Selamectin: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antiparasitic

Also known as

Revolution, Stronghold

Species with doses

Dogs, Cats, Rabbits and Ferrets

General dose range

6–12 mg/kg Topical monthly — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

Topical

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Flea control and prevention
• Heartworm (Dirofilaria) prevention
• Ear mites (Otodectes), sarcoptic mange
• Feline roundworm / hookworm

Selamectin dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Dogs

• Flea / heartworm / mite prevention: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.1053 (Revolution label): 6 mg/kg minimum (label bands 6–12 mg/kg) topically every 30 days; sarcoptic mange/ear mites once, repeated in a month (many dermatologists repeat at 2–3 weeks); Cheyletiella every other week for 4 treatments (Mueller 2002).

Cats

• Flea / heartworm / ear mite / worm control: Papich 5e and Plumb’s p.1053 (label): 6 mg/kg topically every 30 days (preferred dose in cats); ear mites once, repeated in a month if needed; roundworms/hookworms once; Notoedres 6 mg/kg once (Arther 2009). 6 mg/kg is the minimum dose; the weight-banded tubes deliver roughly 6–12 mg/kg.

Rabbits

• Ear mites (Psoroptes cuniculi) / fur mites: Plumb's p.1053 (McTier et al. 2003): rabbits 6–18 mg/kg topically for ear mites; repeat in 2–4 weeks. Also used for Cheyletiella fur mites.

Ferrets

• Heartworm prevention / fleas / ear mites: Plumb's p.1053 (Johnson 2006): 18 mg/kg topically every 30 days for heartworm prevention; also controls fleas and Otodectes ear mites.

Contraindications

Do not apply to wet / broken skin. Caution in sick, debilitated or underweight animals. Not for pups / kittens < 6 weeks. Avoid in known avermectin-sensitive (ABCB1/MDR1 mutant) dogs at high doses — label topical dose is generally safe.

Adverse effects

• Transient local alopecia / irritation at application site
• Rare hypersalivation if licked

Drug interactions

• No significant drug interactions at the label dose
• Avoid stacking with other macrocyclic lactones at high doses, particularly in MDR1-mutant dogs

Pregnancy and lactation

Considered safe in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs and cats per label studies.

Monitoring

• Application-site skin reaction
• Heartworm status before starting in endemic areas

Toxicity and overdose

Very wide margin at topical doses, including in MDR1 dogs; licking the application site may cause transient hypersalivation. Massive ingestion could produce avermectin CNS signs (ataxia, mydriasis, tremor).

Clinical pearls

• One topical covers fleas, ear mites, sarcoptic mange and heartworm — a tidy single product for multi-pet households
• Apply to dry skin at the base of the neck so the animal cannot lick it off
• At the labelled topical dose it is safe even in collie-type MDR1 dogs

Mechanism of action

Avermectin (macrocyclic lactone). Binds glutamate-gated chloride channels in parasite nerve and muscle → hyperpolarisation, paralysis and death of nematodes and arthropods. Absorbed transdermally and redistributed systemically, giving combined internal and external parasite cover from a topical dose.

Formulations and products

• Revolution / Stronghold 6% topical (60 mg/mL)
• Revolution / Stronghold 12% topical (120 mg/mL)
• Revolution (Zoetis) — 6 % / 12 % spot-on, Topical pipette
• Stronghold (Zoetis) — 6 % / 12 % spot-on, Topical pipette

Storage

Store ≤30 °C in the original packaging; protect from light.

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

Other antiparasitics

• Pyrimethamine
• Rafoxanide
• Ronidazole
• Sarolaner
• Spinosad
• Toltrazuril
• Triclabendazole

Frequently asked questions