Revolution for Dogs: Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects
Key takeaways:
Revolution prevents and treats infection from heartworms, fleas, ear mites, scabies, and American dog ticks.
Revolution comes as a topical medication that you apply to your dog’s skin once a month to prevent parasites.
Revolution can lead to side effects such as skin irritation at the application spot.
Table of contents
Regular parasite prevention prescribed by a veterinarian is a key component to dog care. It’s as important as a high-quality diet, regular exercise, and annual veterinary checkups.
Revolution is one of the many products available to prevent parasites in dogs. It comes in a topical solution that’s applied to a dog’s skin. Below you can learn more about how Revolution works, dosage information, and potential side effects.
Revolution for dogs at a glance
Common names | Revolution (selamectin) |
What it treats | Parasites, including fleas, ticks, heartworms, and mites |
How it comes (forms) | Topical solution |
Common side effects | Skin irritation and hair loss at the application site |
Average cost |
What is Revolution, and how does it work?
Revolution (selamectin) is a topical, monthly parasite preventive for dogs at least 6 weeks old.
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After Revolution is applied to the skin, it helps protect against parasites in different ways.
Some of the medication acts on the surface of the skin, protecting against external parasites. Much of the medication, however, is absorbed into the bloodstream. This allows it to travel throughout a dog’s body, preventing internal parasites. Selamectin, the active ingredient in Revolution, paralyzes susceptible parasites and causes them to die.
What is Revolution used for in dogs?
Revolution is FDA-approved to prevent and treat a variety of parasites in dogs, including:
Heartworms
A single mosquito bite can inject heartworm larvae into your dog’s body. Once in the body, these larvae travel to the large vessels of the heart and lungs. They mature into large worms that look like spaghetti, causing a variety of harmful effects, including potential death.
Fleas
Fleas are a common concern in dogs. They can cause skin issues and spread infectious diseases. In severe cases, flea infestations can lead to anemia through excessive blood loss.
American dog ticks
Revolution does not protect against all ticks, but it is effective against the American dog tick. This tick spreads Rocky Mountain spotted fever. If your dog is often in outdoor areas where they can get ticks, your veterinarian may recommend a different parasite preventive that can protect against many tick species.
Nausea medication: Ondansetron (Zofran) is a popular anti-nausea medication for people. It’s also recommended for dogs who are feeling sick to their tummies.
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Best flea meds: Your dog needs regular treatment to prevent fleas. Learn about the many flea preventives available for dogs and how often to use them.
Ear mites
Ear mites are microscopic parasites that can infect the ear canal. Revolution can be used to prevent or treat ear mites.
Sarcoptes mites
These microscopic mites can cause scabies in dogs. Affected dogs develop severe itching, skin inflammation, and hair loss.
What is the typical dose of Revolution, and how is it given to dogs?
Revolution is given once monthly, on the same day every month, to prevent parasites. A dog’s Revolution dose is based on their weight. You can look for the package color that matches your dog’s weight to get the appropriate dosage.
Weight | Package color |
Up to 5 lbs | Mauve |
5.1 lbs to 10 lbs | Purple |
10.1 lbs to 20 lbs | Brown |
20.1 lbs to 40 lbs | Red |
40.1 lbs to 85 lbs | Teal |
85.1 lbs to 130 lbs | Plum |
Over 130 lbs | Ask your vet for the correct dosage |
This medication is applied directly to your dog’s skin. Part your dog’s hair at the application site, and be sure to get the medication all the way down to your dog’s skin. Medication absorbed by your dog’s coat will not offer protection.
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A veterinarian may prescribe Revolution off-label to treat nasal mites or other rare skin conditions.
What should you do if your dog misses a dose of Revolution?
If your dog misses a dose of Revolution, give the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then, 1 month later, resume giving your dog’s Revolution on a monthly schedule. Do not give a double dose of Revolution.
If your dog has missed multiple doses of Revolution, they may be at risk for heartworms. Talk to a veterinarian about retesting for heartworms.
What are the common side effects of Revolution in dogs?
The most common side effect of Revolution is skin irritation at the application site. Dogs may lose hair and develop redness around this spot. In most cases, this reaction only affects the application area and is short-lived.
Rarely, dogs may develop gastrointestinal upset with Revolution. Signs may include:
What are the most serious risks of Revolution for dogs?
Revolution, like many parasite preventives, can cause a rapid die-off of heartworm larvae when given to a dog infected with heartworms. This can lead to serious effects, including:
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Collapse
In some cases, this reaction may be fatal. To prevent this serious reaction, a veterinarian will test your dog for heartworms before starting them on Revolution. Dogs who test positive for heartworm will require additional treatments and monitoring as well as a parasite preventive.
Revolution can also lead to muscle tremors or seizures. But these side effects are rare.
Does Revolution interact with any other dog medications?
Revolution does not typically react with other medications. However, medication interactions are more likely in dogs with the MDR1 mutation, a genetic mutation that affects medication metabolism.
Revolution is safe for dogs with an MDR1 mutation. But these dogs may be more prone to interactions if they also take:
Erythromycin
Quinidine
Tamoxifen
If your dog belongs to a high-risk breed for this gene — these include collies and Australian shepherds — a veterinarian may order genetic testing to determine if they have the MDR1 mutation.
Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s prescription or over-the-counter medications. This is the best way to prevent harmful medication interactions.
Frequently asked questions
Revolution for dogs has not been discontinued. It’s available by prescription from a veterinarian. You can purchase Revolution from your veterinarian or a pet medication retailer.
It’s generally not recommended to give dogs expired medications, including Revolution. Once it’s expired, Revolution may not be as effective at protecting your dog against parasites.
Revolution Plus is FDA-approved for cats only and should not be used on dogs. Only give your dog medications that are approved for canine use.
The bottom line
Revolution (selamectin) is a safe and effective monthly parasite preventive for dogs. It offers protection against fleas, ticks, heartworms, and mites in a topical solution.
Revolution side effects are rare, but they may include skin irritation and hair loss at the application site. Revolution should be applied to your dog’s skin once a month. If you miss giving your dog Revolution for a month or two, you may need to get your pet retested for heartworms.
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References
American Heartworm Society. (n.d.). Heartworm basics.
Brooks, W. (2021). Selamectin (Revolution, Revolution Plus, Paradyne). Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2023). An overview of sarcoptic mange (scabies) in dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2024). Ear mites in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Budde, J. A., et al. (2023). Selamectin. Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.
Crimmins, W. F. (2000). Disposing of expired drugs: A matter of policy - January 1, 2001. American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dockweiler, J., et al. (n.d.). Drug sensitivity: MDR1. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dryden, M. W., (2021). Fleas in dogs and cats. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Hawkins, R. (2021). Dog breeds commonly affected by MDR1 mutation. Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Humane Society of the United States. (n.d.). Heartworms in dogs.
University of Florida. (n.d.). American dog tick.
Zoetis. (n.d.). Revolution.
Zoetis. (n.d.). Revolution Plus.
Zoetis Inc. (2024). Revolution- selamectin solution [package insert].
