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Flea protection and treatment options

What’s the best choice for protecting your pet from fleas? You’ve got options.

The flea’s life cycle requires a warm-blooded host, so the best starting point when trying to get rid of a flea infestation is to protect your pet. Various flea protections and treatments are available.1

  • Oral medications, like BRAVECTO® (fluralaner) Chews, are administered directly into your dog’s mouth.3
  • Topical Solutions, like BRAVECTO® (fluralaner topical solution) for Dogs and BRAVECTO® (fluralaner topical solution) for Cats are applied to your pet’s back and/or neck. 4, 5
  • Collars, such as the ACTIVYL® (deltamethrin) Protector Band can kill adult fleas and repel and kill ticks.6
  • Shampoos are applied and rinsed off when you give your pet a bath, just like regular shampoo. They kill adult fleas but they don’t provide prolonged protection. They’re only effective for a few days.1
  • Dips are applied to your pet’s fur and left to air dry (instead of being rinsed off like shampoo). Dips kill adult fleas, and sometimes also mites and ticks. They can provide protection for up to a week or two.1
  • Powders and sprays provide protection for a few days to weeks. They can kill both adult and immature fleas but have fallen out of favor because easier-to-use products have become available.1

REFERENCES:

  1. Blagburn BL, Dryden MW. Biology, treatment, and control of flea and tick infestations. Vet Clin N Am Small Anim. 2009;39(6):1173-1200.
  2. Ranjan, Sivaja et.al., A Single Topical Fluralaner Application to Cats and Dogs Controls Fleas for 12 Weeks in a Simulated Home Environment. Parasites & Vectors 2018 11:385
  3. BRAVECTO Chew for Dogs [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Merck Animal Health; 2014. 
  4. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Dogs [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ: Merck Animal Health; 2016.  
  5. BRAVECTO Topical Solution for Cats [prescribing information]. Madison, NJ, USA,
  6. ACTIVYL® Protector Band [product label], Madison, NJ, USA

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

BRAVECTO 1-MONTH (fluralaner) Chews: indicated for dogs 8 weeks of age and older. The most commonly reported adverse reactions include itching, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, elevated ALT, lethargy, and weight loss. BRAVECTO 1-MONTH (fluralaner) Chews is not effective against A. americanum in puppies less than 6 months of age. BRAVECTO (fluralaner) Chews: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, anorexia and pruritus. In some cases, adverse events have been reported following use in breeding females. BRAVECTO (fluralaner topical solution) for Dogs: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and moist dermatitis/rash. BRAVECTO (fluralaner topical solution) for Cats: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, itching, diarrhea, hair loss, decreased appetite, lethargy, and scabs/ulcerated lesions. BRAVECTO (fluralaner topical solution) for Cats is not effective against American dog ticks beyond 8 weeks of dosing. BRAVECTO PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin topical solution) for Cats: The most commonly reported adverse reactions include vomiting, hair loss, itching, diarrhea, lethargy, dry skin, elevated ALT, and hypersalivation. BRAVECTO PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin topical solution) has not been shown to be effective for 2 months in kittens less than 6 months of age. Use with caution in cats that are heartworm positive. The effectiveness of BRAVECTO PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin topical solution) to prevent heartworm disease after bathing or water immersion has not been evaluated.

BRAVECTO (fluralaner) has not been shown to be effective for 12-weeks’ duration in puppies or kittens less than 6 months of age. BRAVECTO (fluralaner) Chews and Topical Solution for dogs is not effective against the lone star tick beyond 8 weeks of dosing. BRAVECTO (fluralaner topical solution) for Dogs and Cats and BRAVECTO PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin topical solution) for cats are for topical use only. Avoid oral ingestion. The safety of BRAVECTO (fluralaner topical solution) for Cats and BRAVECTO PLUS (fluralaner and moxidectin topical solution) has not been established in breeding, pregnant, and lactating cats.

All BRAVECTO (fluralaner) products contain fluralaner, which is a member of the isoxazoline class.  This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, ataxia, and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Neurologic adverse reactions have been reported in cats receiving isoxazoline class drugs, even in cats without a history of neurologic disorders. Use with caution in cats with a history of neurologic disorders.

ACTIVYL® (deltamethrin) Protector Band

Do not use on puppies under 12 weeks. Consult a veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, aged, pregnant, medicated, or nursing animals. Sensitivities may occur after using ANY pesticide products for pets. If signs of sensitivity occur, remove collar and bathe your pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water. If signs continue, consult a veterinarian immediately.

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