Description
Stronghold Plus For Cats 11-22 lbs (5-10 kg) from Zoetis is a monthly spot-on solution covering the largest standard weight band in the cat range. Each green-capped pipette delivers 60 mg selamectin and 10 mg sarolaner in 1 ml, satisfying the minimum therapeutic dose of 6 mg/kg selamectin and 1 mg/kg sarolaner across the full 5–10 kg range. This variant is indicated exclusively where tick control is required at the same time as one or more additional parasite targets.
Recommended for
Cats weighing 11–22 lbs (5–10 kg) from 8 weeks of age.
Indication/Coverage
For cats suffering from, or at risk from, mixed parasitic infections:
- Flea treatment and prevention (Ctenocephalides spp.): adulticidal activity eliminates fleas within 24 hours of application; ovicidal and larvicidal action sustains flea lifecycle interruption for 5 weeks per dose
- Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD): applicable as one component of a broader treatment strategy where confirmed flea infestation drives the allergic response
- Tick treatment (Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus): persistent acaricidal activity for 5 weeks; efficacy against Dermacentor reticulatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus extends to 4 weeks per dose
- Ear mite treatment (Otodectes cynotis): single-dose administration; veterinary re-examination at 30 days determines whether a second application is warranted
- Biting lice treatment (Felicola subrostratus): single-dose administration
- Adult roundworm treatment (Toxocara cati): targets adult-stage intestinal nematodes
- Adult hookworm treatment (Ancylostoma tubaeforme): targets adult-stage intestinal nematodes
- Heartworm prevention (Dirofilaria immitis, L3/L4 larvae): monthly dosing arrests larval development before maturation to adult worms; this product carries no activity against established adult heartworm infections
Key Benefits
Stronghold Plus for cats 11–22 lbs delivers the following clinically documented actions:
- Parallel kill mechanisms: selamectin (avermectin class) disrupts chloride channel conductance in invertebrate nerve and muscle tissue, while sarolaner (isoxazoline class) blocks GABA- and glutamate-gated chloride channels in arthropods, giving the formulation two independent routes of parasite elimination per dose
- Full flea lifecycle control: adult fleas are killed within 24 hours, and concurrent ovicidal and larvicidal activity prevents egg hatching and larval survival, breaking the reproductive cycle and progressively reducing environmental flea burden over the 5-week protection window
- Four-species tick coverage: sarolaner delivers acaricidal onset against ricinus within 24 hours of attachment, with protection sustained for 5 weeks against I. ricinus and I. hexagonus, and 4 weeks against D. reticulatus and R. sanguineus
- Heartworm larval interception: selamectin eliminates immitis L3 and L4 larvae before they can develop into adult worms; the preventive action depends on uninterrupted monthly dosing
- Intestinal nematode treatment: a single dose addresses adult Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme, extending utility beyond ectoparasite management without requiring a separate worming product for these two species
- Topical format: spot-on delivery bypasses the need for oral administration, which is a practical distinction for larger cats that are difficult to medicate orally
- Suitable from 8 weeks: labeled use begins at 8 weeks and a minimum body weight of 1.25 kg; cats in the 11–22 lbs range that have been on Stronghold Plus since kittenhood can continue on the appropriately sized pipette without interruption as they grow through weight bands
- Documented overdose margin: Zoetis safety data show no clinically significant adverse reactions in kittens treated at up to 5 times the maximum recommended dose across 8 consecutive monthly applications; this margin does not permit exceeding labeled dosing
Caution
Hazards to Humans
This product is harmful if ingested and causes eye irritation on contact. Avoid touching the face or eyes during and after application, and wash hands with soap and water immediately afterward. Children must not handle or play with treated cats for at least 4 hours, and treated animals should not share a sleeping space with children on the night of treatment.
Hazards to Domestic Animals
For external use only; oral or parenteral administration is not permitted. This variant is labeled for cats aged at least 8 weeks and weighing a minimum of 1.25 kg. Do not apply to cats that are debilitated, concurrently ill, or underweight relative to their age and size. Sarolaner safety in pregnant or lactating cats has not been confirmed; use in these animals requires a veterinarian’s benefit-risk assessment. Individual sensitivity is possible in any cat, and a veterinarian should be consulted where concurrent medications are in use.
Possible Side Effects
Monitor your cat for 24 to 48 hours after each application, paying particular attention following the first dose in a new treatment course.
The reactions below have been documented in clinical trial data and post-marketing surveillance:
- Application-site pruritus: mild, transient itching at the spot-on location is the most frequently reported finding; it resolves without treatment in the majority of cats and does not indicate a need to discontinue
- Localised alopecia: mild to moderate hair loss at the point of application has been recorded as an uncommon event; it typically resolves within one to two treatment cycles
- Erythema: localised skin reddening at the application site is classified as uncommon and self-limiting in reported cases
- Drooling (hypersalivation): results from the cat grooming the application area before the product has dried; applying at the correct site at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades substantially limits the cat’s ability to reach the wet solution
- Transient gastrointestinal signs: if significant oral ingestion of the product occurs, hypersalivation, vomiting, soft faeces, and reduced appetite may follow; these effects are expected to resolve without treatment
Seek veterinary attention if any reaction persists beyond 48 hours, escalates in severity, or is accompanied by systemic signs such as tremor, altered gait, or marked behavioural change.











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