Revolution (selamectin) for Dogs

Revolution for Dog is a topical veterinary medicine used to help control certain parasites in dogs, including fleas and heartworm prevention, depending on the label and veterinary directions. This page summarizes how the active ingredient works, what conditions it’s commonly prescribed for, and practical handling basics so site users can understand the product before submitting documentation. Ships from Canada to US and may be accessed through cash pay options for those without insurance when a prescription is required.

Information below is general and label-oriented, not individualized. For diagnosis and treatment selection, a veterinarian should assess the dog’s age, weight, health status, and local parasite risks.

What Revolution for Dog Is and How It Works

Revolution contains selamectin, a macrocyclic lactone antiparasitic. In susceptible parasites, this drug class interferes with nerve signaling by increasing chloride ion flow through specific channels, which can lead to paralysis and death of the parasite. In plain language, it targets the parasite’s nervous system more selectively than the mammal’s.

Its effects differ by parasite type and life stage. For fleas, selamectin can reduce adult fleas on the dog and may help break the flea life cycle by reducing egg production. For heartworm prevention, it is used to prevent infection when given on a regular schedule, based on labeled directions. Label indications can also include certain mites, such as those associated with ear mite infestations and sarcoptic mange (scabies) in dogs.

We coordinate prescription review with the listed veterinary prescriber when needed.

Why it matters: Parasite prevention is most reliable when the product matches local risks.

Who It’s For

This treatment is generally prescribed for dogs needing flea control and heartworm prevention as part of a broader parasite plan. A veterinarian may also select it when mites are suspected or confirmed, such as with Ear Mite Infestation or Canine Sarcoptic Mange, when the label supports that use. Flea exposure can be seasonal or year-round, and browsing the Flea Infestation hub can help clarify related products typically considered in practice.

Not every parasite is covered by every topical preventive. If ticks are a concern in a given region, clinicians often evaluate whether additional tick-focused prevention is appropriate; see the Tick Infestation category for the kinds of options that exist. Contraindications and limitations vary by label, but common exclusions include animals with known hypersensitivity to selamectin or product components. Caution is often used in debilitated, underweight, or acutely ill animals, since safety data may be more limited for those groups.

Dosage and Usage

Topical selamectin products are typically used on a monthly schedule, but the exact timing should follow the product label and the prescriber’s directions. For heartworm prevention, regular on-time dosing is an important concept because prevention works best when doses are not missed or delayed. For flea control, ongoing use may be recommended during periods of exposure, along with environmental measures when infestations are established.

When using Revolution for Dog, the dose is selected by the dog’s weight range and supplied as a single-use tube. The contents are placed on the skin in an area the dog cannot easily lick, commonly at the back of the neck. Allow the site to dry before close contact with other pets or people, and follow label guidance on bathing or swimming around the time of dosing if provided.

Quick tip: Part the fur so the medication reaches skin, not hair.

Strengths and Forms

This product is provided as a spot-on topical solution in single-dose tubes. Presentations are commonly packaged by weight bands so the correct amount is used for the dog’s size. Availability can vary by pharmacy inventory and jurisdictional labeling, so the exact presentations offered at any given time may differ.

If a prescriber writes for selamectin for dogs rather than a brand, the dispensing pharmacy still selects a specific labeled presentation suitable for the weight range and indication. For a broader view of other veterinary items carried on the site, the Pet Medications category lists additional therapies by type.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store the tubes in the original carton until use and follow the labeled temperature range on the package insert. In general, many topical antiparasitics are kept at controlled room temperature and protected from excess heat and direct light. Do not use a tube past the labeled expiration date, and avoid using a tube that appears damaged or leaking.

For travel, keep the carton in a dry place and separate from food. If transporting in a vehicle, avoid leaving it in a hot glove box or trunk. If a tube is opened, it is intended for single use; leftover product should be disposed of according to local guidance. For additional background on handling pet prescriptions through online services, the article Online Pet Medication Options explains common documentation and safety checks.

Licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense and label the medication after approval.

Side Effects and Safety

As with many topical parasite preventives, side effects can include mild and temporary skin irritation at the administration site, such as redness, itching, or hair changes. Some dogs may show brief drooling if they lick the wet product, and occasional gastrointestinal signs (vomiting or soft stool) can occur. These effects are not specific to one brand and may relate to taste, grooming, or individual sensitivity.

More serious reactions are uncommon but can occur and require prompt veterinary attention. These may include significant lethargy, persistent vomiting, facial swelling, hives, trouble breathing, or neurologic signs such as tremors, unsteadiness, or seizures. Extra caution is commonly discussed for dogs with a history of medication sensitivities, and the label should be reviewed for any breed- or condition-specific warnings that apply in the dispensing country.

Why it matters: Rapid recognition of severe reactions helps a clinic respond appropriately.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Drug interaction risk for topical selamectin is usually discussed in the context of combining multiple antiparasitics or using other drugs that affect the nervous system. A veterinarian may review concurrent preventives (oral or topical), dewormers, or mite treatments to avoid duplication and to align coverage with local parasite pressure. If the dog is receiving other macrocyclic lactones, the prescriber may consider the combined exposure and the dog’s health status.

Household and environmental context can also matter. In multi-pet homes, clinicians may recommend treating all animals appropriately for the diagnosed parasite to reduce re-infestation. If skin disease is present (for example, bacterial infection or allergic dermatitis), a veterinarian may address the underlying cause and may prescribe additional therapies; for general background on a commonly used antibiotic in pets, see Cephalexin Uses And Dosage.

Compare With Alternatives

Depending on the dog’s needs, clinics may consider different preventive strategies than Revolution for Dog. Some alternatives focus on heartworm prevention but require a separate flea product, while others combine broader ectoparasite coverage with heartworm protection. Product selection is usually based on local parasite prevalence, the dog’s medical history, and household factors such as exposure to other animals.

Examples of commonly discussed options include monthly oral heartworm preventives that may include intestinal parasite coverage, and oral flea/tick preventives in chewable form. Site users can review product-specific information for Interceptor Plus Details and Simparica Details to understand route, prescription status, and labeled indications. For context on heartworm disease as a condition and how prevention is commonly framed, browse Canine Heartworm Disease.

If a tapeworm treatment is needed due to diagnosis, that is typically handled with a different drug class than selamectin; the resource Tapeworm Treatment With Droncit provides background on that separate topic.

Pricing and Access

Because this is a prescription veterinary medication in many settings, access usually depends on a valid prescription and a weight-appropriate presentation. CanadianInsulin.com works as a prescription referral service: documentation may be checked and confirmed with the prescriber before a partner pharmacy dispenses. This process helps align the requested item with the directions written by the clinic.

Total costs can vary by package size, weight band, and dispensing pharmacy. People using cash-pay, including those without insurance, often compare options by month of coverage rather than by tube count. If a site-wide offer is available, it is listed on the Promotions page.

When submitting an order after approval, choose prompt, express, cold-chain shipping if offered.

Access is cash-pay, helpful for people without insurance coverage.

Authoritative Sources

For official regulatory listings and product records, consult FDA Animal Drugs @ FDA.

For clinical overviews of canine heartworm prevention concepts, see Merck Veterinary Manual: Heartworm Prevention.

For consensus guidance on parasite risk and control planning, review Companion Animal Parasite Council Guidelines.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.