Choosing your dog's pest control: the buying guide - Toutoupourlechien

What is an external parasiticide?

What's the point?

External parasiticides are used to fight against the infestation of dogs by external parasites. External parasites, as opposed to internal parasites such as intestinal worms, are parasites that stay on the body surface of their host, sometimes taking up residence on their coat.

External parasiticides thus help to fight against the bites of insects such as fleas, lice, sandflies and mosquitoes and those of mites such as ticks or chiggers.

Beyond avoiding the inconvenience associated with the bite itself, the interest of these products is above all to protect the dog against the many diseases, sometimes incurable, that these parasites can transmit.

How do they act?

Pest control products can act in 5 ways on the parasite:

• by repellent effect: the antiparasitic product prevents the parasite from approaching the dog, by acting directly on the legs of the parasite or by stimulating its olfactory receptors,
• by shock effect: the pest control product acts on the nervous system of the insect or mite by paralyzing it, which causes it to fall to the ground,
• by lethal effect: the pest control product kills the parasite,
• by anti-gorgement effect: the product prevents the parasite from being bitten,
• by sterilizing effect: the product prevents the eggs and larvae of the parasite from giving rise to the adult stages of the parasite. They thus make it possible to remove the parasite from the dog's environment.

These effects can be exerted externally or systemically. In the first case, the molecules of the pest control product do not enter the dog's body and act on the surface. In the second, the molecules pass through the animal's blood and reach the insect or mite when they feed on the dog's blood, during a bite.

How do they introduce themselves?

There are different galenic forms of external parasiticide products on the market, including:

• pipettes (also called spot-on), with systemic and/or surface action,
• tablets, antiparasitics that are administered to dogs orally and which act systemically,
• collars that exert a surface pest control action,
• topicals such as sprays, external powders or even antiparasitic shampoos.

Where to find them?

Antiparasitic speci alties, which contain active ingredients subject to regulation, are generally veterinary drugs that only pharmacists and veterinarians are authorized to dispense on prescription.

But there are external antiparasitic products for dogs and cats that derogate from this regulation and are available over the counter, without a prescription. Pest control collars and pipettes can thus be found on the shelves of supermarkets and pet stores, in physical stores or in online stores such as Vetocanis, for example.

Although these products are available over the counter, they should however be used wisely, respecting a few precautions and ensuring that they meet the dog's needs.

What are the criteria for choosing an external parasiticide for your dog?

If you want to protect your pet from possible infestation by using a pest control product for preventive purposes, you will need to ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you make the right choice of product.

What parasites do you want to protect your dog against?

There is no point in applying an effective pest control product against parasites to which your dog is not exposed. Conversely, it would be inappropriate to choose a pest control that does not target the parasites to which your dog is exposed on a daily basis.

Thus, the first thing to do is to know the parasites that are rampant in your area and to which your dog is exposed in order to choose the product best suited to the parasitic risk incurred by your dog.

Also remember to reassess this risk when you change regions with your dog, during summer holidays for example.If you are going to the South of France with your animal, it will be useful to choose a product that is effective against the sandflies and mosquitoes which are rampant in this region and which can transmit leishmaniasis and heartworm disease to your animal.

Is the product suitable for your dog's particular case?

Before choosing a pest control product for your dog, make sure that the product is well suited to the species and breed of your animal, its age, weight and physiological state (bitch pregnant or breastfeeding).

In summary, make sure that the product has no contraindications for use in your animal. This information generally appears on the product packaging, which should be read carefully before purchase.

Dogs of sensitive breeds: beware!

The Collie, Australian Shepherd, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, White Swiss Shepherd, Border Collie, Longhaired and Shorthaired Collie, German Shepherd, Bobtail and some greyhounds may have a genetic mutation that makes them sensitive to certain drug molecules, including antiparasitic molecules.In these dogs even more than in others, the use of an unsuitable antiparasitic product can be fatal, so it is advisable to always seek the advice of a veterinarian before any administration.

Also, make sure the product is not toxic to other species of animals in the home such as cats and rabbits. Some antiparasitic active ingredients may be poorly tolerated or even toxic for other species. In fact, if several species of animals coexist within the same household, it is better to favor a product that is not toxic for all the animals in the house.

Which shape to choose?

Finally, choose the galenic form of the product best suited to your situation by weighing the pros and cons of each of them.

Necklaces

The most	Least
They are very easy to use. They are suitable for long-lasting protection, up to 8 months for some collars.	They can be easily lost or torn off in dogs. They may cause contact skin allergies in some sensitive dogs. They can be licked by other animals or handled by young children (risk of poisoning).

Spot-on pipettes

The application is relatively easy.

The most	Least
	Their application can be tricky on dogs with long hair. They require several points of application on large dogs, even several pipettes. There is a risk of poisoning for animals or children.

The tablets

The most	Least
They are more suitable for animals that bathe often. They are best suited for pets with skin allergies to pest control products. They leave no residue on the skin, which is useful if there are several animals in the household or young children.	Their administration can be complicated in dogs who are reluctant to swallow them.

Sprays

The most	Least
They are effective in locally and quickly treating an infestation.	They have little persistence, their action must be relayed by other forms of pest control. The noise of the spray can scare reactive dogs.

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