STRONGHOLD - Usage, Side Effects & How to Save Money

How is it used?

Stronghold kills fleas, worms and other parasites affecting dogs and cats. It comes as a pale, watery liquid supplied in a small plastic capsule. The contents of a capsule are tipped onto the back of the neck once a month for effective parasite control. The drug is then absorbed through the skin and is effective for about 1 month. Capsules of different sizes are available to treat the varying bodyweights of dogs and cats.

Stronghold is effective against all the common parasites on dogs and cats. It does not work for tapeworms. However the most common tapeworm seen in most parts of the United Kingdom is transmitted by fleas and lice, which are killed by Stronghold. Therefore this worm too can be controlled by Stronghold indirectly.

What is it for?

It can seem rather unlikely that placing a few drops of liquid on the neck of a dog or cat can kill fleas which might be found on a completely different part of the body. Even more remarkable is that the same application can kill tiny mites living deep in the ear canals, and even the worms living in the middle of the gut! Stronghold works because it is absorbed through the skin into the blood stream. It is transported around the body by the blood, Killing parasites everywhere. Some of it is absorbed into the sebaceous glands in the skin. These glands then pass the Stronghold out onto the surface of the skin over a period of about a month, maintaining the flea killing effect over the whole surface of the skin. The activity against fleas is even more amazing than that. It seems that debris from the animals coat falls to the floor and is effective against flea larvae developing in the environment. This is very important because by the time you see any fleas at all on your pet, there will usually be hundreds more developing from larvae under carpets and in nooks and crannies in the home. These fleas are not usually seen, but they make it very difficult to treat a flea infestation. This ability of Stronghold to treat the environment as well as the animals adds to its effectiveness against fleas.

The ability of Stronghold to travel around the body in the blood stream, then to concentrate in the skin, probably helps it to kill the mites which cause sarcoptic mange. This used to be a very difficult condition to treat. With Stronghold it is easy (though some cases do seem to be resistant).

Side effects & Precautions?

These are not a great concern with Stronghold. After using Stronghold it is sensible to wash your hands, not to stroke the neck of the dog or cat, and prevent close contact between then animal and children for a few hours. Having said that, the active ingredient of Stronghold, called selamectin, is not at all toxic to people at the sort of doses likely to be encountered. Side effects in dogs and cats are not a significant concern either. Sometimes the skin where the Stronghold is applied might show some hair loss and irritation. This usually passes in a few days, with or without treatment. Even when used with other flea or worm treatments there does not seem to be a problem, though it is sensible to check with your vet before combining any treatments.

Where to get Stronghold

Stronghold can be supplied by your local vet. This might be the most expensive way, but it is easy. However Stronghold is not a cheap drug and can be supplied legally online by places such as VioVet. Many people use online suppliers these days to help with the costs of medication. It must first be prescribed by the vet who is directly responsible for the care of the dog in question. This means that a vet must assess the dog's condition and then decide, in conjunction with the owner, what treatment is most appropriate. If the decision is to use Stronghold, then the vet is legally obliged to provide a written, signed prescription on request (in the United Kingdom). This can then be forwarded to an internet pharmacy such as VioVet so that the drug can be supplied.

(VioVet use exactly the same Stronghold as your local vet but are able to supply it more cheaply.)