Amitrazine for ticks in cats

Medication known as amitrazine is frequently used to keep ticks and other parasites away from cats. Cats who are bitten by ticks may experience a range of health problems, from skin irritation to more serious illnesses. Amitrazine lowers the risk of illness and aids in the removal of these pests.

Amitrazine treats cats well and has fewer side effects than some other medications. To protect your cat, make sure you use the recommended dosage and pay close attention to the directions.

Amitrazine can be an effective method of protecting your cat from ticks if they spend time outside or in areas where they are frequently found. Using it on a regular basis can help you maintain your cat’s health and wellbeing.

Feature	Description
Purpose	Treats ticks and mites in cats
Form	Usually comes as a solution or ointment
How to Apply	Apply to affected areas as directed by a vet
Precautions	Avoid contact with cat"s eyes or mouth
Side Effects	Rare but may include skin irritation

Amitrazine is a popular medication used to treat cats for tick parasites because of its potency in getting rid of them. When applied externally, it paralyzes and kills ticks to stop them from irritating people or spreading illness. On the other hand, since incorrect use can result in side effects, it’s imperative to carefully follow dosage instructions. If you want to be sure your cat is safe when using amitrazine, always consult a veterinarian.

Description of the drug Amitrazine for cats

One domestically produced veterinary acaricidal agent is amitrazine. Top-Vet, a St. Petersburg-based pharmaceutical company, developed the formula for this medication. Founded in 1996, the same business also operates as a manufacturer. Other contemporary medications for animals (Otoferonol, Lakrikan, Poliseptin, Zooderm, Fitolar, etc. d.) are also available in the company’s catalog.

"Top-Vet" focuses on producing medications for use in veterinary care.

Release form of Amitrazine

Amitrazine dosage form: an external solution. Soft plastic bottles containing an oily, hazy solution with a yellowish tint are available in 5, 10, and 15 ml capacities. Every bottle has a screw cap to seal the opening and a dropper attached. Instructions are included in a box with every unit.

The manufacturer of this medication frequently modifies the packaging design of its products because it keeps an eye on how they are branded. Thus, there might be broad blue-green stripes on one Amitrazine package and narrow ones on another. Frequently, the silhouettes of a dog and a cat (on the end of the package) identify Amitrazin boxes. Whatever the situation, the original packaging needs to have all the necessary information (drug name and manufacturer, release form, volume, etc.). d.). The manufacture date and expiration date are important information to consider when purchasing a high-quality solution.

Russian pharmacies typically carry a 10-milliliter container.

What does the drug consist of

Amitrase (0.25%), dimethyl sulfoxide (30%), and rapeseed oil are components of amitrazine. This solution’s primary active ingredient is amitrase, an organic acid with potent acaricidal properties. Ticks that use it become paralyzed and eventually die. In addition to alleviating pain and inflammatory foci, dimethicone promotes the uptake of amitrase within tissues.

Rapeseed oil is the homeopathic ingredient in amitrazin. This antioxidant is potent and has noticeable anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. Rapeseed oil can also help the skin and coat in better condition. Using it helps wounds heal.

Fascinating fact: Rapeseed oil was initially manufactured before our time. It was unfit for food because it was green and bitter. However, once it was discovered that this oil burned cleanly, torches began to use it. After centuries of research and even attempts to use it medicinally, ancient scientists concluded that it contained harmful substances. Canadians were able to create a new, safe strain of rapeseed at the close of the 20th century, and contemporary medications contain its oil.

One source of monounsaturated oleic acid, a crucial component in the metabolism of cholesterol, is rapeseed oil.

Storage conditions of Amitrazine

It should be common knowledge that food and animal feed should not be stored with veterinary medications. The storage space needs to be shielded from heat, moisture, and sunlight. Furthermore, children should not be able to access the storage area. Amitrazin should be kept in a cold environment, between 0 and 20°C. As such, during hot weather, the medication should be transported carefully. Under ideal storage conditions, amitrazin can be stored for a period of two years. Even if the medication is used only once, an opened bottle should not be kept longer than one month.

The refrigerator has a "zero" temperature. If it’s hot outside, carrying the drug inside is the hardest part. I use a cooler bag in these situations. And in the event that the required pharmacy is far away, I turn to a less sophisticated yet economical technique (the cooler bag is large). I fill a thick bag with a bottle of ice (e.g., 0.5 l) and place a box containing a solution on top. The bag will stay cold if it is not opened while traveling.

Drug spoilage may occur if storage conditions are not followed. It could separate into a hazy solution with insoluble sediment forming at the bottom. Additionally, changes in color, a particular rancid smell, and other outside variables can all indicate unsuitability.

It is recommended to store and transport amitrazine in a cool location.

Indications for the use of Amitrazine in cats

Amitrazine is indicated for the treatment of mite-related illnesses. Amitrazine is typically prescribed to cats with otodectosis, or ear scabies. Animals suffering from demodicosis and notoedrosis can also use the solution.

What is otodectosis

The ear mite Ototdectes cynotus is the cause of otodectosis. Inside the cat’s auricle, the parasite grows. As the mite colony expands, waste products are left behind, clogging the ear canal. This may lead to otitis media and its sequelae. The cat may pass away in the most severe situations.

A cat with ear mites will scratch its ear and have dirty ears (dirt and scabs may "fall" from them). These are the clear symptoms of the condition. Furthermore, an infected cat may occasionally experience inflammation of the mucous membranes surrounding their eyes, resulting in the appearance of a third eyelid and an increase in lacrimation.

Video: ear mites in cats

What is notoedrosis and demodicosis

The top layers of the skin are impacted by notoedrosis. Typically, a cat will first exhibit symptoms on the scalp. If treatment is not received, the cat will eventually show clear signs throughout the body. Scratching is caused by parasitizing mites. As a result, hair loss may occur in the infected areas. The cat will also consciously scratch itself, ripping the previously wounded skin with its claws. The scratches may become infected, and excruciating itching will accompany the healing process. Weakened immunity, reinfection, or inflammatory processes can all lead to the cat’s death.

Similar symptoms are common in the homeless cats I see. These animals typically have red "crusts" and dots behind their ears and on their muzzles. Claw scratches cause the skin to become rough and have compactions, making the animal appear ugly and occasionally frightening.

Another disease called demodicosis is brought on by subcutaneous mites. Not only does it itch much more than the notoedrosis pathogen, but it also sits deeper. The skin develops blisters that burst and become sores. Occasionally, owners discover a cat has a subcutaneous mite only after the hair loss starts. Although the symptoms of demodicosis and notoedrosis are similar, a veterinarian must perform a battery of tests before making an accurate diagnosis.

Notoedrosis and demodicosis cause cats to lose their beauty and require immediate medical attention.

Instructions for use of Amitrazine

The diagnosis determines the course of treatment, dosage, and other aspects of amitrazine use.

Amitrazine for otodectosis

The solution is applied twice to treat ear scabies, with a 7-day gap between applications. The mite’s life cycle provides justification for this plan. Since ear mites have a nine-day life span, all of the laid larvae should hatch in about a week. It is sometimes advised to repeat the procedure until the cat is fully recovered, though occasionally some individuals manage to survive after receiving treatment. The veterinarian decides on the precise course of treatment. The steps to take when using amitrazine are as follows:

1. On the surface where you will carry out the procedure, you need to lay a diaper or a piece of cloth.
2. Moisten a tampon or cotton ball with distilled water or a special lotion (for example, Bars). Some use Amitrazine for this procedure, but some veterinarians consider it unsafe.

Products for cleaning cat ears are available at any veterinary pharmacy (or pet store).

All movements made when cleaning a cat’s ears should be gentle.

Since the solution is toxic, it is not advised to alter the recommended dosage.

Amitrazine for subcutaneous mites

Treating a cat with notoedrosis or demodicosis is thought to be a more involved process. As per the plan, the dosage is determined at a maximum of 0.5 milliliters for every kilogram of body weight. Order of action:

Prepare the cat. For convenience, you can shave the cat (usually the diseased areas are shaven, capturing up to 1 cm of uninfected skin).

When shaving, you should measure the perimeter and make a small, healthy area.

It is recommended to use a solution containing an extract of tea tree oil, calendula, kelp, or other substances with keratolytic and disinfectant properties to clean the affected areas of the skin.

Applying amitrazine to the affected areas with a swab begins at the border and works its way toward the center.

The animal must not be permitted to lick the medication for 15 to 20 minutes.

There was another instance in our family where the cat needed a veterinary cone, or protective collar, but none was available at the pet store. I used a 1.5 liter plastic bottle to make a collar. I used a stationery knife to cut the bottle, so the cuts weren’t very even and probably annoyed the cat. A few hours later, I took this device out of the poor creature. In the future, I would just wrap the cat in a blanket and hold it in my arms if I needed to stop it from licking some drug.

Two phases can be identified in the treatment plan if the cat is neglected. One half of the body is treated first, and the other half the following day. It’s thought that doing it will reduce your chance of overdosing.

Because subcutaneous mites are so small, amitrazine only affects adult parasites and their larvae; the drug has no effect on the mites’ eggs. Amitrazine should be administered to an infected cat multiple times, with a maximum 3-day break between treatments (no more than once per day). Up to five repetitions of the procedure should be performed in the most challenging cases. Based on the findings of the examination, the veterinarian determines whether to continue treating the patient or to stop using the solution.

It is highly desirable to have the cat observed by a veterinarian because the cat’s complete recovery can only be determined by the outcomes of the tests.

Special instructions and precautions

Although amitrazine does not come with specific instructions for use, there are some general guidelines to follow when using the medication:

• During the treatment, the cat must not drink, eat or smoke (any ingestion of the solution must be avoided).
• It is recommended to process a cat in gloves and using other protection products (mask, apron, etc. d.).
• If the solution gets on the skin or mucous membranes, it should be immediately washed off with running water.
• If the solution gets inside, you should contact a medical institution (take the instructions with you).
• After working with Amitrazin, hands should be washed with soap, and gloves should be washed and dried.

Contraindications and side effects

Amitrazin usage contraindications:

• increased sensitivity to dimexide;
• weakened state, recovery;
• lactation or pregnancy;
• Small age (up to 2 months).

The ear scam is also bad because the ticks from the infected cat-mom quickly move to the kids. I have friends who took a pregnant cat from the street, removed its fleas, washed it, trimmed it, etc. d. Ear mites were discovered in the second half of pregnancy, but they were afraid to remove them. When the kittens were born, it was decided to drip a special solution for instillation into the ears. However, parasites settled in the kittens" ears as well. The entire cat family was treated at once. Two out of four kittens died. Later, the mother cat was examined by a veterinarian – not only is the drug itself highly toxic for babies, but the dosage was also significantly exceeded.

For small kittens and pregnant cats, amitrazine should not be used.

One of the side effects of using the solution is developing a drug allergy. In this scenario, the cat might exhibit negative symptoms like skin redness, irritation, or itching. The animal might experience weakness and appetite loss. A cat may occasionally develop aggressive and unruly behavior (caused by pain and constant itching). A cotton swab soaked in warm water should be used to remove the medication if these symptoms materialize. In extreme situations, you can speak with a veterinarian. The cat might require therapy for its symptoms.

Amitrazine Overdose

The following indicators can be used to identify an overdose:

• nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• dilated pupils;
• refusal to eat;
• bradycardia;
• general weakness of the body.

The cat needs to be taken to the veterinarian right away if these symptoms are present because treatment might be necessary.

Antisedan can be used as an antidote (but this medication should be administered in a clinic under the supervision of the attending physician) + infusion therapy until the animal recovers if the symptoms are severe (hypotension, severe weakness). or just infusion treatment. Veteran Maria Lvovna Soloshek The discussion board at zoovet.ru/?tid=7&tem=1027456

Where to buy Amitrazin and how much does it cost

Any veterinary pharmacy will sell amitrazine without a prescription (pet stores occasionally carry these medications as well). A 10 ml bottle of solution costs between 50 and 150 rubles, depending on the retailer. Amitrazine is sometimes ordered online by cat owners, though there may be a delivery charge.

Analogues of the drug

Stronghold, Aversectin ointment, Decta Forte, and Amit Forte are the closest substitutes for amitrazine.

Table: analogues of Amitrazine

• fipronil – 1.0 mg;
• diphenhydramine – 5.0 mg;
• diflubenzuron – 0.5 mg;
• dimethyl sulfoxide – BO mg;
• polyethyleneglycol 200 – up to 1 ml.

• intolerance to components;
• infectious diseases (even at the stage of recovery);
• pregnancy, lactation;
• age up to 2 months.

• fipronil – 5 mg;
• chloramphenicol – 10 mg;
• lidocaine hydrochloride – 50 mg;
• dimethyl sulfoxide – 100 mg;
• benzyl alcohol 100 mg;
• Cocreme D fragrance – 5 mg;
• polyethyleneglycol-400 up to 1 ml

• allergy to components;
• infectious diseases (even at the recovery stage);
• pregnancy and lactation;
• age up to 1 month.

• aversectin C — 0.05%;
• polyethylene oxide-1500 – 40%;
• distilled glycerin — 17%;
• polyethylene oxide-400 — up to 100%.

• intolerance to components;
• infectious diseases;
• pregnancy, lactation;
• age up to 2 months.

• selamectin — from 15 to 240 mg;
• dipropyl glycol;
• isopropyl alcohol.

• intolerance to components;
• age up to 6 weeks;
• wet skin (e.g. after bathing).

Photo gallery: Amitrazine analogues

There are four different packaging options for Stronghold: 0.25 ml (purple cap), 0.5 ml (brown cap), 1 ml (red cap), and 2 ml (green cap). Similar to amitrazin, amit forte is supplied in handy dropper bottles. Dectu Forte is sold in glass bottles or polyethylene (or polypropylene) bottles holding 5, 10, 15, and 20 milliliters. The ointment has a systemic insectoacaricidal effect after absorption and a contact effect in areas of the skin where ectoparasites are localized.

Cats can effectively treat their tick problem with amitrazine, which helps protect them from these dangerous parasites. Serious health problems brought on by tick-borne diseases can be avoided by routinely checking your cat for ticks and treating them with products like Amitrazine when necessary.

To guarantee your cat receives the best protection possible, always adhere to the dosage and application instructions. See your veterinarian to modify the course of treatment or come up with a different plan if you have any questions or observe any negative effects.

Your cat can live a healthy, happy life free from ticks if you use Amitrazine and exercise caution.

Video on the topic

TREATING CAT"S EARS. EAR MITES. BURYING CAT"S EARS

How to treat a cat for ticks? "Bravecto Plus" Link in the description.

Ear mites in cats

how to treat subcutaneous mites or demodicosis