What is the injection for fleas on cats called? - briefly
The injectable flea medication for cats is known as a flea‑control injection, commonly marketed under the brand name Bravecto (fluralaner). It is administered by a veterinarian to provide long‑lasting protection against fleas.
What is the injection for fleas on cats called? - in detail
The injectable flea control product approved for cats is Bravecto® injectable (fluralaner). It is a sterile solution administered by a veterinarian as a single sub‑cutaneous dose.
The preparation contains fluralaner, a systemic ectoparasiticide that binds to γ‑aminobutyric acid‑gated chloride channels in the nervous system of fleas and ticks, causing paralysis and death. After injection, the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body, providing continuous protection.
Key characteristics:
- Dosage: 0.5 mg/kg body weight, injected in the scruff of the neck.
- Efficacy period: up to 12 weeks against Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea) and several tick species.
- Onset of action: flea killing begins within 24 hours of administration.
- Safety profile: well‑tolerated in healthy adult cats; adverse events may include mild swelling at the injection site or transient lethargy.
- Contraindications: not recommended for kittens under 8 weeks, cats weighing less than 1 kg, or animals with known hypersensitivity to fluralaner or any formulation component.
- Interactions: no known drug‑drug interactions; concurrent use of other systemic ectoparasitic agents is discouraged to avoid additive toxicity.
- Regulatory status: approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for feline use.
Administration requires a veterinary visit, proper restraint, and sterile technique. Owners should monitor the injection site for inflammation and report any abnormal behavior. The product eliminates the need for monthly oral or topical treatments, simplifying long‑term flea management for cats.