General Description : A safe and simple monthly topical medication to protect your pet from heartworms, fleas, sarcoptic mange, ear mites and ticks. Selamectin also kills roundworms and hookworms in cats. Because of the low-volume dosage size, the solution can be applied in one spot. It is non-greasy and quick-drying. Use Selamectin on dogs older than 6 weeks or cats older than 8 weeks of age. Selamectin is sold in packs containing 3, 6 or 12 single dose tubes. Your veterinarian will help you choose the pack best-suited to your pet.
What is this drug?
A parasiticide that fights both internal and surface parasitic infections
Applied topically
Reasons for prescribing:
Dogs: Kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month, prevent and control flea infestations; prevents heartworm disease; treats and controls ear mites, sarcoptic mange; control of tick infestations
Cats: Kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month, prevent and control flea infestations; prevents heartworm disease; treats and controls ear mites; treatment and control of roundworms and hookworms
What dogs/cats should not take this medication?
Dogs younger than 6 weeks of age or cats younger than 8 weeks of age
Sick, debilitated or underweight animals
Use with caution if pet’s skin is broken or irritated
Safe to use on breeding animals and on pregnant and nursing females
If your pet has had an allergic reaction to selamectin or like products
Directions:
Read and follow the label carefully. Reminder stickers are included to place on your calendar for each of the months following the date of the first dose.
At your veterinarian’s discretion, a blood test may be necessary to determine the presence of an existing heartworm infection in your pet.
Administer the entire contents of a single dose tube (or two tubes for dogs weighing >85 pounds) topically. Part the hair on the animal’s back at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades. Place the tube tip on the skin and squeeze the tube emptying the contents directly onto the skin in one spot. Ensure that the tube is empty. Do not massage product into the skin.
Do not give orally. Do not apply to broken skin or onto wet hair coat.
To maximize the effectiveness, do not bathe the animal or allow the pet to swim for 2 hours.
Call ahead for refills.
Flea control: Administer at monthly intervals starting one month before fleas become active until the end of flea season.
Heartworm prevention: Administer monthly year-round, or at least within one month after the first exposure to mosquitoes, and monthly thereafter until one month after mosquito season ends. If selamectin replaces another type of heartworm preventive, give the first dose within 30 days of the last dose of the previous product.
Ear mites: Administer once as a single dose. Some dogs may require a second monthly dose. Monthly use will control any subsequent infections. Cleaning the infested ears is recommended.
Sarcoptic mange in dogs: Administer once as a single dose. Some dogs may require a second monthly dose. Monthly use will control any subsequent infections.
Tick control in dogs: Apply monthly. In heavy tick infestations, complete efficacy may not be achieved in one dose. An additional dose may be administered two weeks after the first, with monthly dosing continued thereafter.
Roundworms and hookworms in cats : Apply once as a single dose. Humans can contract these parasites from animals. Ensure everyone in your household maintains good personal hygiene.
What if a dose is missed?
If a dose is missed and a monthly interval between dosing is exceeded, immediately apply selamectin and resume monthly dosing to reduce the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms. Do not give two doses at the same time.
What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving medication?
Talk to your veterinarian about:
When will your pet need to be rechecked
What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
What are the risks and benefits of using this drug
Tell your veterinarian about:
If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet’s medicines can be given together.
Storage and Warnings:
Store below 30°C (86°F).
Discard empty tubes in your ordinary household garbage. Do not expose to heat or flame.
Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets. Not for human use. May be irritating to skin and eyes. Wash hands after use and wash off any product in contact with the skin immediately with soap and water.
Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.
Potential side effects:
Stiff hair, clumping of hair or hair discoloration, hair loss, skin irritation or a slight powdery residue may be seen at the treatment site. These effects are temporary and will not affect the safety or effectiveness of the product.
Side effects are rare, but may include decreased appetite, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, fever and rapid breathing
If these symptoms persist or you notice anything else unusual, contact your veterinarian
Can this drug be given with other drugs?
There are no known drug interactions with selamectin.
Do not use with other topical flea and tick control products
If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian.
Overdosing?
Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet receives more than the prescribed amount.
What else should I know?
Notify your veterinarian if your animal’s condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.
As with all prescribed medicines, selamectin should only be given to the pet for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.
This is just a summary of information about selamectin. If you have any questions or concerns about selamectin or the condition it was prescribed for, contact your veterinarian.
