I’m thinking of getting the cat’s worm and flea treatment online, rather than from the vet. In the UK, he had Bravecto for fleas etc.
Am I right in thinking French treatments will be formulated slightly differently?
What treatments do others use?
When we had Syd, we could only get Bravecto from the vet. I wouldn’t think they’re formulated differently, but greater control (bit like the pharmacie and drugs, tabac and fags)
Bravecto is prescription only online - vets will sell over the counter mind.
I use Seresto collars on cats and dogs. They are available online …but there’s a lot of fakes. Zooplus is genuine - Amazon is a minefield (only use Amazon itself), everything on eBay is a fake. Basically if it’s cheap it’s a fake. They are expensive but spread over 6 months much cheaper than anything else that works
We used Bravecto while still in UK and continued since moving to France. Always supplied from our vets. Merck produce the same product in EU as UK.
I would always be wary of buying medicines, both for animals and humans, especially prescription items, over the internet because there are a surprising amount of fakes. You wouldn’t think it is worth making and sending fakes but the ‘industry’ suggests volume pays.
Fwiw, I remember an industrious use of fake eggs in China. Truly! Manmade shell containing a glutinous glob. And then we remember the milk augmented with melamine to achieve high protein ratings that poisoned babies in China. If people are not safe from greedy suppliers, then Heaven only knows what fakers are doing in the lucrative pet marketplace.
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Agree with everyone, if it’s cheaper on line it’s for a reason.
Buy from your vets - why jeopardise the health of your cat for a few euros?
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Interesting read
Our dogs are good at treating parasite cats.
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There seems to be a consensus - thanks, all!
I want to try Bravecto spot-on for one of my cats who has a flea allergy. I’ve tried other spot-on type treatments and Seresto in the past, but now they don’t work anymore.
I know that the concentration of Bravecto has to relate to a cat’s weight, and I know my cat’s weight. But a local vet said they won’t sell me Bravecto unless I bring my cat along to weigh her. I thought Bravecto was an owner applied spot-on 3-monthly flea treatment.
Does my cat really need a vet to examine her before prescribing Bravecto spot-on for flea treatment?
I think Bravecto is a prescription only medication and only available in vets in France, unless that’s changed now. You have to take the cat to the vet to get it. One of our cats has Bravecto as he had a reaction to another tablet based flea treatment and loads of fur fell out of his belly and his upper legs.
I just received an email from my usual vet who said I can come and buy Bravecto SpotOn at his clinic, so will go visit later this afternoon. There is I believe an injectable Bravecto version which will need an RDV and maybe I misunderstood the first vet I rang this morning who said I’d need an RDV.
The injectable Bravecto is I think for dogs whereas the spot on is for cats. We buy six months worth of all treatments for both cats at a time. The younger cat has Credelio tablet for fleas and ticks but the older one reacted badly so he has Bravecto spot on.
You’re right, the injectable version is for dogs which makes me wonder why the vet clinic I phoned this morning said I need a RDV for my cat, for a spot-on Bravecto application. An RDV comes with a fat consultation fee – but can’t believe it’s for that reason. Hopefully just a misunderstanding.
Hot from the vet clinic this afternoon - Bravecto Spot-on for cats from 2.8kg to 6.25kg. For 2 cats 88.20€ for 3 months.
Hopes it works.
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First time I’ve used Bravecto. It comes with very fine folded up gloves - the solution is toxic enough to warrant wearing them, and smells a bit like superglue.
You twist the top on the tube, pulling gently until it moves. Then stop twisting and pulling - a small hole appears in the top through which the solution will pour when you squeeze the tube. The top remains in place – it doesn’t twist off as in other spot-on types.
You then press the tip onto the cat’s exposed skin near the base of the cat’s skull, on the back of the neck, and squeeze the tube.
Best read the instructions carefully.
Our cat hated the Bravecto experience. It always seemed messy to me - quite waxy - and I never felt I’d done a good job. I chose spot-on because I wasn’t confident about giving him a pill.
In fact, we both now prefer I give him a pill.
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It is messy, and sticky. The cat I treated was sitting on my lap later and I absentmindedly ran my fingers through his hair and then rushed away to wash my hands.
I might try the pill next time.
I decided I should learn because I’ll probably need to do it regularly at some stage. It’s become something we’re both happier with, which I hadn’t anticipated.
But I need to ensure Madame isn’t around when I do it.
This seems an appropriate moment to remind ourselves of this …
How to give a cat a pill:
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Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
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Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
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Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
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Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
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Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.
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Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat vigorously.
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Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
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Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil, and blow down drinking straw.
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Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
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Retrieve cat from neighbor’s shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door onto neck, to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
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Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of Scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
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Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.
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Tie the little @!!@#@#$%'s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of steak filet. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash pill down.
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Consume remainder of Scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and remove pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.
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Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.
How to give a dog a pill:
- Wrap it in cheese.
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