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General Diseases: Lyme Disease Medicine

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There are many different types of dog tick medicine. Here is a guide to the different types available. Note that most products are not safe for dogs under 12 weeks of age. Be sure to read the label. If combining products be sure to determine if both can be used together.

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPCVET), dogs should be protected from ticks by using the products listed in the charts below.

Favored products include K9 Advantix, Frontline Plus, Frontline Spray, and Preventic Collars

Prescription Dog Tick Medicine

Antibiotics (tetracyclines) are the first drug to be prescribed to help a dog with Lyme disease. Treatment lasts for 1 month Doxycycline is the drug most often prescribed. These types of antibiotics help with lyme, other diseases transmitted by ticks such as ehrlichiosis and helps with arthritis, the primary symptom seen in dogs.

As an alternative, another antibiotic called azithromycin and atavaquone. It is used if your dog is suffering from a bacterium called bartonellosis.

In only the most severe cases of Lyme disease called Lyme nephropathy and Lyme nephritis, doxycycline might be combined with aspirin, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and a change in diet.

Over the Counter Dog Tick Medicine

There are several categories of dog tick medicine including:

Check the label if your dog is sick, a puppy or pregnant to be sure that the products listed below are safe for your dog.

Dog Tick Medicine Brands by Category


Topical Canine Tick Products

Topical tick products are simple to apply to your dog's back. Liquid applied spreads through the skin and kills ticks on contact. They are easy to use and very popular for preventing and killing ticks.

Brand Ingredient (s) Days Protected Repels and Kills Ticks Repels and Kills Fleas
K9 Advantix Permethrin and Imidacloprid 30 - Apply 1x/month Yes Yes
Bio Spot Methoprene and Permethrin
30 - Apply 1x per month Yes Yes
Revolution Selamectin 30 - Apply 1x per month Yes Yes
Frontline Plus Fipronil and Methoprene 30 - Apply 1x per month Yes (and lice, controls, mange) Yes
Frontline Top Spot Fipronil 30 - Apply 1x per month Yes (also controls lice and mange) Yes

Dog Tick Sprays

Similar to shampoos, these products are good to use either before or just after your dog is exposed to ticks.

Brand Ingredient (s) Days Protected Repels and Kills Ticks Repels and Kills Fleas
Bio Spot Flea and Tick Spray Methoprene and Pyrethrin 60 - Apply 1x every 2 months. Yes Yes
Frontline Spray Fipronil 30 - Good if there are infestations already on your dog Yes Yes

Dog Tick Collars

Many veterinarians recommend Preventic collars. The provide long lasting protection against ticks. If your dog is outdoors and picks up many ticks, quickly purchase and use one of these collars to kill them before any disease can be transferred. It will cause the ticks the fall off your dog. Be sure to clean the area where your dog sleeps daily if using this method to vacuum up any ticks.

Brand Ingredient (s) Days Protected Kills Ticks Kills Fleas
Preventic Amitraz 90 Yes Yes

Dog Tick Shampoo Products

If you believe your dog has picked up ticks when outdoors, then a bath with one of these products will help any ticks that your dog may have picked up.

Brand Ingredients Days Protected Kills Ticks Kills Fleas
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo Pyrethrin, Piperonyl butoxide technical, pyriproxyfen 7 to 14 days Yes Yes
Lambert Kay Fresh N'Clean pyrethrins, Piperonyl butoxide 7 to 14 days Yes Yes
Sentry Flea and Tick Shampoo Permethrin, Piperonyl butoxide Up to 10 days Yes Yes

 

Zodiac Flea and Tick Shampoo for Puppies

Methoprene, Pyrethrins, Piperonyl butoxide 7 to 10 days Yes Yes

Dog Tick Dips

Dips are and effective dog tick medicine, but they are messy to apply. Be sure to use gloves and work in a well ventilated room. They are used when a dog has many ticks on her body. Dips can also be applied in a veterinarians office. They may need to be repeated for 3 to 4 weeks to ensure that all ticks were killed.

Brands Ingredients Days Protected Kills Ticks Kills Fleas
Bio Spot Pyrethrin Dip for Dogs & Cats  Pyrethrins, Piperonyl butoxide, N-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, Di-n-propyl isocinchomeronate Repeat every 7 days if needed Yes Yes
Adams™ Plus Pyrethrin Dip for Dogs & Cats  Pyrethrins, Piperonyl buboxide, N-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, Di-n-propyl isocinchomeronate Repeat every 7 days if needed Yes Yes

Homeopathic Natural Tick Remedies


Brands Ingredients
PetAlive TF-Defense Formula

Combines several ingredients known to support dogs that are suffering from tick borne illnesses such as:

  • Carduus marianus (Milk Thistle) Milk Thistle contains a flavonoid complex called silymarin anatural anti-oxidant that supports liver function and toxin removal at the cellular leel, thereby supporting the body’s ability to routinely regenerate liver cells.
  • Crotalus hor. (200C) is a homeopathic remedy that can be used to support integrity of red blood cells while also maintaining liver health and supporting the immune system.
  • China (6C) is a natural remedy well known for its ability to support the body in maintaining healthy energy levels naturally.
  • Ferrum phos. (D6)supports the natural distribution of iron and oxygen throughout the body, maintains comfort and ease of movement in muscles and joints and helps to maintain the health of  cell walls.
  • Aconite (6C) is often used to support the nervous system and maintain routine balance and harmony.