How do squeeze on flea treatments work

Bravecto Hold the tube upright and turn the cap one full turn. Remove the cap and make sure that seal has been broken. Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply the entire tube to the skin.

Make sure the tube is empty. Advantage Multi Hold the tube upright and remove the cap. Flip the cap upside down and push the tip into the top of the tube. Twist the cap to break the seal, and then remove the cap. Your Flea Medication Has Become Ineffective While you can reapply flea treatment early in some cases, you should talk to your veterinarian to find the best and most effective flea treatment for your pet.

Featured Image: iStock. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful? Flea protection is an essential part of pet parenting—and one of the most popular ways to do it is spot-on flea treatment. But what exactly is this stuff? How does it work, and how do you use it? Spot-on flea treatments are medicinal liquids that protect your pet from blood-hungry parasites like fleas and ticks, says Dr.

Sarah Wooten, DVM. One dose generally keeps a pet safe from fleas and ticks for one month, Dr. Wooten says, but will need to be applied more often if your pet swims or is bathed often. Crudington says. Larger animals, however, may require a larger dose applied to several spots along the back, Dr. Wooten says. Follow the directions on the package, and consult a veterinarian with any questions. After all, Dr. It will also be easier to apply the treatment properly if your pet is calm and still.

As these ectoparasites evolve to resist our methods of combatting them, new products are continuously developed. But how exactly do topical drops, collars, sprays, powders and shampoos control flea and ticks on our cats or dogs? Aside from posing a nuisance, fleas and ticks have the potential to transmit numerous types of diseases to both animals and people. To reduce putting your pet and your family at risk, use medicated drops, collars, powders, shampoos or sprays to keep pesky parasites at bay.

Remember to only use these products as instructed, and consult your veterinarian if your cat or dog experiences any adverse reactions. These products come in the form of vials that contains agents which protect your pet for 30 continuous days. They work by killing fleas and ticks and sometimes mosquitos, depending on the product by depositing chemicals into the sebaceous glands, where the active ingredient is released and translocates through the glands that lubricate a cat or dogs coat with oil.

When applied, the compound quickly translocates across the skin. Some flea and tick drops also contain an insect growth regulator IGR to control eggs that may have survived during the initial dosing. Dinotefuran is a chemical that kills insects on contact. It kills all stages of the flea life cycle by interfering with nerve signal conduction. Lufenuron is an oral product, meaning that it is ingested by the animal, rather than applied to the outer body as with the above examples.

Any larvae produced by these adults will not have the ability to produce an exoskeleton, causing them to die. It will not kill adult fleas, however, so another chemical will be needed to control home infestations. Spinosad kills adult fleas only and is approved for oral use only in dogs. The active chemical is found in bacteria living in the soil.

It should be used carefully in animals with epilepsy. Nitenpyram is an oral flea control product that is approved for use in both cats and dogs. It works by blocking nerve receptors in the insect, killing adult fleas on the animal in about 30 minutes. It does not have a long-term effect, so it cannot be used for continuous flea control. This product is good for short-term trips to areas where fleas might be present -- such as dog parks, shows, trials, or boarding kennels.

Remember that drugs are never without risk. Whichever product or products you choose to use for parasite control, be sure to read the label carefully and get advice from your veterinarian if your animal is very young or old, is sick, or is debilitated. Home Dog Care Center.