Stronghold, which significantly complicates diagnosis.

Diagnosis and treatment

As mentioned above, signs of selamectin poisoning rarely appear immediately after treating a dog. To determine whether Stronghold is the cause of the poisoning, a veterinarian will likely conduct blood, urine, and stool tests, as well as examine the treatment site. If Stronghold residues are not detected in the samples, the owner will need to review all insecticides and medications the animal may have had access to. Similar symptoms can be caused not only by accidental ingestion of chemicals but even by inhaling toxic fumes. Sometimes, the interaction of Stronghold with other medications can cause unpleasant symptoms. If the underlying cause of the poisoning cannot be identified, the veterinarian will additionally examine the animal's stomach contents or even liver cells.

If the dog tolerates the intoxication relatively mildly, medication is not prescribed until a definitive diagnosis is made. However, if the animal is very ill, additional intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration. Electrolyte and sugar combinations are also administered to help the weakened body adapt to any imbalances. Further treatment may be purely symptomatic.

Acute allergic reaction to Stronghold

An acute allergic reaction is much more dangerous than chronic intoxication, but it's also easier to diagnose. Almost immediately after applying the product, or after the dog licks the fur, the following symptoms appear:

• muscle cramps;
• dilation of pupils;
• rapid breathing;
• foaming at the mouth;
• sharp reddening of the skin at the treatment site.

The treatment site may also feel very hot (the dog will whine and roll on its back). Accidental ingestion of a large amount of Stronghold may cause vomiting. diarrheaIgnoring such obvious symptoms can lead to blindness and even sudden death.

If Stronghold tick treatment for dogs was only applied externally, then if the animal's behavior changes, rinse the withers with running water. If you suspect the animal has ingested some of the product, induce vomiting (sprinkle a small amount of salt on the back of the tongue or give the dog a weak solution of potassium permanganate). Before taking the animal to the veterinarian, you can give the animal a few tablets of activated charcoal. At the hospital, the animal will undergo a gastric lavage and receive antihistamines (if the unpleasant symptoms were caused by an individual intolerance).

Selamectin is a fairly dangerous insecticide, so after veterinary treatment, considerable effort will be required to restore your pet's health. First, you'll need to provide your dog with plenty of fresh water (sometimes with the addition of sorbents).

This therapy will prevent insecticide residue from accumulating in the liver. Dogs with coordination issues will require assistance from their owner to perform simple daily tasks. If the dog is unable to even stand up to urinate, special diapers should be purchased. Avoid administering any medications or chemicals to the animal for a month after the poisoning.

Real reviews

Victoria, 32 years old:

"I was planning a trip with my pet (a miniature Spitz) to my grandmother's in the countryside. Since she's constantly outdoors and in contact with other dogs, I decided to treat her for literally everything. It turns out the only product that fights fleas, ticks, and worms is Stronghold. At first, the price seemed prohibitive, but if you buy three separate products, it's unlikely to be cheaper. It's been a month and a half since the treatment, and my Spitz's feces and fur are completely clean. So, I definitely recommend this product!"

Galina, 26 years old:

"I adopted a puppy from the street. To avoid having to treat him with various products, I decided to buy Stronghold. I applied the drops without any problems (the puppy didn't resist). A few hours later, I noticed the animal was vomiting yellowish-white vomit and having seizures. Two or three hours later, his hind legs stopped working. While we were getting ready to take him to the vet, the poor thing died. Only later did I read online that these symptoms were the result of severe poisoning. That is, after using the drops, the puppy's liver and pancreas gradually failed. Stronghold is definitely very dangerous; I won't buy it again."

Karina, 40 years old:

"I couldn't cure my dog's ear mites for a long time. The vet recommended trying Stronghold. I read numerous reviews online about the side effects and hesitated for a long time. The rather high price of Stronghold drops for dogs also put me off. Finally, when pus started flowing from my pet's ear, I finally bought the medication. About a day after treating the withers, dry scabs formed in the ear. And within a couple of days, we completely forgot about the mites. The only thing I didn't like was that my dog ​​suffered from bloody diarrhea during those days. Therefore, I recommend using Stronghold only for treatment, not for monthly preventative treatment."

Read also:

• Tick ​​drops for dogs: which are the best?
• How to remove a tick from a dog at home
• Nobivac for dogs