Frontline for cats: one barrier against 8 skin parasites

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One of the common problems with cats is ectoparasites. Fleas, ticks, cheylitelas, otodexodes, lice eaters cause a lot of trouble for furry pets. In addition to the fact that these insects cause itching and dermatitis, they are often carriers of serious infectious diseases. Infection is facilitated by contact with stray animals. To protect your domestic cat from blood-sucking parasites, it is necessary to regularly use special flea products. Many of them have a wide spectrum of action. The drug Frontline is one of them.

Types of Frontline for cats

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Frontline for cats contains the substance fipronil, which is poisonous to fleas and ticks. Organic compounds are used as additional components: butylhydroxyanisole, ethanol, butylhydroxytoluene, excipient. Fipronil accumulates in the animal's skin (hair follicles, sebaceous glands, epidermis) and, when bitten, enters the parasite's body. The poison causes paralysis of the insect and its death.

After processing the animal, at least 24 hours must pass. This time is necessary for the uniform distribution of fipronil over the skin. The drug does not enter the cat’s blood or digestive tract. A sufficient concentration of the active substance remains in the pet’s body for up to 45-60 days. After this, re-processing is necessary.

The manufacturer of the drug Frontline is the French pharmaceutical company Merial. The insectoacaricidal agent is available in different forms: in the form of drops, spray. The choice of a suitable variety is determined by the degree of infection, the susceptibility of the organism and the purpose of treatment (treatment, prevention).

Drops Combo

Frontline Combo in drop form contains, in addition to fipronil, another active substance S-methoprene. The amount of these compounds is approximately the same - 9.8% and 8.8%, respectively. Frontline drops are a colorless, transparent solution with a pungent odor. Standard packaging volume is 0.5 ml. But in pet stores you can sometimes find a 0.67 ml package; 1.34 ml; 2.68 ml and 4.02 ml.

Frontline Combo acts on all stages of parasite development: adults, larvae, eggs

Drops Spot It

In terms of its organoleptic properties, Frontline Spot is reminiscent of Combo. This product is also colorless, transparent and has a slight specific odor. The liquid is in a pipette. Apply it to the animal's skin in places inaccessible to licking. There are different packaging available for sale: 0.5 ml; 0.67 ml; 1.34 ml; 2.68 ml and 4.02 ml. There is only one active ingredient – ​​fipronil, the share of which in the drug is 10%.

Spray

The aerosol form of the medicine is convenient for treating the entire surface of the animal against parasites. The bottles have different volumes: 100, 250 or 500 ml. With one press of the spray of the first dosage, 0.5 ml of the drug gets onto the fur. From a larger volume bottle, up to 1.5 ml of solution comes out with one press. These numbers are used to calculate the dose based on the weight of the pet. Frontline spray is convenient not only for treating a cat’s fur, but also its bedding and carpets.

Advantages and disadvantages of products

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The history of the use of the pharmaceutical drug in veterinary practice allows us to place Frontline for cats on a par with other known products against fleas and ticks. The ratio of pros and cons determines the feasibility of its use. The advantages of the drug are:

• Highly effective against several types of ectoparasites.
• Wide range of effects (acts on different stages of development).
• Prolonged period of activity of fipronil.
• Harmlessness of active ingredients for the pet itself.
• Can be used for kittens and pregnant cats.
• Convenient application of the product to the fur or skin of an animal.

Frontline Spot On, Combo and Spray have their drawbacks. So, the liquid product must be dosed strictly, based on the cat’s weight. If the amount of the drug is insufficient, the effect is not achieved. Exceeding the optimal dose may have a negative effect on your pet's health.

When spraying Frontline spray, it may come into contact with the cat's mucous membranes. This causes local irritation and redness. If such a nuisance occurs, the cat should immediately rinse its eyes and nose with running water. The pet cannot be petted or bathed for two days. The use of a toxic liquid requires strict adherence to hygiene rules (washing hands after handling).

Frontline has a characteristic unpleasant odor that not all cats like

Analogues of the drug

When choosing analogues of Frontaline, it is necessary to note the effectiveness, as well as the smallest number of side effects that occur when treating cats.

Potential analogues of Frontline are the following insectoacaricides:

• Advantix drops (Bayer, Germany);
• Bolfo spray (Bayer, Germany);
• Ultra Guard drops (Hartz, USA).

Before starting to use any type of antiparasitic medication, you should always consult with a veterinarian.

Indications for use

According to the instructions, Frontline for cats is used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. It helps get rid of many parasites and prevent infection by them. The use of drops and spray is justified for the following problems:

• Fleas;
• Ticks;
• lice eaters;
• Cheylitelas;
• Otodexodes;
• Lice.

For the treatment of otodectosis, only Frontline Spot On is acceptable.

How often can it be used

The active substance remains in the skin for several weeks. This determines the period of acaricidal and insecticidal action. Frontline protects against fleas for two months, and against ixodid ticks for one month. The frequency of use of Frontline may depend on the season. In the spring and summer, when tick activity peaks, the treatment is repeated monthly. In cold weather, it is enough to treat the animal once every seven to eight weeks.

Security measures

When applying the medication, it is necessary to adhere to the safety standards adopted for all pharmaceutical products for veterinary use. The set of measures consists of using rubber gloves, stopping smoking, eating and drinking water during treatment. At the end of the procedure, you must wash your hands thoroughly.

It is recommended not to allow the animal to come into contact with small children for 24 hours after treatment.

People prone to allergies, skin diseases, and respiratory diseases should not take part in the procedure for applying the drug. If the medication accidentally gets on the skin or in the eye, you should thoroughly wash the area of ​​contact as quickly as possible. Persons who are particularly sensitive to the substances contained in the medication should avoid tactile contact with the medication. If allergy symptoms appear, you should immediately seek help from a clinic, taking the instructions for the medication with you.

Empty medicine containers are prohibited from being used for household purposes. Pipettes should be disposed of immediately after use with other household waste.

Instructions for use Frontline

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The technique of using the drug depends on its form. Frontline drops are applied directly to the skin, spreading the fur. The areas where the product is dripped are located on the withers, between the shoulder blades along the spine. Spot application over the entire body is not allowed. One adult cat requires one Frontline Spot on or Combo pipette with a volume of 0.5 ml. If the pet's weight is less than 1 kg, then the dosage is adequately reduced.

For ear scabies, Frontline Spot He is dripped into both ears, 4-6 drops. After this, the auricle is covered and gently massaged at the base with your hand so that the drug is evenly distributed over the skin. The spray is sprayed over the entire surface of the wool from a distance of 10-15 cm. Then lightly rubbed in. Treatment against fleas and ticks is carried out with gloves on and the window open. The aerosol bottle is shaken before use.

When spraying the spray, it is important to ensure that the drug does not get into your pet’s eyes, mouth, or nose.

Storage conditions

Frontline must be kept in its original, undamaged packaging. Cat food and human food should not be stored nearby. Temperature range – from 0 to 25 degrees. It is necessary to provide protection from direct sunlight, heating devices or open fire. Strictly ensure that children do not have access to the place where the product is located. If the conditions are correctly met, then Frontline Spray is suitable for 2 years from the date printed on the packaging. Frontline Combo and Spot It are valid for 3 years. If the allotted period expires, use is prohibited and the product is thrown away.

Frontline drops for cats

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Contraindications

According to the instructions for use, Frontline for cats is a harmless drug if applied correctly. It has few contraindications. This is why anti-parasite drops and sprays are popular with many owners of fluffy cats. The main obstacle to the use of any form of Frontline (Spot On, Combo, spray) is individual intolerance. If your cat develops symptoms of allergies, irritation, or changes in behavior under the influence of the medication, you should show it to the veterinarian and change the drug.

It is recommended to use the drug with extreme caution for weakened or sick animals. There is another temporary contraindication – deworming. It is not advisable to combine two procedures in one day. At least 10 days must pass between them so that the body does not suffer from the single action of a large amount of toxic substances. This warning applies to any flea and tick product.

Is Frontline suitable for pregnant cats and kittens?

Fipronil and S-methoprene belong to the group of low-toxic substances. They do not penetrate the bloodstream, but accumulate only in the dermis. The drug does not have a teratogenic or mutagenic effect. Therefore, the product is allowed to be applied to the body of pregnant cats and kittens.

A very small kitten should be treated for fleas and ticks only if absolutely necessary. For example, if he was picked up on the street. If the cub is breastfed, then you should remember that traces of medicine from its fur can enter the body of the mother cat when licked. Therefore, it is worth assessing the feasibility of treating a baby with Frontline.

Prices for Frontline for cats and kittens

The cost of the drug is determined by the shape and size of the container. Fluctuations in price in different regions of the country and in different pharmacies are insignificant. One 0.5 ml Frontline Spot On pipette costs about 400-500 rubles. The price of the flea and tick drug Frontline Combo varies approximately within the same limits.

Frontline spray costs an order of magnitude more than drops. The price for a bottle with a minimum volume (100 ml) ranges from 1000 to 1300 rubles. A medium-packed drug (250 ml) costs 1500-1800 rubles. The most expensive is a large bottle (500 ml). Its price reaches 2600 rubles.

Is it worth paying more?

With all the hype and popularity of the drug, one should not forget what made it so powerful. Yes, yes, it's all about the active substance. In the drug "Frontline" it is fipronil, obtained quite recently. The essence of its action is that it affects the GABA channels of insects, interfering with the passage of chlorine ions. As a result, the pest's nervous system collapses and it dies. At the same time, it does not harm the mammal. According to official data and reviews, Frontline can cost from four hundred to one and a half thousand rubles, depending on the characteristics. But the prices for other drugs with the active ingredient fipronil are much more affordable: from one hundred rubles.

How to distinguish from a fake

Since the drug Frontline is a popular remedy and is often recommended by veterinarians, fakes are sometimes found in pet pharmacies. To protect yourself from a useless purchase, it is worth knowing the distinctive features of the original. These include:

1. A plastic container with drops is always packed in a sealed cardboard package;
2. The Frontline logo is printed directly onto the dropper itself;
3. The company name is printed on the packaging;
4. The batch number and production date are duplicated on the applicator and cardboard base;
5. Each copy is accompanied by a leaflet with detailed instructions for use;
6. There are no additional holograms or stickers on the packaging;
7. For Frontline spray and drops, the composition, concentration, and volume of the drug are indicated;

These external signs are classic. Merial periodically changes some design elements. The color of the packaging or the photo of the cat may change. Some blisters are marked “PCT”, which replaces the Soviet quality mark and means that the product meets the requirements of GOST certification.

Side effects, overdose

Scientific research has proven that even with a threefold overdose, no side effects are observed. However, in some cases, salivation may be present, which is a reaction to the filler that is part of the product (an alcohol solution is used as a filler).

Frontline spray usually does not cause side effects, but if you are hypersensitive to the components of the drug and signs that accompany allergic reactions are detected, further treatment should be stopped and the applied drug should be washed off with water. If necessary, animals are prescribed antihistamines.