Pipettes are necessary to keep our dog protected against the main parasites, such as fleas, ticks and even some types of mosquitoes that cause diseases such as leishmaniasis.
But if we bathe our dog after pipetting, will it not lose this part of its effectiveness? Will soap and water remove the active substance from the pipette? Let’s see in detail everything you need to know to keep your dog well protected.
Index of contents
- 1 How do pipettes work?
- 2 Is it bad to bathe the dog after applying the pipette?
- 3 Can I bathe it before applying the pipette?
- 4 Are the pipettes waterproof?
- 5 Tips for applying the pipette
- 6 Is there a better alternative than the pipette?
How do pipettes work?
To know if it is advisable or not to bathe our dog after applying an atiparasitic pipette, we must first know how these work. Pipettes contain a liquid chemical active ingredient such as permethrin or fipronil, among others..
When we apply the pipette on the back of our dog (on the back of the neck and spine), the active ingredient adheres to the dog’s skin fat. In this way the active ingredient remains on the dog and in a certain way, it spreads.
The duration of protection offered by pipettes is directly related to the time that the active ingredient remains in our dog’s body.
Is it bad to bathe the dog after applying the pipette?
When we bathe our dog, in addition to removing dirt that may have on his hair and skin, it also removes the cutaneous fat that he has throughout his body. So if we have a pipette, its active ingredient will disappear or will be reduced, making protection against fleas and ticks is practically nil.
Some manufacturers (see pipette packaging) allow the dog to be bathed two or three days after applying the pipette. But, in a way the efficiency of the pipette will be reduced equally.
So in the beginning, it is best not to bathe our dog after applying the pipette. So that it remains protected against the main parasites. We should only bathe it if it is absolutely necessary.
Can I bathe it before applying the pipette?
Yes, we can bathe our dog before adding the protective pipette. But, with the bath we will eliminate a large part of its skin fat, so we must wait two to three days after bathing, before we put the pipette on.
In this way the skin fat will have regenerated and if we apply a pipette, its active ingredient will be able to adhere to it, making the protection prolonged. So if we want to bathe the dog, it is best to do it two or three days before putting the pipette on.
Are the pipettes waterproof?
Some manufacturers indicate that their pipettes are waterproof, but the truth is that they refer to the dog accidentally getting a little wet. If we bathe a dog, logically it will lose part of the active principle and, therefore, part of the protection against fleas, ticks or mosquitoes.
Tips for applying the pipette
Before putting the pipette on our dog we must make sure that it is clean, if it is not, the best thing is to bathe it, wait a few days and then put the pipette on. We should never put a pipette if our dog has some type of dermatitis or an open wound.
- How often can you bathe a dog?
It is recommended to brush our dog well to remove dirt and / or dead hair, before putting the pipette on. Remember to apply the pipette according to the manufacturer’s instructions, along the dog’s back.
Always use pipettes adapted to the weight of the dog, since this way we will apply the exact amount of active ingredient that our dog needs. Applying less means losing protection and applying more can be a health problem for the dog, let’s not forget that pipettes are actually poison.
Wash your hands well after applying the pipette and do not pet your dog in the impregnated area for several days. The active substance in pipettes is very toxic to humans (and also to animals), do not allow another dog, even when playing, to bite or lick the area where you have put a pipette.
Remember that fleas can also be in your house, sofa, dog bed, floor … so in addition to protecting our dog, it is recommended remove fleas from home.
Is there a better alternative than the pipette?
Yes, in our opinion the use of antiparasitic pills is much cleaner and more effective. We only need to give our dog a pill once a month and it will be protected against fleas and ticks.
In this way, our dog will not have poison on its skin, making it much safer for him and for us. In addition, we can caress and bathe it without fear, whenever we want or the dog needs it. Antiparasitic tablets are as effective as pipettes (or more).