Here is a quick list of the anti-tick and flea products that I prescribe to my patients. This is arranged in order of most recommended to least. My basis for this list is feedback from the parents of my patients, and my professional experience.
Scroll down if you want to jump to the top 3 preventives for cats.
For Dogs
Before purchasing or using any of it, be sure you know your dog’s correct weight in kilograms and its age. If your dog does not meet the specified requirements, please find another product for your pet’s safety.
#1 Bravecto® (Fluralaner)
Chewable form
6 months old and above, 2.0 kg and above
Give 1 piece every 3 months, all year round
- I regularly give this to my 17 year old Miniature Schnauzer. Until now, he has not yet developed any adverse reaction.
- If you’re planning to give this to a middle-aged to senior dog (7 year old and above), I would suggest having a blood workup (CBC and biochemistry) whose results are normal before giving your pet this medicine.
- I handled cases where this has shown significant results in helping to cure Demodectic mange in dogs.
- This should not be given without any veterinarian’s consent on an actively sick dog, to be bred, pregnant, or breastfeeding mommy dog.
- More expensive than the ones below but is actually cost-effective if you do some math.
- This must be given after a meal.
- If you give it on an empty stomach, your dog will vomit it and you just wasted your money.
Choose the right preparation for your woof woof:
- 2 to 4.5 kg dogs
- Around PHP 1,600.00 per piece
- Beware of counterfeits
- 4.5 to 10 kg
- Around PHP 1,600.00 per piece
- Beware of counterfeits
- 10 to 20 kg
- Around PHP 1,600.00 per piece
- Beware of counterfeits
- 20 to 40 kg
- Around PHP 1,600.00 per piece
- Beware of counterfeits
#2 NexGard® or NexGard Spectra® (Afoxolaner)
Chewable form
2 months old and above, 2.0 kg and above
Give 1 piece once monthly, all year round
- If number one is pricy for you, the next best option is this.
- This is my clients’ favourite coming from their bad experience from powders, shampoos, and spot-ons.
- Spectra is an all-in-one product: it has dewormer, anti-heartworm, and anti-mange benefits. If your pet is an outdoor type, this is the best option for you.
- If you’re planning to give this to a middle-aged to senior dog (7 year old and above), I would suggest having a blood workup (CBC and biochemistry) whose results are normal before giving your pet this medicine.
- This should not be given without any veterinarian’s consent on an actively sick dog, to be bred, pregnant, or breastfeeding mommy dog.
- This must be given after a meal. If you give it on an empty stomach, your dog will vomit it and you just wasted your money.
Choose the right preparation for your arf arf:
- 2 to 3.5 kg dogs
- Around PHP 1,900.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
- 3.5 to 7.5 kg
- Around PHP 2,100.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
- 7.5 to 15 kg
- Around PHP 1,600.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
- 15 to 30 kg
- Around PHP 3,000.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
- 30 to 60 kg
- Around PHP 2,800.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
#3 Seresto® (Flumethrin, Imidacloprid)
Collar form
7 weeks old and above, regardless of weight
Replace collar once every 8 months
- Water resistant! You can leave the collar on when you give your dog a bath. Getting it wet won’t reduce most of its efficacy
- Be careful when using on young puppies under teething – it may destroy and eat the collar which can lead to surgery and hospitalization
- This should not be used without any veterinarian’s consent on a soon to be bred, currently pregnant, or currently breastfeeding mommy dog.
Choose the right length for your bork bork:
- If your dog’s neck is about 15 inches using a clothing measuring tape (you may cut excess material after)
- If your dog’s weight is less than or equal to 8.2 kg
- Around PHP 1,600.00
- Beware of counterfeits
- If your dog’s neck is about 27.5 inches using a clothing measuring tape (you may cut excess material after)
- If your dog’s weight is equal to or greater than 8.2 kg
- Around PHP 1,800.00
- Beware of counterfeits
FOR DOGS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you are wondering why the product you have in mind is not on the list, it simply means I do not recommend it as of now. It’s either I am not satisfied with how it works, or I haven’t met the minimum number of feedback or experience to recommend that.
Weigh yourself first in a bathroom weighing scale. Then weigh yourself and your bet together. Stay still. Subtract. Voila! If your pet is too light, put it on a kitchen scale. Be sure your unit is kg.
Yes, in terms of the duration of protection numbers 1 to 3 give to your pet. Ivermectin injections last in the body for a few days, explaining why you see ticks again after such period.
Weigh yourself first in a bathroom weighing scale. Then weigh yourself and your bet together. Stay still. Subtract. Voila! If your pet is too light, put it on a kitchen scale. Be sure your unit is kg.
Yes, in terms of the duration of protection numbers 1 to 3 give to your pet. Ivermectin injections last in the body for a few days, explaining why you see ticks again after such period.
This means that lots of ticks had already mated and eggs have hatched inside your house. Your strategy should be to control the ticks ALREADY on your dog, and the ticks that live in your home. So you need an environmental control of ticks.
If you want it DIY style, consider using Doggie’s Choice Pet House Cleaner.
If you want other people to do it for you, call a private pest control company which uses pet-friendly chemicals.
You truly are a Filipino, thinking of ways to save.
I tried this one time for my dogs, buying a wrong dosage of Bravecto online. Luckily when I added the weights of these two dogs, they almost equalled to the dosage that I bought. It was effective! But then I would still be cautious on this one, given the manufacturer’s warning on such practice.
Yes and no.
Yes, if you’re using number 3.
No, if you’re using numbers 1 and 2. Theoretically, the first two products claim to have no negative effect on vaccination. But I always prescribe to give it 3 days after any vaccination so as not to overwhelm your young pup’s growing body.
Yes and no.
Yes, if you’re using number 3.
No, if you’re using numbers 1 and 2. Even though these claim that there are no harmful effects on the body, a sick dog body is a fragile body. I would recommend bringing your dog to your vet first to treat the condition and restore your dog’s health to an optimum state. Only then will it be safe to give these.
If your pet is still under medications for a certain condition, consult your veterinarian first.
Yes and it depends.
Yes, if you’re using number 3.
It depends on your vet and your pet’s medications. Your vet will consider first what drug interactions will happen if you give number 1 or 2 to your pet. Even after a few hours of giving your pet’s medicine, number 1 or 2 may still have an interaction that could be bad to your pet’s body. There are medicines that when given together, results to one or both of it having its intended effect on the body blocked. So to safeguard your pet’s health and not to waste your hard earned money, ask your vet first.
If you have an anti-tick shampoo, dilute it lightly with water. Apply on your puppy’s body using a towel, avoiding its head. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes for the solution to dry, before quickly rinsing its body. Some ticks should fall off. Immediately keep the puppy in a warm place.
If there are ticks left, remove it using tweezers the next day (do not do everything all at once to prevent shock). Dispose the ticks in a soapy solution. Do not kill the mother ship on the floor, because the blood that spills actually contains the eggs. In doing so, you just spread another batch of ticks.
We support evidence-based medicine so no.
For Cats
#1 Broadline® (Fipronil, (S)-Methoprene, Eprinomectin, Praziquantel)
Spot-on solution
2 months old and above, 1.0 kg and above
Part the hair of the neck, apply all contents directly on the dry skin.
Repeat once every 30 days all year round
- In addition, it is also a dewormer for roundworms (spaghetti-ish worms) and tapeworms (worms like white rice)
- Prior to application, no bathing for a day. After application, no bathing for 3 days. Bathing will wash off the medicine before it is fully absorbed by the skin.
- This should not be given without any veterinarian’s consent on an actively sick cat, to be bred, pregnant, or breastfeeding mommy meow meow.
- Never allow your cat to taste it, or else its mouth will foam and you will panic (but don’t worry, the hypersalivation usually subsides on its own).
Choose the right preparation for your meow meow:
- Around PHP 1,575.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
- Around PHP 1,775.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
#2 Advocate® (Imidacloprid, Moxidectin)
Spot-on solution
2 months old and above, 1.0 kg and above
Part the hair of the neck, apply all contents directly on the dry skin.
Repeat once every 30 days all year round
- This has no anti-tick property. It works against fleas, roundworms (spaghetti-sh worms), hookworms (pancit bihon noodles-ish worms), heartworms, and ear mites.
- If you suspect your cat to have an ear mite, you can purchase this over the counter.
- This should not be given without any veterinarian’s consent on an actively sick cat, to be bred, pregnant, or breastfeeding mommy meow meow.
- Never allow your cat to taste it, or else its mouth will foam and you will panic (but don’t worry, the hypersalivation usually subsides on its own).
Choose the right preparation for your cat master:
- Around PHP 1,260.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
- Unavailable in the Philippines
- You may ask your friends from overseas to buy for you
- Philippine veterinary prescriptions are usually not recognized overseas
- Beware of counterfeits
#3 Frontline Plus® (Fipronil, (S)-Methoprene)
Spot-on solution
2 months old and above, regardless of weight
Part the hair of the neck, apply all contents directly on the dry skin.
Repeat once every 30 days all year round
- Effective against ticks and fleas only. No deworming property.
- This should not be given without any veterinarian’s consent on an actively sick cat, to be bred, pregnant, or breastfeeding mommy meow meow.
- Never allow your cat to taste it, or else its mouth will foam and you will panic.
There's only one preparation available, meow:
- Around PHP 1,000.00 per box (3 pieces inside)
- Beware of counterfeits
FOR CATS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Absolutely not.
If you are wondering why the product you have in mind is not on the list, it simply means I do not recommend it as of now. It’s either I am not satisfied with how it works, or I haven’t met the minimum number of feedback or experience to recommend that.
Weigh yourself first in a bathroom weighing scale. Then weigh yourself and your bet together. Stay still. Subtract. Voila! If your pet is too light, put it on a kitchen scale. Be sure your unit is kg.
If you have an adult cat which received its annual shot, yes.
If you have a kitten which received its first shot, no. Wait for 3 days before using it. Ensure your vet has given his or her blessing.
This means that lots of fleas had already mated and eggs have hatched inside your house. Your strategy should be to control the fleas ALREADY on your cat, and the fleas that live in your home. So you need an environmental control of ticks.
If you want it DIY style, consider using Doggie’s Choice Pet House Cleaner.
If you want other people to do it for you, call a private pest control company which uses pet-friendly chemicals.
You truly are a Filipino, thinking of ways to save.
Unfortunately cats are not as sturdy as dogs. This could potentially lead to drug allergy or intense side effects.
No, your cat should be seen by a vet first.
If your pet is still under medications for a certain condition, consult your veterinarian first.
It depends on your pet’s primary healthcare provider.
We support evidence-based medicine so no.
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