Off the cuff

MIGHT be a bit of both. Generally, this means you can walk into a shop, pick something out and buy it. Which means you take full responsibility for its use.

For this bit, we will concentrate on external parasite control in cats and dogs — flea and tick control.

First, know the difference between a brand name and the drug name. For example, FRONTLINE® is a brand name for the drug ‘fipronil’. Another brand name of this same drug is Pestigon. Generally, the reason to pick one brand over another of the same drug is cost. There are some examples of generic products not being as good as the original brand name product. Generally, the company who produced the brand name product went through all the testing – all the proving that the drug did what it said it was going to, and without harm – and the costs associated with that testing. The companies who make the generic equivalent are unlikely to have the same intense requirements and can sell it cheaper.

How do we know fipronil in one brand has the same effect as another brand. Simply by trying it.

How do we know fipronil by any brand name kills fleas and ticks and other external parasites. Simply by trying it.

Make sure you give it a chance … whichever product you use…use it to its best advantage to achieve the results you want.

First, know your external parasites. What is the difference between a flea, a tick, a louse and a mite. If you don’t know what enemy you are fighting, you won’t know if you are winning the battle. Your veterinarian is your best source of this information.

Next, what products are out there. If it is an oral product, then make sure they take it, swallow it and don’t spit it out somewhere. If it is a topical (placed on the skin) there are a few guidelines which should help. If it does not get into the cat or dog system then it cannot work. Think carefully before deciding a product has not worked, again useful to discuss with your veterinarian.

Topical products in particular pose problems.

The liquid must be placed on the skin, not the hair coat.

It must be placed in