Amitrazine is one of the most popular drugs with a complex effect. It is used for the treatment and prevention of various types of ticks in dogs.
The main active ingredient has some contraindications . Before using the drug, you need to carefully read the instructions for the medicine and take care of the safety of your pet.
Is it possible?
Indications for use are the following diseases of pets:
- otodectosis (ear mites);
- demodicosis (skin mites);
- notoedrosis (parasitic mites);
- sarcoptic mange (infectious scabies caused by mites).
Amitrazine is also successfully used to prevent these diseases. The product also reduces the likelihood of developing complications, for example, otitis media, often caused by ear mites.
The drug can only be used externally. If ingested, it can cause severe poisoning. It is strongly recommended to use drops after consulting a veterinarian . Only a doctor can prescribe the most appropriate course of treatment, taking into account all the characteristics of the dog.
Some animals should not use the medicine:
- elderly;
- weakened and sick;
- puppies less than 2 months old;
- pregnant and lactating females;
- pets belonging to small decorative breeds.
In the latter case, the ban is conditional. It is associated with a high risk of exceeding the permissible dosage. The smaller the animal's body weight, the higher the danger. A direct and unconditional contraindication is hypersensitivity to the active ingredient. In this case, you will have to choose another drug.
Contraindications
The antiparasitic drug contains toxic components, and therefore has a number of prohibitions on use. Contraindications are:
- infectious diseases;
- severe degree of exhaustion;
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- puppies are up to 2 months old.
The acaricide should not be used by animals with a tendency to allergies or those with individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
When using, you should follow the dosage and treatment regimen prescribed by your doctor, and make sure that the dog does not lick the solution. Allergic reactions may occur:
- severe itching;
- rashes on the body;
- hives.
In this case, the dog should be immediately washed with shampoo and given an antihistamine.
If the solution accidentally gets inside the body, the following are possible:
- nausea, vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- excessive salivation;
- apathy;
- impaired coordination of movements.
First aid for Amitrazine poisoning consists of taking enterosorbents and gastric lavage. In case of severe poisoning, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic.
Composition and expiration date
The active substance is amitraz. Its content in the product is 0.25% per 1 ml. The solution has a transparent color and a characteristic medicinal odor; a yellowish tint is possible. Amitrazine is sold in the form of drops, in bottles of 10, 15 and 20 ml. Each container is in a cardboard box and comes with instructions.
The shelf life is 2 years from the date of production. The drug must be stored in places protected from sunlight and away from heating devices, as well as inaccessible to children and pets (otherwise there is a danger to their health and life).
The room temperature cannot exceed +18…+25°C. You need to keep the medicine away from food.
Basic properties
First of all, many are interested in the active elements of this medication for cats. The product works due to amitrase, which is aimed at destroying parasites, regardless of their stage of growth. In addition to the fact that Amitrazine affects the mites themselves, it significantly reduces inflammation and gives a softening effect. By the way, the medicine has a cumulative property. It is saved in:
- hair follicles;
- epithelia;
- fat glands.
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In fact, Amitrazine-plus is intended for a systemic and contact effect on ticks that parasitize cats and dogs. It is non-toxic, so there is no risk of harm to the pet itself. The product is packaged in convenient plastic bottles with a special spout. There is also an option in glass containers. The price of the medicine depends on the form of packaging. In addition to amitrase, the composition includes rapeseed oil.
Instructions for use
For skin mites, Amitrazine should be applied directly to the affected areas. The areas must first be cleared of crusts. For 1 kg of pet's weight, 0.2-0.5 g of the drug will be enough.
If we are talking about large surfaces of the skin, then the sore spots are treated one by one. First apply the medicine to one half, and then the other.
It is highly advisable to treat healthy skin around the affected areas, but not more than 1 cm. The course of treatment includes 6-8 procedures. Processing is carried out once every 3 days. The exact treatment regimen must be prescribed by a veterinarian. In addition, he will make the correct diagnosis.
The presence of ear mites suggests a different method of application. Before treatment, you need to clean the animal's ears. This is convenient to do with a cotton swab, which must be moistened with a special lotion. All crusts should be removed. The ear canal should be free.
After this, you need to drop 1-2 drops of Amitrazine into each ear. The exact amount depends on the pet's body weight. The head must be tilted so that the liquid cannot flow out. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to massage the auricle.
The frequency of application is the same as for demodicosis. Complete cure usually occurs after 6-7 treatments. Even if only one ear is affected by the disease, the solution must be instilled into both.
To prevent scratching of the ears or skin, you should put a plastic collar on the animal. The latter should be quite flexible.
When more than one animal lives in an apartment, it is worth carrying out preventive treatment of a healthy dog or cat. Even if there are no symptoms of the disease. One application is sufficient to prevent infection.
Do not allow liquid to come into contact with wounds on the skin or ear. The active ingredient can corrode damaged tissue. This causes severe pain in the pet.
Dosage of the drug
The success of treatment is always determined by the correct dosage of the drug. Above we described only the correct method of applying it, but not the volume of the medicine:
- When treating demodicosis and scabies, the dosage is not “officially” specified, but it is believed that the maximum volume of the drug applied should not exceed 0.5 ml per kilogram of the animal’s weight. Those. A 10 ml jar is enough for either a one-time treatment of a dog weighing 20 kg, or two applications for a pet weighing 10 kg.
- When treating otodectosis, no more than three milliliters of the drug can be “poured” into each ear at a time.
Side effects
The product is not toxic. However, Amitrazine is a potent compound. With increasing dosage, severe intoxication is possible. The following signs indicate poisoning:
- dilated pupils;
- vomit;
- increased salivation;
- convulsions;
- depressed state;
- decreased appetite.
For treatment, it is necessary to give the animal activated carbon or another enterosorbent. Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended. The pet’s well-being improves after 8-10 hours.
Similar symptoms are characteristic of accidental licking of drops. Therefore, the dog should not be allowed to do this. If the animal's condition worsens after taking the medicine, you should stop treatment and consult a doctor.
How it works
The principle of action of the drug is based on the fact that the active substance has a negative effect on parasite receptors. Amitraz causes disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system, which leads to paralysis and death of ticks. A special feature of the drug is its ability to accumulate in the upper layers of the skin, sweat glands and wool. Thanks to this, the effect of Amitrazine lasts for a long period, so it not only effectively gets rid of ticks, but also prevents re-infestation.
Rapeseed oil stimulates regeneration processes, so when using this medicine, the integrity of the skin is restored faster. Dimethyl sulfoxide can relieve pain. The drug not only removes the cause of the pathology, but also reduces the manifestation of symptoms. In addition, the medication stops inflammatory processes and prevents complications.
Note! Amitrazine contains toxic components, so the dosage must be strictly observed. This is especially true when the solution is used for puppies and small breed dogs.
Pregnant, lactating and puppies
It is not advisable to treat dogs bearing offspring and lactating with Amitrazine. If necessary, this measure is permissible with the permission of a veterinarian . He will select the optimal dosage regimen or prescribe a safer drug.
You cannot treat the listed categories of pets with the product yourself. This comes with a lot of risk. Similar advice can be given in the case of treating puppies. For them, the use of the product is allowed only after 2 months.
Reviews
Owners
Svetlana, Tyumen:
“The veterinarian prescribed Amitrazine to the dog, and the drug helped a lot against ear mites. It was inexpensive. I bought the product at a veterinary pharmacy for 60 rubles.”
Pavel, Moscow:
“My bull terrier caught demodicosis and infected our cat. Both were cured after 6 treatments. The product is good, but if it comes into contact with the skin, the animal suffers. Be careful when applying. I'm pleased with the effect. My pets have been healthy for six months now.”
Veterinarians
Irina, veterinarian, Kazan:
“Amitrazine is a very effective anti-tick drug. However, you often have to deal with allergies to medications. In such situations, I prescribe more gentle anti-tick remedies. Poisoning is also common. People are not always attentive to their pets.”
Sergey, veterinarian, Rostov-on-Don:
“I prescribe Amitrazine daily. It is great for almost all types of dogs, especially young and healthy dogs. I wouldn't recommend it for small breeds. They often experience poisoning. I strongly ask dog owners not to self-medicate, but to seek help from qualified specialists.”
Price
The medicine has an undoubted advantage over other similar medicines in that it is very inexpensive. Depending on the choice of place of purchase, you can buy it for 50-100 rubles.
If the pet has been taken to the doctor for examination, then every veterinary clinic has a good pharmacy. Moreover, the specialist will prescribe exactly the drugs that are in it. Then he will monitor the pet’s condition and stop the medication in a timely manner.
If it is possible to buy it cheaper, then it is suggested that you contact another animal hospital or a trusted pharmacy.
It is worth buying medicines in pet stores only when such points have proven themselves to be excellent.
Online sales can also be addressed. But it is better to use the services of a drug manufacturer, veterinary clinic websites, or a reliable supplier who enjoys the trust of its customers.
It is necessary to choose a medicine very carefully, since counterfeit or low-quality medicine can harm your pet’s health.
Analogs
Amitrazine has several analogues. The most popular of them is Amit Forte . Its price is about 150 rubles. It acts more gently and has a wide range of applications. Sold in the form of drops in a bottle with a 20 ml pipette. The product contains diphenhydramine. He calms the animal.
Decta Forte treats ticks in the same way as Amitrazine. But the drug is quite gentle. It contains many anesthetic additives. For 10 ml of medicine you will have to pay 100 rubles. The solution is available in the form of drops.
general description
Two types of medicine - Amitrazine and Amitrazine-Plus - contain amitraz as the main therapeutic component.
This is a substance that causes paralysis of ticks, due to which the parasite dies not immediately, but within 2-3 days. In addition to amitraz, which has a pronounced acaricidal effect, Amitrazine-Plus contains decamethoxin, which has an antiseptic effect. Excipients give the medicine the appearance of an oily liquid that easily spreads over the affected areas of the animal's skin.
