Advantage Flea Treatment
Advantage II, from Bayer, is one of the most popular flea treatments today. It kills all flea life stages. It contains two active ingredients. One active ingredient is imidacloprid. It acts on the nervous system of the flea, causing paralysis and then death. The other active ingredient in Advantage II is pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator (IGR).
How Does Advantage II Work?
Advantage II comes in a small tube. After opening the tube, with the dog standing in front of you, you should part the hair at shoulder blades and apply the treatment. For small and medium dogs (10 pounds and under, and 11-20 pounds) you should apply the entire tube at the shoulder blades. For larger dogs (21-55 pounds, and over 55 pounds), you should apply small amounts of the contents of the tube in three to four places along your dog’s back, parting your dog’s hair in each place so the contents can reach the skin.
Once Advantage is on your dog’s skin it is absorbed by your dog’s hair follicles and skin oils. When fleas come near your dog’s hair and skin, their nervous systems react and they become paralyzed. They subsequently die. Between 98 and 100 percent of fleas are killed within 12 hours of coming in contact with Advantage II.
Advantage II lasts for about a month. Your dog can swim and have baths during this time and it won’t effect his flea treatment. However, you should not bathe him for about two days after giving him Advantage II so the treatment can be absorbed by his skin.
Are There Side Effects For Advantage II?
Advantage is usually safe for most dogs but some dogs may have a reaction to it. You should not use it on dogs that are pregnant or nursing. You should not use it on dogs that are ill or elderly.
Your dog may have a temporary redness or reaction at the site where you apply Advantage.
Imidacloprid can interact with other medications that your dog may be taking so you should talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog this flea treatment.
It is very hard for a dog to overdose on Advantage. Even dogs that have been given five times the recommended dose have not had any adverse effects from the product. However, if your dog eats the product, he could have some intense drooling temporarily.
Advantage II (and K9 Advantage) require a prescription from a veterinarian.
Is It Safe To Use Advantage II On Puppies?
Yes, it is safe to use Advantage II on puppies that are seven weeks old or older. Be sure to use the correct product for your puppy’s weight.
Conclusion
Advantage II is one of the most popular of all flea treatment products for dogs. It can safely be used for most dogs without any side effects. You will need a prescription from your veterinarian to get this product. However, you can purchase it online, with a prescription, from veterinary pharmacies such as 1-800-PetMeds.
Related posts:
-
Hmmm 999
