Revolution Plus For Cats: Overview, Dosage & Side Effects – Cats.com

Dr. Chris Vanderhoof is a 2013 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a Masters in Public Health. He completed a rotating internship with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and now works as a general practitioner in the Washington D.C. area. Dr. Vanderhoof is also a copywriter specializing in the animal health field and founder of Paramount Animal Health Writing Solutions, which can be found at www.animalhealthco…

Revolution Plus for cats is a brand of topical, “spot-on” medication that prevents fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and heartworms. Revolution Plus contains the main ingredients selamectin and sarolaner. It is a newer incarnation of its older predecessor, Revolution for cats.

In this article, you’ll learn about Revolution Plus for cats, the ingredients it contains, the types of pests it targets and parasite protection it provides, possible side effects to consider, and some frequently asked questions.

For more information about the original Revolution product and more insight on how it compares to Revolution Plus, see Revolution for Cats.

About Revolution Plus For Cats

The main ingredient in Revolution products is selamectin. Selamectin is a topical avermectin antiparasiticide. Selamectin works by enhancing release of a neurotransmitter called GABA. In certain parasitic worms like roundworms and in arthropods like fleas, GABA inhibits nerve conduction. By enhancing GABA release, selamectin essentially causes paralysis and death of the parasites it targets.

Revolution Plus also includes sarolaner, which is an isoxazoline class acaricide/insecticide that inhibits GABA, leading to neuromuscular overstimulation and death of the parasites it targets. Sarolaner broadens Revolution Plus’ spectrum to include three types of ticks: the American dog tick, black-legged/deer tick, and the Gulf Coast tick.

Revolution Plus spot-on product is a monthly topical solution applied to a small target area or “spot” of the skin, usually in front of the shoulders at the back of the neck.

To get a lethal dose of selamectin or sarolaner, the parasites don’t have to bite a treated cat; simply coming in contact with the skin is enough. However, it’s important to note that Revolution products for cats do not provide true repellency that would prevent fleas or ticks from coming in contact with a pet.

What Does Revolution Plus Do For Cats?

Revolution Plus has action against many common parasites. Revolution Plus does the following:

• Kills adult fleas
• Prevents flea eggs from hatching
• Treats and controls two intestinal parasites (roundworms and hookworms)
• Treats and controls ear mite infestations
• Prevents infection with mosquito-borne heartworms
• Kills ticks

According to the manufacturer, when newly applied, Revolution Plus can start killing fleas within 12 hours, with a majority killed within 24 hours. When already applied prior to flea exposure, Revolution can start killing fleas within six hours, with a majority killed at 12 hours.

In a couple of studies, Revolution Plus was found to kill fleas before they could lay eggs, preventing further infestations from starting if the product is used consistently.

The manufacturer states that in lab studies, Revolution Plus started to kill the black-legged/deer tick within 24 hours with a little over 90% effectiveness for one month. It also demonstrated over 90% effectiveness against the Gulf Coast tick and the American dog tick.

As a heartworm preventative, Revolution Plus was found to be 100% effective in preventing the development of heartworms in cats when those cats were exposed to larvae about 30 days prior.

Revolution products can also help to control ear mites, which are pesky, itchy pests that occupy the ear canals, usually of young cats or kittens. Revolution Plus was over 99% effective at eliminating this parasite.

Lastly, Revolution plus was found to be nearly 100% effective against intestinal hookworms and roundworms in cats over a 60-day period of study.

Side Effects Of Revolution Plus For Cats

When used properly, side effects of Revolution products for cats are uncommon. Revolution Plus is labeled for cats 8 weeks and older. Revolution Plus is also restricted to cats weighing at least 2.8 pounds. Topical products like Revolution should never be ingested.

In clinical trials for Revolution Plus, a little less than 5% of cats showed signs of looking excessively tired, less than 4% showed signs of skin irritation, and about 3% showed signs of a decreased appetite. No hair loss was documented with Revolution Plus, which had previously been documented with regular Revolution.

At least some of the digestive upset and signs of excessive drooling that may be seen with use of topical products like Revolution Plus may have occurred secondary to cats licking the product off of themselves after application.

Products like Revolution Plus are very bitter tasting, so if a kitty were to lick a recently applied product off either themselves or a housemate, the bitter taste alone can lead to excessive drooling, agitation, and sometimes even vomiting.

According to DVM360, this effect is typically not a true toxicity, but a sometimes dramatic reaction to the bitter taste. Providing milk or liquid from a can of tuna can help resolve the signs in short order.

To avoid this from happening, it is important to apply any topical flea/tick product to the skin in front of the shoulder blades at the back of the neck, a location even the most flexible cat cannot reach to lick. In multiple cat households where lots of co-grooming occurs, separating housemate kitties for up to 24 hours after application to allow the product to fully dry may be advisable.

Although Revolution products for dogs and cats contain the same active ingredients, the manufacturer does not advise using a dog product on a cat, even if they are similar in weight. Sometimes, there are differences in the inactive ingredients between dog and cat products that would make them inappropriate to consider interchangeable.

Using Caution With Other Flea/Tick Products

While Revolution Plus for cats has been established as a safe product, the active ingredients may be found in other products in combination with other ingredients that are not safe for cats. This is especially the case with dog products like K9 Advtantix II, which contains permethrin, a substance that is extremely toxic to cats.

Fortunately, these products are now required to include a warning against use in cats. But just to be safe, when selecting a flea/tick product for your kitty, always make sure the product includes a picture of a cat and indicates the product is specifically for cats.

It is also always advisable if you have a pup and kitty who like to hang out together or groom each other to separate them for 24 hours after applying a topical product to your dog, especially if the product contains permethrin.

If you have any concerns for potential toxicity, even if you think your kitty might have just licked some Revolution Plus off her fur and is having a bitter taste reaction, it is always best to contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435), or Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661) immediately for further advice.

And lastly, topical products like Revolution Plus have been known to cause skin and eye irritation in people. It is best to avoid contact with the solution during application and to wash your hands after.

Unlike regular Revolution, Revolution Plus contains the added ingredient sarolaner, which adds to its spectrum against ticks. Isoxazolines like sarolaner have been associated with adverse neurologic signs in some pets, including seizures and tremors. Use of Revolution Plus should be considered carefully in cats with any history of neurologic illness.

Revolution Plus For Cats Dosage

Revolution Plus is typically applied every 30 days for the best protection. Revolution Plus is approved for use in cats and kittens 8 weeks of age and older.

Revolution Plus comes in three sizes as a topical solution for cats weighing 2.8 to 5.5 pounds, 5.5 to 11.1 pounds, and 11.1 to 22 pounds. For cats that exceed 22 pounds, the manufacturer recommends using a second dose in combination as appropriate (i.e., a cat weighing between 23 to 27 pounds would get one 11.1 to 22 pound dose combined with one 2.8 to 5.5 pound dose).

Safe use of Revolution Plus or any topical product for your kitty means always following all instructions on the packaging. Revolution Plus vials have a cap that first needs to be pushed down into the vial to puncture it.

The cap can then be removed, and the entire contents of the vial applied by parting the fur and applying to the skin along the back of the neck in front of the shoulders where a kitty cannot reach to lick it off of himself.

While Revolution Plus topical solution is considered to be waterproof within two hours of application, the manufacturer still recommends waiting 24 hours to bathe your kitty after application. Bathing shortly before application may also reduce its effectiveness.

If for some reason you are unsure if the product was administered correctly or whether all of it was applied, it is usually safest to not apply an additional dose.

If you have any questions about application or safety for Revolution Plus or any topical product, make sure to get in touch with your veterinarian.

Conclusion

Revolution Plus is the newest incarnation of Revolution, a product that has been used for cats for many years and is generally a safe and effective product when used properly. Because it is a heartworm preventative, you must obtain a prescription from your veterinarian before purchasing Revolution Plus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Revolution plus do for cats?

Revolution Plus has many actions against parasites in cats. It is effective at killing fleas and preventing further flea infestations, it kills and prevents three different kinds of ticks, prevents mosquito-borne heartworm disease, treats and controls the intestinal parasites hookworms and roundworms, and treats and controls ear mites. 

What is the difference between Revolution and Revolution Plus for cats?

The main difference is Revolution Plus contains the isoxazoline drug sarolaner in addtion to selamectin. Sarolaner allows for Revolution Plus to have a better spectrum of activity against ticks. 

While regular Revolution only provides some protection against the American dog tick and is not labeled for this in cats, Revolution Plus has labeled action against not just the American dog tick, but also the black-legged tick that carries Lyme disease, and the Gulf Coast tick. All three ticks are extremely common in the United States. 

Do you need a prescription for Revolution Plus for cats?

Yes. Because Revolution Plus is a heartworm preventative, it does require a prescription as all heartworm preventatives do. 

Even if ordered online, a prescription request will still need to be sent to your veterinarian for approval. The main reason for this is that some pets can be at a higher risk of a reaction for some products if the product is given or applied while the pet has an active heartworm infection. 

While cats are not as routinely tested for heartworm as dogs are, owing to the fact that only about 50% of cats truly infected with heartworm will show up positive for the disease on a test, it’s still important for a veterinarian to verify that a kitty is not showing signs of illness prior to starting.

How long does it take for Revolution Plus to work on cats?

According to the manufacturer, Revolution Plus starts working to kill fleas within 12 hours, with a majority killed within 24 hours. When already applied prior to flea exposure, Revolution can start killing fleas within six hours, with a majority killed at 12 hours.

Over 90% of the three ticks it targets were effectively killed on cats over a 60-day period of study, with the black-legged tick being killed within 24 hours. Ear mites, roundworms, and hookworms were all effectively killed by the product.

While Revolution has slower kill times for fleas and ticks compared to other topical products like Frontline Plus and Advantage II, the ingredients in Revolution Plus make it one of the best all-around products for cats, with the best broad spectrum of coverage targeting fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal parasites.

If you feel you’re not seeing good efficacy from the product, especially when it comes to flea infestations, please consider the following.

The question of flea resistance to products like Revolution Plus and the idea that they don’t work comes up often. The 2017 article “Perception vs. Reality: Insecticide Resistance in Fleas” from DVM360 that refers to an article published in American Veterinarian that same year addresses this topic.

An entomology (“bug science”) professor from the University of California heavily investigated this question and concluded that while resistance has been seen to some flea treatment or prevention products, true chemical resistance in fleas with fipronil, imidacloprid, and some other newer products on the market has not yet been demonstrated.

In many cases, when a pup or kitty parent is still seeing live fleas on their pet after a product has been applied, this issue can most often be traced back to incorrect use or application of the product, as well as poor expectations.

Following are some common errors or misperceptions.

• Incorrect application (i.e., applied to the fur not the skin, failing to apply the whole volume of product, failure to properly puncture or open a vial prior to application)
• Failure to apply to all pets in the household. If one pet brings fleas indoors, they can jump onto all pets in the home. If all pets are not treated at the same time, flea infestations can persist.
• Bathing. Baths are a common go-to, especially when live fleas are seen. However, while waterproof, Revolution products need 24 hours to spread throughout the oils on the skin. Bathing shortly before or after application removes oils from the skin as well as possibly the product itself.
• Not treating long enough.  It can sometimes take as long as three months to clear out a flea infestation. So while most veterinarians advise year-round protection against fleas and ticks, a product like Revolution Plus should be used every month for at least three months during an active infestation. Flea eggs not cleared from the home environment are likely to continue hatching every couple of weeks, meaning a kitty that received only one monthly dose of Revolution Plus can get infested again a few weeks later if the dose is not repeated the next month.
• Not treating year-round. Fleas have been known to over-winter indoors. Treating pets for only certain months of the year can leave open gaps in prevention for infestations to occur.
• Failing to treat the environment. Because one flea can lay up to 50 eggs in just one day, the amount of eggs in a home environment with fleas can be staggering. If the environment is not treated effectively, continually hatching fleas may continue to be found on a treated pet.
• Perceiving products as repellents. Always remember that most topical products like Revolution Plus do not have repellency action, meaning that fleas and ticks must come in contact with the skin to be killed. Heavily-infested outdoor areas as well as poorly-treated indoor infestations can be sources for large numbers of adult fleas to “suddenly” appear on a treated pet.

If you still feel there’s a true product IssueIf you feel you have applied a product properly and are addressing a flea infestation according to your vet’s instructions and still feel that a product is not working well, make sure to bring those concerns to your vet or contact the manufacturer of the product.