Program Tablets

Program Tablets For Dogs

Program tablets for dogs are manufactured by Novartis Animal Health Australasia.

Program tablets are given orally once a month to help in the treatment and control of fleas. Whilst Program does not kill adult fleas, it does play a role in reducing the overall flea burden in a household. Program will prevent any flea eggs laid by an affected flea (that being a flea which has bitten a treated dog) from hatching, thus reducing the overall flea population within a household.

Program products for cats should be used concurrently for any cats in the household.

Rapid kill flea products may be required in the initial stages of treatment to help remove heavy flea burdens in the environment.

How to Use Program Tablets

Program tablets should be given orally once a month with food according to the dosage on the product packaging.

All dogs and cats in the household must be treated at the same time with a Program product to ensure maximal effect.

Program tablets should be used as part of an integrated flea control program which also includes rapid kill products such as Capstar and environmental treatment.

Program Tablets Pack Sizes

Program tablets for dogs come in 3 sizes

• Small dogs - less than 6.7kg
• Medium dogs - 6.8-20kg
• Large dogs - 21-40kg
• Dogs over 40.1kg - use the appropriate combination of tablets according to weight.

Tips and Tricks for Using Program Tablets

When initially learning to dose a dog orally, owners may benefit from a lesson from their veterinarian or a veterinary nurse. The trick to successful oral dosing with tablets is to ensure that the tablet is placed as far back in the mouth and in the centre as possible. The mouth should then be held closed and the throat stroked until the animal swallows the medication. Some dogs are masters at hiding tablets or spitting them out so it is essential to check the dog's oral cavity after dosing to ensure the tablet has been swallowed and the full dose given.

Pill poppers are a very useful product to help ensure that the medication can be placed deep in the oral cavity without requiring the owner's fingers to venture that far into the mouth.

Having another person available at the time of dosing can be of great benefit for many owners. The helper should ensure that the dog cannot run away during the dosing and preventing the animal from backing away can also be beneficial.

Some dogs (especially those who love their food) can be tricked by hiding the tablet in a small amount of treat food. However the owner must ensure that the full dose is taken and swallowed by the animal.

Active Ingredients of Program Tablets

Program tablets contain the active ingredient Lufenuron which is a flea development inhibitor.

Contraindications and Warnings for Program Tablets

All dogs and cats in a household must be treated concurrently with a Program product for full effectiveness.

The product does not kill fleas so a flea adulticide product such as Capstar may be required during the initial phase of treatment and on occasion during the flea season.