If you are a dog owner, you will be aware of the importance of using flea and tick treatments. Fleas and ticks can have a negative impact on your dogs skins and health. Infestations can be at best uncomfortable and at worse painful and get infected. One of the recommended treatments is Simparica for dogs. Your dog will be flea-free for a long time after you start using Simparica.
Introducing Simparica for Dogs
Simparica is applied on dogs at the onset of flea season. This helps to control existing fleas and also prevents further infestations from taking place. In addition, it can help to kill ticks as well. The best part is that Simparica is waterproof, so your dog can bathe or swim without having to worry about losing its flea/tick defense.
Product Overview
Simparica is a tablet that contains the active ingredient sarolaner. When it comes into contact with an insect’s nerve receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), it prevents a chemical called acetylcholine from functioning normally. This is why the insect stops moving and dies within a short period of time.
This medication is used to kill adult fleas, ticks and chewing lice. It will also prevent future infestations of these parasites in your dog for up to 3 months after application.
This drug is available in four dosage strengths. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you which strength is best for your dog, depending on its body weight.
What to Expect
The first application of Simparica should be done at the onset of flea season. It will begin working within a few hours, and continue to repel fleas and ticks for about 3 months after application.
If you adopt an adult dog that has already gotten infested with fleas or ticks, you can start using Simparica as soon as you bring it home. This will help prevent infestations from occurring again in the future. The drug will also kill any fleas or ticks that are currently on your dog’s body, but it is not a quick-acting medication.
The most common side effect is nausea, so it is best to give your dog the Simparica tablet in its food. If it does vomit, however, don’t panic because this is only a temporary side effect.
However, if your dog continues to throw up or develop diarrhea later on, please talk to your veterinarian as soon as possible. The most common reason behind these issues is that the animal ate something while you were not looking.
If you are not sure of any substance that your dog has been exposed to, however, then it is best to contact the veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment options.
Safety Information
Simparica contains sarolaner in its active ingredient. This chemical is considered safe for your pet and it will not affect their health in any way.
According to the manufacturer’s website, however, Simparica should not be used in puppies that are 3 months old or younger. Also note that this drug has not been tested on pregnant animals so it is best to keep it away from animals that are in their last trimester.
Also, if you notice severe side effects after using this medication, please contact your veterinarian right away. The most common ones include vomiting and diarrhea, so you have nothing to worry about. However, these symptoms should disappear within a day or two after treatment.
However, if you’re still concerned about your pet’s health, contact your veterinarian right away.
Simparica Cost
The Simparica for Dogs cost ranges from $45 to $80 per pack. It all depends on which dosage you need and where you are getting it from. You can get this medication from your vet or order online direct from Merck Animal Health. The price ranges from $45 to $80 per pack, which will last up to 3 months depending on the dosage.
Tiny and Medium dogs weighing less than 15 pounds should have the 6-mg dose. This is best for puppies that are not yet 11 weeks old. It also works well for animals that do not weigh more than 15 pounds.
Small dogs that are between 15 and 30 pounds should have the 12-mg dose. It is also appropriate for puppies that are 11 weeks old up to 6 months old, or animals whose size ranges from 15 to 30 pounds.
Medium Dogs weighing between 31 to 55 pounds should have the 25-mg dosage. Large dogs that weigh between 56 and 85 pounds should have the 40-mg dose. Lastly, extra large dogs that are over 86 pounds need to receive the 80-mg dose.
Maximizing Your Dog’s Response to Simparica
The best way to maximize your dog’s response to this medication is by giving it with a meal. You can even mix it with a little bit of dog food. If the animal refuses to eat, however, you can place it in some peanut butter and cover it with that instead.
This should make your dog more interested in its meal, so you can easily administer the medication through oral administration. Be sure to arrange another feeding time that’s far away from the Simparica administration.
If you have to give your dog a pill, however, there are some tips that you can follow to make this easier. You can do the following:
1. Give it at least two hours after its last meal.
2. Put it in a small piece of cheese or meat on top of its tongue so the smell will entice it.
3. Use your fingertip and make sure to give it a little bit of petting first before you put the pill in its mouth. This should get him excited about taking his medicine, so he’ll open up his mouth right away when you do this. You can also play with him for a few minutes to build up the anticipation.
4. Be sure to keep it in an area where your dog doesn’t usually eat its food. This way, he will think of it as a special treat and thus take it more willingly.
5. Don’t hesitate to get help from someone else if you have difficulty getting your dog to swallow his pill.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be much more likely to get your dog to take his Simparica pill. Have you used Symparica for dogs? We’d love to hear how you got on with it.
If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Flea and Worm Treatment for Dogs and Seresto Flea Collar for Dogs
