Tick Control on Pets
Pets that go outside are constantly re-introducing ticks into your home. This deserves the same attention as personal protection.
A few things worth knowing from Cornell's veterinary school about how different product classes actually work:
- Permethrin-based topicals (K9 Advantix II, Vectra 3D) repel and prevent tick attachment. These are worth using if your dog is in heavy tick habitat regularly.
- Fipronil-based topicals (Frontline) do not repel or prevent attachment. They kill ticks after the tick has been on the dog for around 24 hours. You may still see ticks on a dog using Frontline.
- Oral isoxazolines (NexGard, Simparica, Credelio, Bravecto) also don't prevent attachment but have fast kill times. The FDA has noted a rare association with neurological side effects including tremors and seizures. If your dog has a seizure history, discuss this with your vet before using these.
- Seresto collar repels and kills ticks and can prevent attachment, but must be fitted snugly enough to maintain skin contact to work properly.
Many products safe for dogs are toxic to cats. K9 Advantix II specifically must not be used on cats or in households where cats groom dogs. Always check labels carefully and ask your vet.
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Checking Your Pet
Check your dog or cat the same way you check yourself: ears, between toes, around the collar line, under the tail, and along the belly. Run your hands slowly over the whole body, feeling for small bumps. A tick that's just started feeding can feel like a small grain of sand under the fur before it's visible.