Revolution vs Bravecto
As a pet parent, keeping your beloved feline or canine friend free from pests such as fleas and ticks is one of your primary responsibilities. But with so many options in the market, it can be challenging to decide which product best suits your pet’s needs. Two popular choices that veterinarians often recommend are Revolution and Bravecto.
Understanding Revolution and Bravecto
Revolution (Selamectin) and Bravecto (Fluralaner) are two well-known pet products designed to protect your pet from parasites. Revolution is a once-a-month topical treatment, while Bravecto comes in a chewable tablet form for dogs and topical treatment for cats, both lasting up to 12 weeks.
Head-to-Head: Revolution vs Bravecto
Spectrum of Coverage
Revolution is a broad-spectrum medication that targets fleas, ticks, ear mites, roundworms, and heartworms in both cats and dogs. It also treats sarcoptic mange in dogs and prevents flea eggs from hatching.
On the other hand, Bravecto is potent against fleas and ticks, providing immediate and persistent killing activity for 12 weeks. For cats, Bravecto also targets ear mites.
Application and Duration of Effectiveness
One of the major differences between the two is their method of administration and duration of effectiveness. Revolution is applied topically once a month. It’s a quick-drying, non-greasy solution, minimizing the chance of it rubbing off.
Bravecto for dogs is given orally in a chewable tablet, making it easy for pet owners who struggle with topical applications. It offers protection against fleas and ticks for 12 weeks, reducing the number of doses required per year. For cats, Bravecto is available as a topical solution.
Safety Profiles
Both products are generally considered safe. Revolution is approved for use in dogs 6 weeks or older and cats 8 weeks or older, while Bravecto is approved for dogs 6 months or older and cats 6 months or older.
It’s important to note that while both medications are safe, rare side effects can occur. With Revolution, side effects might include temporary hair loss at the application site, while Bravecto may occasionally cause vomiting or diarrhea, especially in dogs.
Always consult your vet before starting any new medication, particularly if your pet is aged, breeding, pregnant, nursing, or has any ongoing health conditions.
Efficacy
Both Revolution and Bravecto have high efficacy rates. Revolution starts working in just 36 hours, and by day 3, it kills 98% of the fleas on pets. Bravecto starts killing fleas within 2 hours and ticks in 12 hours in dogs, and fleas within 12 hours and ticks in 48 hours in cats, providing 12-week protection.
Final Thoughts: Revolution or Bravecto?
Choosing between Revolution and Bravecto depends on your pet’s specific needs and lifestyle. If you’re looking for a broad-spectrum parasite prevention that covers both external and internal parasites, Revolution could be the answer. However, if your primary concern is flea and tick protection with less frequent dosing, Bravecto might be the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Use Revolution and Bravecto Together?
As a rule of thumb, combining medications should always be done under the guidance of a professional veterinarian. While both Revolution and Bravecto target pests such as fleas and ticks, they have different active ingredients and cover different spectrums of parasites. Overlapping their usage without professional guidance could potentially lead to an overdose or adverse reactions.
2. How Do These Treatments Affect the Environment?
Both Revolution and Bravecto are EPA-approved, meaning they have been evaluated for environmental safety. However, any pesticide can potentially contribute to environmental contamination. Pet parents should follow the application instructions carefully to minimize environmental impact. Used tubes and packaging should be disposed of correctly to prevent wildlife exposure.
3. Can I Use These Products on Pregnant or Lactating Pets?
Revolution has been proven safe for pregnant and lactating dogs and cats. However, the safety of Bravecto in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs and cats has not been established. It is advisable to consult with your veterinarian before starting any new medication regimen for a pregnant or nursing pet.
4. How Long After Bathing My Pet Can I Apply These Products?
For Revolution, it’s recommended to wait at least two hours after bathing your pet or until your pet is completely dry. With Bravecto, because it’s an oral treatment for dogs, bathing is not a concern. For cats, Bravecto topical solution should be applied to dry skin and it’s advisable to avoid bathing or swimming for 3 days after application.
5. What Happens if I Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose of Revolution, it’s recommended to administer it as soon as you remember, and then resume a monthly schedule. For Bravecto, if a dose is missed, give it as soon as you remember, and then continue the 12-week schedule. Always consult your veterinarian if you’ve missed a dose and are uncertain about how to proceed.
6. How Quickly do These Products Work?
Revolution starts to kill adult fleas within 36 hours of application. For heartworm prevention, it is effective if applied within 1 month of the pet’s exposure to mosquitoes (the vector for heartworm).
Bravecto starts killing fleas within 2 hours in dogs and 12 hours in cats, and starts killing ticks within 12 hours in dogs and 48 hours in cats. The protection against fleas and ticks lasts for 12 weeks.
7. Can I Use These Products for Puppies or Kittens?
Yes, but age restrictions apply. Revolution can be used on puppies and kittens from 6 weeks (dogs) or 8 weeks (cats) of age, while Bravecto can be used on dogs from 6 months and cats from 6 months of age. It is always important to consult with your veterinarian before starting any new treatment.
8. Are There Any Common Side Effects with These Treatments?
While both Revolution and Bravecto are generally safe for most pets, side effects can occur. For Revolution, some pets may experience temporary hair loss at the application site, and less commonly, pets may experience digestive upset or lethargy. Severe reactions are rare but can include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, and lack of coordination.
Common side effects of Bravecto in dogs include vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, polydipsia, and flatulence. In cats, these can include vomiting, itching, diarrhea, hair loss, decreased appetite, lethargy, and scabs/ulcerated lesions.
9. Are These Products Effective Against All Types of Fleas and Ticks?
Revolution is effective against adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for a full month. It also controls American Dog Tick infestations in dogs. However, it does not cover all types of ticks.
Bravecto provides broader coverage against fleas and several species of ticks. In dogs, it’s effective against Black-Legged Ticks, American Dog Ticks, Brown Dog Ticks, and Lone Star Ticks. In cats, it’s effective against Black-Legged Ticks and American Dog Ticks.
10. How Do I Store These Products?
Both products should be stored at room temperature, away from heat sources, and out of the reach of children and pets. They should not be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Direct sunlight should be avoided to prevent degradation of the product.
11. What If My Pet Is on Other Medications?
Before starting any new treatment, you should always inform your veterinarian about any other medications your pet is taking. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products. Some drugs may interact with Revolution or Bravecto, affecting their effectiveness or leading to side effects.
12. Are There Any Breed-Specific Concerns with These Treatments?
While both Revolution and Bravecto are safe for most breeds, some dogs and cats may have breed-specific sensitivities. For example, some herding breeds have a genetic mutation (MDR1) that makes them more sensitive to certain medications. Always consult with your vet about breed-specific concerns.
13. Can Pregnant or Nursing Pets Use Revolution or Bravecto?
Revolution has been shown to be safe for use in pregnant and nursing dogs and cats. On the other hand, the safety of Bravecto has not been established in breeding, pregnant, and lactating cats. It’s always crucial to consult your vet before starting any new medication in these circumstances.
14. Are These Treatments Safe for Kittens and Puppies?
Revolution is safe to use on puppies and kittens as young as 6 weeks old. Bravecto’s chewable tablets can be given to dogs that are 6 months or older and weigh at least 4.4 lbs, while the topical solution can be used on kittens and puppies as young as 8 weeks and weighing at least 2.6 lbs (for cats) or 4.4 lbs (for dogs).
15. What Should I Do If My Pet Misses a Dose?
If you forget to administer a dose of Revolution or Bravecto, it’s recommended to apply the medication as soon as you remember. However, don’t double-dose to make up for the missed application. Instead, resume the regular schedule and discuss with your vet if any additional measures are needed.
16. What Happens If My Pet Accidentally Ingests These Products?
If your pet accidentally ingests Revolution or Bravecto, immediate veterinary attention is required. Signs of overdose can include vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, excessive salivation, tremors, or seizures. It’s important to keep these products out of reach of pets and children.
17. How Long Does It Take for These Treatments to Work?
Revolution starts killing fleas within 36 hours of application, while Bravecto begins to kill fleas within 2 hours in dogs and 12 hours in cats. For tick prevention, Bravecto starts killing ticks within 12 hours (dogs) and 48 hours (cats).
18. Can I Use These Products If My Pet Has Skin Conditions?
If your pet has existing skin conditions, consult your vet before using Revolution or Bravecto. While these products are generally safe, irritation at the application site may occur, potentially worsening skin issues. Always monitor your pet’s reaction to a new treatment, especially if they have a history of skin problems.
