Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the innovative Fort Dodge products for cats and dogs only available through a veterinarian?

These products are only available through practicing veterinarians involved in an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Fort Dodge established a veterinarian-only sales policy for their innovative products because it believes veterinarians should be pet owners' primary source of information to help ensure the health and well-being of their companion animals.

I've heard metaflumizone is a new ingredient being used for flea control. How does it work?

The innovative Fort Dodge products for dogs and cats are the only products available to control fleas that contain the active ingredient metaflumizone, a unique compound in the animal health industry. Its mode of action attacks the flea's nervous system by blocking voltage-dependent sodium channels, which results in paralysis and death of the flea.

Amitraz is well known for its ability to protect dogs against ticks. How does it work?

Amitraz kills ticks by disrupting nerve function resulting in paralysis and death of the tick.

What species of ticks does the product for dogs kill?

The product for dogs is licensed against:

Does the product for cats work against ticks as well?

No, the product for cats is only registered for the treatment and prevention of fleas, for this is the most important ectoparasite in cats. If your cat is infested with ticks as well, please consult your veterinarian.

How often should I use the product for dogs? How often should I use the product for cats?

While monthly application is commonly recommended for effective control of fleas and ticks on dogs, and fleas on cats, always consult with your veterinarian about the health of your pet and use Fort Dodge products as directed by your veterinarian.

I've been using another flea and/or flea and tick product. Do I need to read the instructions about how to use the innovative Fort Dodge products?

Yes. Any time you use a new product, it is always important to clearly understand how and where it is to be used. This helps ensure it works as effectively and safely as possible. Product application: instructions are as follows:

Application technique for dogs:

Application technique for cats:

I've heard good things about the innovative applicator. Tell me about it.

Fort Dodge devoted considerable time to the design of the packaging for the spot on products to make it easy to use for pet owners. One of the advanced packaging features includes a novel nozzle design that helps minimize "splash back" and helps prevent the dose from spilling out, even when inverted, until the pet owner is ready to apply the product. Label information, such as species, size and weight range, is printed on every applicator for accurate dosing. The rounded applicator nozzle reduces the risk of skin abrasions during product application.

Should the dog product be used on cats?

No. The product for dogs should only be used on dogs or puppies 8 weeks of age and older. Make sure to use the appropriate size applicator for your pet.

Should the cat product be used on dogs?

No. The product for cats should only be used on cats or kittens 8 weeks of age and older. Make sure to use the appropriate size applicator for your pet.

Is the product still effective if a dog jumps into a lake or swimming pool immediately after its application?

Yes. A study was conducted where dogs were treated with the innovative Fort Dodge product for dogs then immersed in water at different time intervals. The study results showed this product continued to work even after exposure to water.

I shampoo my dog regularly. How soon after application can a dog be bathed with shampoo without removing ProMeris for dogs?

In general, shampooing dogs that have been treated with topically applied flea and tick control products results in the removal of some active ingredient. Therefore, it is generally recommended to minimize bathing with shampoo when using these products. Because of variances in dogs and shampoos, please consult with your veterinarian if you have questions about the most appropriate time to shampoo your dog following administration the innovative product for dogs.

My dog grooms itself a lot. What will happen if a dog licks the product for dogs?

While the product is still wet, dogs are not likely to voluntarily lick this product from themselves or other animals. During our studies, the few dogs that licked the product from themselves responded with head shaking, licking, lethargy or salivation. All of these responses resolved without treatment. When used as directed, it should be difficult for dogs to lick the product given it is to be applied between the shoulder blades. Once the product has dried, there are no concerns about your dog's grooming activities.

I currently use a collar with Amitraz in it. Can this spot on product for dogs be used on dogs wearing Amitraz collars?

While we recommend the use of our innovative product for dogs without the Amitraz collar, we have conducted a safety study and found no adverse events were observed when these products were used simultaneously. Because Amitraz collars are commonly used to kill ticks on dogs and the spot on product for dogs also kills ticks, one would not expect the use of these collars to provide more tick control than the use of the spot on for dogs by itself. Dogs wearing an Amitraz collar can be transitioned to spot on for dogs by removing the collar and then applying the spot on for dogs.

Can cats live in the same household with dogs treated with the product for dogs?

Yes, study results from field trials demonstrated cats can commingle with dogs treated with the product for dogs. No adverse responses were observed in these cats.

Can very small dogs be treated with the product for dogs?

Yes, the innovative product for dogs is gentle enough to be used in small dogs. A study was conducted in Chihuahua dogs older than 8 weeks of age weighing between 1.2 and 4.9 pounds to specifically address this question. To ensure very small dogs receive the appropriate dose of the product for dogs, Fort Dodge offers an extra small (XS) size.

Should the products be used in geriatric dogs or cats?

Both products have been used in many older dogs and cats in field studies. In these cases, product performance was not influenced by age. Healthy older dogs and cats, therefore, can be treated. The products have not been studied in geriatric dogs and geriatric cats with chronic diseases.

What is the risk to people exposed to dogs recently treated with these innovative products?

The products have been designed to disperse quickly at the skin's surface, which makes accidental exposure to people less likely. Pet owners should follow all label directions and refrain from direct contact with the product and the application site until the treatment site has dried. If a person is exposed to product liquid while treating or petting dogs, he/she should follow the first aid advice on the package (e.g., washing hands). If the product is accidentally consumed, that person is advised to follow all first aid directions on the package, including informing a poison control center and following all of its instructions.

Will the products damage carpet, upholstery, flooring, etc.?

They have been tested to determine if it will harm common objects found around the home. These studies found a negligible to slight tendency to stain lighter colors of fabric, carpet or upholstery. The product may also reduce the gloss on acrylic finger nails. To minimize these possibilities, contact between the treated area and fabrics, upholstery or carpets should be avoided until the area has dried.

After I treat my pet with the innovative Fort Dodge products for dogs or for cats, what will the application site look like?

Hair at the site may look wet or unruly for a day or so, which is similar to that of other topical spot-on products.

I am a pet owner and have questions about these Fort Dodge products. Whom should I call?

Always discuss any questions regarding your pet's health with your veterinarian first.

The new label claim for killing Demodex mites recommends monthly application of ProMeris DuoŽ for dogs. In some of the studies conducted ProMeris DuoŽ for dogs was applied every two weeks. Should I use ProMeris DuoŽ monthly or every two weeks?

The approved treatment interval when using ProMeris DuoŽ to kill Demodex mites is once a month. Based on our work, we believe monthly treatment should be adequate for most patients. If your patient failsto respond with this interval please contact the FDAH technical support person.

How soon after treatment should I start seeing clinical effects? At what point do I assume the product is not working?

You should see clinical improvement by the next scheduled monthly treatment. If the patient does not show a good response after two to three treatments, further clinical response is unlikely.

Should I use ProMeris DuoŽ alone to kill Demodex mites, or do I need to use other supportive therapies?

While our research studies were designed to use ProMeris DuoŽ as the only therapeutic intervention, your Demodex mite management program should be directed by the signs of disease in your patient. The use of other supportive therapies in conjunction with ProMeris DuoŽ is not contraindicated.

How long do I have to treat patients with ProMeris DuoŽ to adequately kill and control Demodex mites?

The general advice for Demodex mite control programs is to treat dogs until you have two consecutive negative skin scrapings. The most common interval for these skin scrapings is two to four weeks. Because many dogs also need routine control of fleas and ticks, you might consider keeping your patients on ProMeris DuoŽ year-round. ProMeris DuoŽ used once a month will provide your patients excellent levels of flea and tick control all year long.

I have been treating a dog with demodectic mange with another product. How long should I wait before treating it with ProMeris DuoŽ ?

You should wait until the next scheduled treatment is indicated, then apply the first dose of ProMeris DuoŽ.

I have a dog with demodectic mange that is being bathed every week with a medicated shampoo. How often should I use ProMeris DuoŽ in this patient?

Our studies on dogs with Demodex mites used ProMeris DuoŽ as the only therapeutic agent. Therefore, we have no precise data on the product’s performance in demodectic dogs that are bathed weekly. As with most topically applied treatments, bathing may reduce residual efficacy. Therefore, better results may be achieved if the amount of bathing is reduced. The approved treatment interval for ProMeris DuoŽ is once a month.

Can I use ProMeris DuoŽ in cats infested with Demodex mites?

No. ProMeris DuoŽ should only be used in dogs.