February 22, 2012
Posted in Flea & Tick Preventatives

When it comes to flea and tick preventative pet drugs, the sky is the limit. Nowadays, you can protect your pet using collars, pills and topical medication. These different versions work to achieve the same end goal  – no fleas or ticks on your pets. However, if you choose a topical medication, you should be careful that the product is applied properly and not ingested by your pooch.

In many cases, applying topical medications such as Frontline, Pet Armor or Revolution will effectively prevent ticks and fleas from attacking your dog or cat. Apply the liquid between the animal's shoulders and behind the neck – areas where the pet would have trouble licking. However, for animals with sensitive skin, these products can sometimes cause irritation or other skin woes, even if the animal didn't ingest any of the medication.

If you try to give your dog this type of medication and you notice it is itching, scratching or biting itself near the site, you should bring the animal to the vet's office where it can be checked out. Some dogs or cats can be allergic to both the active and inert ingredients found in the preventatives which can cause the uncomfortable reaction. If the vet notices that the cause for the itching is due to an allergic reaction, he or she will most likely prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication such as Metacam to ease the itching. The vet might also suggest that you give the dog a bath with soothing pet shampoo like Epi-Soothe Shampoo that is made of natural oats and aloe, ingredients known to heal and ease skin discomfort.

Although you might have to stop giving your pet topical medication, it doesn't mean you should refrain from giving it any tick or flea preventative medicine. Instead, you should try either an oral drug like Sentinel, which is a chewable tablet given once a month. Pet owners with dogs that have severely sensitive skin might also benefit from trying herbal flea and tick options such as Be Flea Free Shampoo which contains natural preventative ingredients like rosemary, peppermint and clove to deter infestations. In the end it's only important that you find pet products that will work to keep your pets safe from harmful fleas and ticks as these bugs can lead to serious medical conditions in your pet if left to fester.

Related posts:

1. Bountiful benefits of flea and tick preventative pet drugs
2. What to do when your flea medication fails
3. How do flea medications work?
4. Why aren’t my dog’s flea pet drugs working?
5. Non-Prescription Dog Flea Meds