🐾 Selamectin for Dogs & Cats: Vet-Approved Parasite Protection in 2025 💧

Author: Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Parasites are more than just a nuisance — they can spread disease, cause significant discomfort, and even lead to serious health complications. In 2025, selamectin remains a cornerstone treatment for dogs and cats in the fight against internal and external parasites. It's trusted by veterinarians around the world, and for good reason. 💊🐾

🧬 What Is Selamectin?

Selamectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic topical medication sold under various brand names like Revolution®, Revolution Plus®, Paradyne®, Selarid®, and others. It’s applied directly to your pet’s skin and absorbed into the bloodstream, where it begins targeting parasites within hours. ⏱️

Its primary purpose is to protect pets from:

• 🐛 Fleas (kills adults and prevents eggs from hatching)
• 🦟 Heartworm disease (by killing heartworm larvae)
• 🪱 Intestinal worms (like roundworms and hookworms in cats)
• 👂 Ear mites
• 🕷️ Mange mites (including notoedric and sarcoptic mange)
• 🦠 American dog ticks (in dogs)

In short, it's a comprehensive, once-monthly treatment that keeps both pets and their families safe. 🏡💖

🌍 Who Should Use Selamectin?

Selamectin is ideal for:

• 🌳 Outdoor cats exposed to worms, fleas, or ear mites
• 🐕 Dogs needing monthly heartworm prevention
• 🐾 Puppies and kittens (age minimum varies by brand — typically 6–8 weeks)
• 🤱 Pregnant and lactating pets (safe when used as directed)

⚠️ Not recommended for sick, underweight, or debilitated pets without veterinary guidance.

💡 How It Works

Selamectin belongs to the macrocyclic lactone class of antiparasitic medications. Once applied, it penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream, targeting the nervous systems of susceptible parasites. This disrupts their normal function, leading to paralysis and death. 🧬☠️

Unlike flea collars or sprays, selamectin provides consistent, systemic coverage — even if your pet gets wet or goes outside. Most brands are waterproof within 2 hours of application. 🌧️🏖️

Selamectin not only kills parasites but prevents re-infestation. For fleas, for example, it stops eggs from hatching and disrupts the life cycle completely. 🐣🚫

📦 Brands Containing Selamectin

Selamectin is available under several trusted veterinary brand names:

• 💧 Revolution® (Zoetis) — the original selamectin product for dogs and cats
• 💧 Revolution Plus® — combines selamectin with sarolaner for tick coverage in cats
• 💧 Paradyne®
• 💧 Selarid®
• 💧 Senergy®
• 💧 Revolt®

Each contains the same active ingredient — selamectin — but may differ slightly in carrier oil or packaging. ✅

📆 Dosing & Application Schedule

Selamectin is applied monthly — typically on the skin between your pet's shoulder blades. Be sure to:

1. 🧼 Part the hair so the skin is visible
2. 📍 Apply the full tube directly to the skin, not the fur
3. 🕐 Wait 2 hours before bathing or water exposure
4. 📆 Repeat monthly for continuous protection

✅ It’s safe to apply more frequently in some cases (e.g. severe mange), but always consult your vet first. 🩺