External deworming is one of the basic care measures you must bear in mind to maintain your dog’s wellbeing. It is not just about eliminating possible unwanted guests, but about repelling them before they appear and even preventing bites that can be as dangerous as that of the sandfly (the agent transmitting leishmaniasis), thus protecting not only your dog but your whole family.
There are numerous deworming options on the market depending on their composition, their specialisation in one or several types of parasites, their chemical composition or one based on natural ingredients such as citronella, their method of application, the time they take to act… but the two most used are collars and pipettes.
Pipettes
Pipettes come in easy-to-apply single-dose containers. You just have to open the ampoule and apply the contents between the dog’s shoulders (and along the spine if it is a large dog), where it cannot reach to lick itself, always parting the fur so that the liquid falls directly onto the skin.
As well as the simple application, other advantages of pipettes are their fast action and their great effectiveness as a curing method, when the dog is already infected by some type of parasite.
Their disadvantages are their short duration, as you must apply it every four weeks, and their low resistance to contact with water. In addition, some of them can have a rather strong smell during the first few hours after application.
Collars
The advantages of antiparasitic collars are their long duration, thanks to the slow release of the active ingredient (up to eight months of effectiveness in the case of Seresto, which is currently the collar with the longest useful life on the market), and their great resistance in case your little friend is one of those who bathe even in the smallest puddle in the park. It is also safer if there are small children at home, since, in general, it is not toxic if touched, nor does it give off a smell.
Unlike pipettes, the main disadvantage in the case of collars is their low effectiveness as a curing method, which is why they are used above all as a prevention method.
And both?
Although you must not forget to protect your dog all year round, during the warm months with a greater presence of parasites, if you live in endemic areas or if you are very keen on going on trips to the countryside, you can reinforce the protection by combining both options, but always bearing in mind not to exceed the indicated doses.
Precautions when using them
Whichever option you choose, you always have to take into account your dog’s weight and age and follow the application instructions indicated in the leaflet included in the packaging.
In addition, at the slightest sign of allergy or irritation in the application area, especially if it is the first time you use it, do not hesitate to consult your trusted vet.
