Fleas and ticks, among other parasites, are not only pests to your dog, but also can transmit deadly diseases to pets and humans, alike. Becoming increasingly popular for pet owners is the use of a topical solution applied directly to the skin. Advantix made by Bayer drugs is one such solution, although there is some concern about possible side effects.
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What Is Advantix?
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Advantix is a brand name of a ̶0;spot-on̶1; dog medication which has the active ingredients imidacloprid and permethrin. It is a monthly medicine applied to the skin of your dog to kill mosquitoes, ticks, lice and fleas. Advantix comes in three sizes corresponding with the weight of your dog.
How Does Advantix Work?
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A dose of Advantix is administered directly onto the skin at the back of the neck. Imidacloprid is an insecticide that affects the central nervous system of the bugs, paralyzing them and then, causing death. The insecticide is not absorbed into the dog̵7;s system because it stays on the hair follicle and in the oils on the skin. After the initial 48 hours, water and bathing will not impede the actions of Advantix.
Possible Side Effects
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According to the EPA, the ingredient permethrin in Advantix (and other spot-on medications for dogs) has been reported to cause itching at the site of application, hyperactivity, fatigue, vomiting or seizure. Their reports indicate that smaller dogs may be more adversely affected than larger dogs.
Precautions
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Advantix should not be administered to pregnant, nursing, elderly, or ill dogs. Puppies less than 7 weeks old should not be given Advantix. The permethrin in Advantix is extremely toxic to cats.
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