Prevention (pets): oral isoxazoline tablets

01

Isoxazolines are a class of oral acaricides given to dogs (and some products to cats) as a flavoured chew or pill. The active ingredient circulates in the bloodstream; ticks ingest it when they bite, then die before transmitting most pathogens.

02

One dose typically protects for one month; a few products extend to three months or longer.

03

The tick must bite to be killed - so brief attachment (and the resulting small bite) does occur.

04

FDA has issued an advisory noting potential neurologic adverse effects (muscle tremors, ataxia, seizures) in a minority of dogs and cats. Discuss your pet's seizure history with your veterinarian before starting.

05

Convenient, water-resistant (does not wash off), and avoids the topical-residue issue for households with small children.

06

Mechanism: isoxazolines block invertebrate GABA- and glutamate-gated chloride channels, paralysing and killing the tick. Mammalian channels are far less sensitive.