Choosing the Right Pet Medications

June 15, 2010

Protecting your animal’s health is one of the primary responsibilities of a conscientious pet owner. Heartworm, Lyme disease, and other infections can make your dog sick, but finding the right pet meds will keep your dog safe and healthy. In most case, manufacturers sell products based on pet weight, so make sure you follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer when you buy pet meds.

To ward off heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms, you can select one of several available products. Medicines like Interceptor, Iverhart Max, and HeartGard Plus interfere with the parasite’s nerve transmission, which succeeds in eliminating them. Sentinel, another option, guards against heartworms, adult hookworms, adult roundworms, and whipworms, as well as stopping flea infestations by interrupting the egg development. Your dog will take one flavored tablet each month throughout the year to stay protected.

For flea and tick control, consider medications like Frontline Plus, Advantage, and K-9 Advantix. Frontline Plus, which contains two different pesticides, successfully gets rid of fleas, ticks, and lice within 18 to 48 hours of treatment. Advantage will eradicate fleas and lice, but it does not work on ticks. Effective for fleas, ticks, lice, and mosquitoes, K-9 Advantix has two pesticides, but they are stronger than the ones used in Frontline Plus. With K-9 Advantix, children must avoid your pet for several days after treatment, and you must keep the medication away from any cats because it is fatal for felines. Applied topically, these pet products shield your animal for a month at a time.

Most of the time, pet meds are safe for puppies and dogs over eight weeks old. After giving your pet any medication, watch for signs of an adverse reaction, including irritation at the site of application, lethargy, swelling, or anything out of the ordinary. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms.

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