Stronghold for cats: composition, application, reviews of the drug

Release form, composition of Stronghold

Stronghold, a drug, is marketed in the United States by Pfizer Animal Health as a clear, sometimes yellowish solution (drops). This substance is characterized by a dual effect, replacing two independent medications. Helps cure tailed pets from internal and external parasites. Its action is fatal to the larvae of these insects. This product not only destroys harmful individuals, but also protects the cat from recurrence of parasite infection (reinfestation) for at least a month from the date of treatment.

The active substance in Stronghold is selamectin. Its content in the solution is 6 or 12%. The component, called selamectin, is an antiparasitic agent and has a wide range of applications. This substance affects harmful insects, nematodes (roundworms), and subcutaneous mites that parasitize cats. Isopropyl alcohol and dipropylene glycol are added as additives to medications.

A solution containing 6% selamectin is produced in the form of disposable pipettes made of polymeric materials with a volume of 0.25 ml, weighing 15 mg or a capacity of 0.75 ml, weighing 45 mg. The drug, containing 12% of the active ingredient, is produced in the form of polymer pipettes containing 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 ml of the drug. The dosage of the medicinal solution is determined by the weight of the cat. The blister pack consists of 3 (6) pipettes. The pipettes indicate the name of the drug, the amount of the active component, its volume, expiration date, and serial number.

Stronghold pack of three pipettes

The same data is duplicated on blisters, which are located in cardboard boxes. The pipettes and packaging are the same colors. The packaging, in addition to the information indicated above, contains information regarding the manufacturer, his address, storage conditions of the substance, method of its use, and an inscription indicating that the drug is used for animals.

This product can be used to treat animal fur, as well as apply the solution to surrounding objects, likely flea habitats. This medicine does not contain oil, so it does not leave any residue.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the drug include:

• quick drying (the drops contain no oil, so the solution dries quickly without leaving any traces);
• cleanliness (after the drops there is no need to go after the cat and wipe everything he touched - the dried liquid does not stain furniture, carpets, etc.);
• possibility of contact with the cat (after 2 hours the cat can be stroked and picked up);
• absence of a chemical odor (there is a slight specific odor from the drug, but it cannot be called unpleasant);
• effectiveness (selamectin acts quickly - usually within 24 hours the parasites leave the treated pet);
• single use (no course treatment required);
• convenient dosage (no need to measure or weigh the drug);
• Pregnant and lactating cats can be treated.

However, despite the manufacturer’s promises, some cat breeders still found disadvantages in this medicine:

• liquid (the solution may spread and wet the fur, which increases the risk that the cat will reach the drug with its tongue);
• price (the drug is more expensive than most similar drugs);
• deficiency (although Stronghold is sold in ordinary stores, it is not always possible to find it in the required dosage);
• side effect (even a small bald spot on a cat after using the medicine can upset a caring owner).

The ability to use Stronghold to treat pregnant cats is a plus

How do the drops work?

The receptors (nerve endings) of the tissue cells of nematodes, arthropods and the selamectin contained in the solution used come into contact with each other, which causes the parasites to block neuromuscular impulses. All this ends in paralysis of the respiratory system and the inevitable death of harmful living organisms. Stronghold drops, which have a wide field of action, are very effective for destroying all kinds of harmful insects living on pets. The main component of the drug, selamectin, penetrates perfectly into the cat’s body and then remains in it for a long time. The active substance contained in the solution is completely absorbed by the animal’s body within 24 hours. Death of adult individuals occurs after 24–28 hours. after applying the solution. The versatile action of the medicine allows not only to eliminate harmful insects in the animal’s body, but also prevents the recurrence of the infestation for about 30 days. If you follow the dosage indicated on the product insert, it will not pose a danger to the cat.

When is the drug indicated?

Before using such a medicine, it is necessary to study in what cases it is used. According to veterinarians, the indications for its use are as follows:

• as a means of prevention and protection against various insect parasites: fleas, ticks, lice eaters;
• to eliminate ectoparasites: insects, arachnids living on the body or external organs of the cat;
• during the prevention, treatment of an illness caused by otodectosis, known as ear scabies, ear mites;
• when carrying out deworming during hookworm infection, toxocariasis;
• restoration of the cat's body after disease with sarcoptic mange, otodectosis, caused by ticks;
• flea dermatitis.

To apply the Stronghold antiparasitic solution, use it exclusively externally. Tips for using the solution:

• It is recommended to use drops every month;
• must be used for cats or cats whose age is more than 1.5 months;
• use the medicine for animals weighing more than 2.5 kg;
• purchase as prescribed by a veterinarian;
• if you suspect any side effects, consult a doctor;
• The volume of the drug for treatment is determined by the veterinarian; the dose used is affected by the weight of the animal.

External and internal parasites cause anxiety for cats

Use for kittens, pregnant cats

This medicine is used as a therapeutic agent for young, old, and weakened felines. However, it is strictly contraindicated to treat kittens that have not yet reached the age of 6 weeks with this drug. Their body can be seriously harmed by this. For ticks, for example, wormwood oil is used for kittens, which repels blood-sucking insects from babies. This product is distributed in drops into the corners of the place where the kittens are located.

Stronghold for kittens will rid them of small insects

As for pregnant or lactating cats with infestation (insect infestation), there are no restrictions on the use of drops in the treatment of such animals. No negative effects were noticed even with an overdose of the drug. It should be remembered that in such cases, treatment of ailments and preventive measures are carried out under the supervision of a specialist.

Additional Information

Stronghold is a nearly colorless, yellowish liquid medication that is applied topically to the skin of a cat's withers once a month. Contains the active ingredient selamectin, which is an insecticide. Available in disposable plastic packaging in the form of pipettes containing one dose of the drug. Manufactured by Pfizer Ltd. The pipettes are placed in foil blister packs and each pack contains 3 pieces. Available in packs of 6 pipettes. Pipettes come in different sizes, allowing you to choose the appropriate dosage for cats and dogs of different weights.

• Roundworms: treated with one dose of the drug.
• Nematodes: treated with one dose of the drug.
• Lice: Apply one dose of Stronghold.
• Sarcoptic mange (scabies): treated for 2 months, one dose for 30 days.
• Ear mites: One dose for cats; dogs may need an additional dose after 30 days.

Stronghold can be used in the treatment of animals older than 6 weeks, including pregnant and lactating animals.

Occasionally, mild and temporary hair loss may be noticed at the site of Stronghold application, and if the animal licks Stronghold, increased drooling may occur.

Stronghold is highly flammable, you should keep your pet away from fire for 30 minutes after application or until the coat is dry.

The product may leave a white powder on the coat after application, but this should disappear within 24 hours.

How to use the drug correctly

There are no difficulties in how to use the product correctly. The packaging contains instructions regarding the use of this substance. It is better to use hand gloves for the processing procedure. Work begins by removing the pipette with the solution from the blister and holding it vertically. Next, you need to press the cap to make a hole in the foil covering the pipette hole. The lid is no longer needed; it is removed. After this, the fur (dry) on the animal’s withers is parted and carefully, in accordance with the dosage prescribed by the veterinarian, the entire solution is squeezed out from the pipette, trying not to get it on your hands. It is not recommended to massage this area. The dosage of the drug is carried out individually for each cat. The veterinarian chooses the dose of the substance depending on the physical condition of the animal and its weight. Basically, the dosage with an active substance concentration of 6% is:

Table; dosage of the drug depending on the weight of the cat

According to the doctors’ prescription and the table, for pets less than 1.5 months old or weighing less than 2.5 kg, 15 mg of the drug is used, while for a cat weighing 7.5–10 kg, 2 pipettes are used at once, one of which is purple with a cap, the other with a blue cap. You should not self-medicate, since the incorrect use of any medication can have negative consequences.

Video: applying Stronghold drops

Flea drops

Application of the drug allows you to destroy both adult insects and the eggs they lay, so relapses are not observed. Treatment is carried out once every 30 days.

Protection against worms

In case of toxocariasis, the medicine is applied to the withers once. To be sure of the final elimination of helminths, it is a good idea to submit feces to a veterinary clinic for examination.

Destruction of ticks

Ticks are controlled by applying the product twice. Treatment should be carried out in spring and summer, when infection is possible. There should be a gap of at least 30 days between treatments.

Use of Stronghold for prevention

The medicine is used for preventive purposes to protect against dirofilariasis, a disease that occurs due to infection with the most dangerous helminths - heartworms. For this purpose, drops are used once a season. This should be done during the peak aggressiveness of mosquitoes that serve as carriers of the disease. When an animal is intended to be taken on a trip to a region where such a disease exists, Stronghold is applied 30 days before the trip.

For ear scabies

In a situation with otodectosis, the drug is used once. The ears are first cleaned of scabs and husks. Free the ear canal from excess wax using cotton swabs soaked in hydrogen peroxide. The medicine itself is not instilled inside, but applied externally near the ear canal. If otodectosis occurs with complications (otitis), then additional medications are prescribed that are effective against inflammation and microbes. If necessary, the course of treatment can be repeated after a month.

Indications for use

Stronghold is a multifunctional drug, but this does not mean that this remedy is effective against all diseases. It is effective only for a number of parasitic diseases such as:

• toxocariasis (caused by Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati);
• the presence of fleas, lice, lice (treatment and prevention);
• hookworm (helminthiasis, parasite - Ancylostoma braziliens);
• otodectosis (ear mites);
• dirofilariasis (prevention);
• flea dermatitis (complex treatment of flea allergy);
• sarcoptic mange (skin disease caused by mites of the genus Sarcoptes).

Stronghold is also effective for preventing re-infestations.

My neighbor has an old Persian cat. He is not weak, but she is still afraid that the pet will suffer if he “catch” fleas. She doesn’t believe in the effectiveness of collars, and the sprays can cause her husband to have an asthma attack. Therefore, with each arrival of spring, she takes the cat to the veterinary clinic. For several seasons, the veterinarian has prescribed Stronghold drops. The neighbor is happy, the cat is flea-free.

Photo gallery: parasites that can be gotten rid of with Stronghold

Ancylostoma is a worm that parasitizes the mucous membrane of the small intestine (the helminth leaves bleeding wounds on the soft tissues, this leads to anemia)

Fleas and lice eaters cause severe itching, a cat can scratch its skin until it bleeds (this can lead to infection with another disease), and sometimes an allergy to fleas occurs

Heartworm is a nematode helminth that causes deadly helminthiasis (symptoms: cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, heart murmur, swelling of the paws or eyelids, lacrimation)

Toxocara is a helminth (the main symptoms of infection are strange manifestations of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, cough)

Ear mites cause ear scabies - otodectosis (main symptoms: inflammation and irritation in the ear canal, itching, excessive secretion of wax)

Operating principle

Selamectin, which is part of the drug, can bind to the receptors of muscle and nerve cells of parasites. In essence, this is a slight poisoning of living cells of ticks and helminths. Nematodes and arthropods bite animal tissue and become paralyzed. Some of them die, while others are unable to adhere to the animal’s tissue, become detached and removed from the body. Surviving fleas and ticks lose the ability to bite into the skin and hold on with their paws (and jaws).

Stronghold's point is that in cats these receptors are located in the central nervous system, and selamectin cannot reach it. Therefore, this drug is destructive to parasites and harmless to cats. The active substance remains in the blood for a long time in the required therapeutic concentration, this helps protect against new parasites and re-invasion by helminths.

Stronghold also kills roundworm larvae. It does not affect adult heartworms. But selamectin reduces the number of microfilariae that circulate in the blood of an infected cat.

Stronghold kills insects, arthropods, helminth larvae and some nematodes

Contraindications, side effects

This medicine has virtually no contraindications. There is no need to use drops in the following situations:

• if there is individual intolerance. allergic reaction to the components included in its composition;
• kittens less than 1.5 months old;
• sick animals with infectious diseases;
• convalescent cats.

This drug is not injected into the body. Treatment of otodectosis should not be accompanied by instillation of a substance into the ear canal. Stronghold is also not applied to a cat's wet fur. Upon completion of the medication application procedure, it is necessary to protect the treated animal from direct contact with high-temperature heating devices until the fur is completely dry. There are no side effects as a result of using Stronghold if you follow the recommendations of your veterinarian.

Precautionary measures

You are not allowed to smoke, eat or drink during the procedure. It is recommended to use rubber gloves when treating your cat, and after finishing the procedure, wash your hands with warm water and soap. If the product gets on the human body, wash the problem area as quickly as possible with warm water and soap.

Do not use medicine pipettes at home. After the procedure, they must be disposed of.

Within 2 hours after using the drug, contact with pets, especially children, is not allowed. You cannot kiss, stroke or hug the cat until the specified time has expired. After applying the drops, the cat is not allowed to be near heating devices until the skin is completely dry.

Cost, analogues of the drug

The price of Stronghold is affected by the weight of the cat and the required volume of drops. For a bottle of 15 mg you need to pay approximately 230 rubles, for 30 mg - 300 rubles. The cost also depends on the pricing policy of the pharmacy and its location. You can replace this drug with analogues, which can be seen from the table.

Table: Stronghold analogues

Both analogues, like Stronghold itself, are aimed at destroying internal and external parasites.

Advantage is effective in the fight against parasites

Reviews from veterinarians

Stronghold on the withers will rid your cat of fleas and ear mites. You just need to treat all available animals.

Ekaterina Mendoza-Kuznetsova

https://www.bkvet.ru/forum/printthread.php?t=279&pp=40&page=6

Stronghold is only effective against roundworms. You can combine the use of various anthelmintics with Stronghold, using the latter as a flea drug.

M. L. Soloshek

https://www.zoovet.ru/forum/?tid=7&tem=817300