what are the various methods for treating ectoparasites?

Answer 1

you need to go to your vet and see which ones they reccomend,but on the whole frontline and stronghold are the best and easiest to use.the ones you buy at the pet shop are not as strong as these and don't do such a good job.

Answer 2

(For those that don't know, ectoparasites are those which reside outside the animal, e.g. ticks and fleas. If you are talking about internal parasites such as roundworms, the term is endoparasites.)

There are many ways. Some people like to add garlic or other 'natural' preventatives to animals' food. However this has not been shown to be truly effective. Also, garlic and onion can be dangerous, causing the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells and thus causing anemia.
There are still flea powders, sprays, and dips around, as well as flea shampoos. There are also many different sprays, foggers, and 'bombs' for inside the house and different granules and sprays for outside the house. Although some are quite effective, prevention is the best treatment. It is so much easier to prevent a flea problem than try to eliminate them once they have become established in your house, yard, and on your pets.
Prevention now comes in many very effective, safe, and inexpensive forms. There are several topical preventatives which are easy to apply--a small amount of liquid is placed on the animal's skin. It then spreads over the animal's body (or, in the case of Revolution, is absorbed) thus preventing fleas and ticks from biting the animal. Revolution, although more expensive, prevents fleas and ticks as well as heartworm, ear mites, and some intestinal parasites. Other very good topicals are Frontline Plus and Advantix. I also like BioSpot, an inexpensive alternative. There is one pill, Program, which contains lufenuron, a chemical which prevents eggs and larvae from developing. Another one is Capstar, which is not a preventative but does kill biting fleas--if your pet is infested this is the quickest way to get rid of them.
You do need a veterinary prescription for any product that contains a heartworm preventative.
The most important thing when using any preventative (or any medication for that matter) is to be certain that you choose the right one: make sure you use the CAT version for cats only, and the DOG version for dogs only! It can be deadly to use dog medication for a cat! Also be sure that you have the right version depending on the age and weight of your pet. (This is why it is safest to visit your vet first!)

Answer 3

I use Stronghold,it covers so many things fleas,worms,heart worms and mange.I wouldn't use anything else you can only get it from your vet.If your dog gets mange badly then the vet would give you something to wash your dog in.But prevention is better than cure so get some stronghold it really does work.

Answer 4

Picking,regular spraying with rec chem,deny contact to others animals.