With the beginning of spring it is a must to plan a protection against fleas, This purely informative article wants to focus attention on Fipronil’s use and abuse and on the possible less harmful alternatives for our cat.

Alternative treatment Fipronil

We already had added the Fleas and natural treatments article (some remedies for the dog and the do-it-yourself flea trap); Now with this article we enter into the detail!

Fipronil is an external anti-parasitic medication against fleas, lice, ticks for dogs and cats.  It is available as a spray preparation or spot-on and it is applied directly onto the skin, in accordance with the animal body weight. It Is sold in different concentrations

Precautions during application

• Wear gloves (avoid contact with skin, in case of accidental contact wash immediately with soap and water)
• Apply Fipronil only onto intact skin
• Leave on the cat the Elizabethan collar (E-Collar) for at least 2 hours after application, the cat must not lick him/herself
• Apply the Fipronil when the cat is quiet or sleeps to prevent applications in different area than that recommended
• Be careful if there are other animals living with the cat
• Attention do not apply the spot-on, when to the cat is administered pharmacologic therapy through injections in the same area (scruff of the neck) or hypodermoclysis
• Do not use on puppies before eighth week of life, and on underweight ones (less than 2 kg)
• Use under strict veterinary supervision in the presence of acute or chronic diseases

Alternative treatment Fipronil

Contraindications and side effects

• Transient cutaneous reactions at the application site
• Skin discoloration
• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Skin rash or itch
• Neurological disorders (hypersensitivity, depression, lack of coordination)
• Vomit
• Breathing problems
• Elevated cholesterol
• Reduced birth weight

Prolonged use over the years may favor liver damage, kidney disease, thyroid disease, lung tumor

Common sense as usual!

How to protect our cat from fleas?

Foreword:

Fleas are a very serious problem, leading to many severe diseases, often not immediately detectable such as: dermatitis, tapeworms, Mycoplasma haemofelis (ex. Haemobartonella felis); therefore it is necessary to properly evaluate the pros and cons before using chemical or natural products

Does the cat live in a risky area?

1. Does he live in an apartment?

2. Does he live with other cats?

3. Does he have kidneys or liver disorders?

The answers let us choose to use chemical or alternative anti-parasite, or both!

If the cat exclusively lives in the apartment and we just want to protect him during summer, we can apply:

From May to August 1 vial of fipronil divided in two applications, observing three weeks between an application and another, or divide a vial for 2 cats.

In addition it is useful to protect the cat weekly using a natural product.

Finally, from September to January administer oral supplements helps detoxify and strengthen: liver, kidneys and skin.

These informations represent only my personal experience, whatever your choice, it should be evaluated with your veterinarian.

Alternative treatment Fipronil

THE CONTENT ON THIS WEBSITE IS TO BE USED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE CONTENT IS IN NO CASE TO BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR ADVICE FROM VETERINARIANS, NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE RELIED UPON BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FOR PURPOSES OF MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT . IN NO CASE CAN BE USED AS A PRESCRIPTION OF A TREATMENT OR REPLACE A SPECIALIST EXAMINATION OR THE DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN/DOCTOR