Fleas are both bothersome and irritating. They can aggravate flea-allergic pets, spread disease, and cause plenty of other issues for your pets. Furthermore, noticing fleas on dogs makes us feel unclean and disappointed. While there are several excellent prescription flea medicines available, you choose to purchase the Capstar pill. Unfortunately, the drug didn’t work as intended, and you are now blaming it for your dog’s death. This article will go over Capstar in greater detail, including how it can result in the death of a pet, its side effects, how you can repel fleas naturally, and more.
What is Capstar®(Nitenpyram)?
Capstar® (nitenpyram) is a fast-acting oral medicine used to treat fleas in cats and dogs. Capstar® kills adult fleas before they can lay eggs and breed, resulting in an infestation. Within 30 minutes of administration, the drug starts to operate, and within a few hours, it has killed over 90% of adult fleas. Capstar® can be safely coupled with other flea prevention medications that eliminate larval fleas on the pet and in the environment if fleas have already infected your pet’s coat. There are different Capstar formulas appropriate for pets of various sizes. Therefore, it’s vital to choose one that fits your dog’s size.
Capstar Killed My Dog
When used according to the stated dosage and guidelines, Capstar is considered safe. However, below are some circumstances in which Capstar could cause injury or even death to a dog:
1. Overdose: Giving a higher dose than recommended or several doses in a short period can result in an overdose, which can be harmful to the dog’s health.
2. Allergic Reactions: Although uncommon, dogs can be allergic to the primary ingredient in Capstar, nitenpyram. Itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or even anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction, are all symptoms of an allergic reaction.
3. Use in Puppies: Capstar is not recommended for puppies under four weeks old or weighing less than two pounds. Capstar use in very young or undersized puppies may have negative consequences.
4. Underlying Health issues: Certain underlying health issues, such as severe heart disease, may make Capstar ineffective in dogs. Before giving Capstar to a dog with pre-existing health problems, see a veterinarian.
5. Drug Interactions: If a dog is already taking other medications, Capstar may cause drug interactions. If your dog is taking other medications, always consult with a veterinarian.
When using Capstar or any flea medication on your dog, it is critical to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, contact a veterinarian if you have any concerns, and watch your dog for any symptoms of ill effects. Seek immediate veterinarian assistance if you feel your dog has had a poor response to Capstar.
Is Capstar Safe for Dogs?
Yes, Capstar is safe for dogs. It is a flea medication that has received FDA approval and works quickly and effectively to kill adult fleas. Many studies have proven that it is safe for dogs of all ages, even puppies as young as four weeks old.
Veterinarians have been prescribing Capstar for more than 20 years, and it is regarded as one of the best flea treatments on the market.
Efficacy
The label for Capstar states that it is quickly absorbed and achieves its peak blood concentration in both cats and dogs 1 hour after administration. Within 6 hours, the drug kills more than 98% of the fleas on the animal, and all adult fleas die within 24 hours.
In a single clinical experiment, 123 cats and 88 dogs were used to test the effectiveness of nitenpyram tablets against flea infestations. The study’s results revealed that fleas began to fall off the study animals 30 minutes after treatment and that nitenpyram was 95.2 percent effective on cats 6 hours later. During the clinical experiment, no adverse effects of nitenpyram were seen in animals.
How Capstar® Works
The primary component in tobacco, nicotine, is identical to nitenpyram, which is prescribed for dogs and cats. It affects the central nervous system of adult fleas to cause their death, but it has no impact on flea eggs or larvae. The pet’s bloodstream is quickly accessed by Capstar. The moment a flea bites the animal after taking Capstar, the flea dies.
Capstar has an impact on the central nervous system of the parasite, causing it to drop off and die. If necessary, Capstar can be administered to a pet every other day or so to get rid of the flea infestation. In the United States, it can be purchased without a prescription because it is over-the-counter. Before giving your pet any medication, always consult your veterinarian. Additional doses of Capstar® and other preventative flea treatments could be required to get rid of infestations because Capstar doesn’t treat fleas in their immature stages.
How is Capstar administered?
Nitenpyram is administered orally in the form of tablets. It comes as unflavored tablets that can either be combined with food or given directly to your dog.
Improvement in clinical symptoms should happen shortly after this medication starts working, in around 1 to 2 hours.
However, it is best to avoid providing more than one tablet every day. Additionally, after giving your pet the formula, you should continue monitoring them. It may also make them thirsty, so provide them with lots of water.
Until all fleas have been eradicated, each pill should be administered every two days. Since a flea has a three-day hatching life cycle, it’s critical to give the medication consistently until results are seen. Capstar must be used in conjunction with other preventative methods to effectively eradicate fleas from your home.
Do Vets Recommend Capstar for Cats?
Capstar is highly recommended by veterinarians for dogs. It is a simple-to-use, non-prescription flea medication that works quickly. You don’t have to wait around while your dog suffers from flea bites because the tablet is administered orally and starts functioning within 30 minutes.
Dogs, puppies older than four weeks old, pregnant dogs, and nursing dogs can all safely use Capstar.
Capstar Dosage
CAPSTAR is given orally at the minimal dose of 1mg nitenpyram per kg body weight according to the following table:
| Weight (kg) | Tablets |
| Cats 2 t0 25 lbs Pink | 1 tablet of CAPSTAR 11.4mg |
| Dogs 2 to 25 lbs Blue | 1 tablet of CAPSTAR 57.0mg |
| Dogs 25.1 to 125 lbs Green | Dogs over 57 kg are given an appropriate combination of tablets. |
What Are Capstar’s Side Effects?
Although Capstar use in dogs is generally safe and well tolerated, there are some possible negative effects. These consist of:
Vomiting: The most frequent adverse reaction associated with the usage of CapStar in dogs is vomiting. Give your dog another dose immediately if they vomits within an hour of ingesting the tablet since it may have been removed before it had a chance to work. Stop administering the drug if vomiting continues or happens more than once, and call your veterinarian immediately as your dog might be allergic to nitenpyram or otherwise unable to take it.
Diarrhea: Although less often than vomiting, diarrhea has also been linked to the use of CapStar. Contact your veterinarian if your dog develops diarrhea after taking CapStar, but otherwise, give the medication as prescribed.
Lethargy: After taking CapStar, some cats may experience lethargy or exhibit “out of sorts” behavior. Contact your veterinarian immediately if this adverse effect persists or seems severe as it is often moderate and transient.
Appetite Loss: Some cats who take CapStar may have an appetite loss.
Rubbing and Scratching: Capstar begins to operate immediately after you administer it to your pet. In some circumstances, it might begin to destroy any adult, living fleas on your pet’s body in just a few hours. It’s usual for your pet to experience a little discomfort as this is happening.
As a result, your pet may frequently scratch himself with his paws or rub other parts of his body against walls, furniture, floors, or other objects. Since your pet is reacting to the fleas on his body as they die, this behavior isn’t a side effect of the medication. However, it’s frequently related to Capstar use, so be aware that if your pet exhibits this behavior after you administer the medication, it’s not unusual.
Allergic Reactions: The only other major concern for pet owners who opt to administer Capstar to their dogs is the possibility of an allergic reaction. If your pet is allergic to nitenpyram or any of the other components of the medication, you will probably notice the symptoms of his allergic response shortly after giving him his first dose. When administering this medication to your pet for the first time, you must watch out for these symptoms because some allergic responses can be extremely severe and even fatal:
- Choking
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Loss of consciousness
- Change in gait or dizziness
Prepare to bring your pet to the vet’s office for an urgent examination if you notice any of these symptoms or any other indications that you believe may be connected to a potential allergic reaction.
Pros And Cons Of Capstar Flea Treatment
Pros
Extremely effective: When compared to competing products, it is extremely effective. Fleas can be eliminated with the Capstar flea treatment in just twenty-four hours.
Convenience: Because it may be hidden in your pet’s favorite treat, it is simple to use.
Instant: Some flea remedies take some time to operate, giving adult fleas time to multiply. Capstar, on the other hand, will begin eliminating fleas immediately.
Cons
Not a long-term solution: The formula’s quick action also means that its effects are temporary. If you wish to stop a reinfestation, you must combine it with a long-term flea control method.
Some pets don’t like the taste: Many dog owners report in their Capstar reviews that their pets refuse to take the pills because some dogs don’t enjoy the flavor.
Nitenpyram side effects: The manufacturer acknowledges that the compound’s main adverse impact could be excessive scratching.
How Long Do the Side Effects of Capstar Last in Dogs?
Capstar side effects last for 12 to 24 hours. Your dog will likely return to normal after that.
Monitor your pet carefully while they are receiving the medication if you are unsure whether they are suffering any side effects. Any symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, or a lack of appetite should be kept an eye out for. Additionally, watch out for frequent urination or extreme thirst.
How Long Does Capstar Last on Dogs?
Adult fleas are killed by a single dose of Capstar within 30 minutes, and the medication is effective for 24 hours. One dose of Capstar will eradicate all fleas from your dog’s body within a day if it has any.
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or breathing difficulties may be signs of an adverse reaction in your dog to the drug. Please call your veterinarian immediately if you observe any of these symptoms after providing Capstar to your dog.
What else you could do to get rid of fleas?
Apply a long-lasting spot-on flea treatment (such as Frontline Plus) or a pill that kills the larval stages of fleas and prevents their re-infestation after giving Capstar.
Invest in a flea shampoo. Flea eggs will be destroyed by using them to wash your pet, preventing them from growing into adult bugs.
Don’t rush the process of bathing your pet. Take your time so that the shampoo has a chance to benefit your pet with fleas.
The earliest way of eliminating external parasites is using a flea comb. Use it to groom your pet, particularly following a flea shampoo bath.
Fleas frequently hide in corners and crevices where they can deposit their eggs. The removal of flea larvae requires regular tasks such as vacuuming the carpets, pet beds, sofas, etc.
For your pet to have a healthy, flea-free life, you must regularly wash any items he or she uses to sit or sleep, such as mattress covers and pillowcases.
Overall, Capstar is very effective for both dogs and felines. Along with applying flea preventives, you might need to adhere to the above advice to keep the area around your pets clean. Your home and pet may eventually be clear of these bothersome fleas completely.
Natural Flea Treatment
Pet owners can choose from a variety of practical natural flea-removal methods. This is because salt and essential oils are frequently found in cabinets.
Many dog owners prefer using natural therapies instead of administering drugs to their dogs. The use of coconut oil or apple cider vinegar on your dog, however, may do more harm than good.
In most cases, you can find home cures there. As a result, they might be able to help you with your current issue. However, using these methods to naturally avoid dog fleas is ineffective.
Just because something is natural doesn’t guarantee that it’s safe. They might even be harmful to your pet. Always consult your vet before using any natural flea remedy on your dog. The following are some well-known all-natural flea remedies:
Apple Cider Vinegar
According to one notion, fleas dislike the taste or smell of apple cider vinegar. So many pet owners spray their pets with a mixture that has been water-diluted to ward against fleas. However, this doesn’t completely repel fleas and doesn’t immediately eliminate fleas on dogs.
Baking Soda And Salt
A mixture of water, baking soda, and salt is recommended as a flea-removal solution. Pet owners apply the paste to their animal, let it sit for a while, and then vacuum it off.
This isn’t a reliable approach to getting rid of fleas and won’t stop them from infecting your pet in the first place, like other natural remedies.
Coconut oil
The skin and coat can be improved with coconut oil. It can, still, be used to suffocate and repel fleas.
Coconut oil applied externally to your dog’s skin will smother and conceal the flea. However, it might be cumbersome to maintain and inconvenient when you need a quick fix.
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth works by spreading the powder throughout your house and then vacuuming it up along with the fleas. However, pet owners frequently use it wrongly or excessively. Pets should not be immediately exposed to it. Additionally, inhaling may harm the lungs.
Garlic
Because of its sulfuric character, garlic is an all-natural remedy that is fed to pets to repel bugs. Garlic, on the other hand, is difficult to dose effectively and can be poisonous to your dog.
Baths regularly
Aside from these goods, bathing your pet with shampoo may appear to assist you in getting rid of fleas. However, a bath water and shampoo mixture usually only kills adult fleas. Even professional grooming will not address your problem if you do not treat the surroundings properly.