Since 1996, veterinarians have dispensed more than 150 million doses of the spot-on flea medication Advantage, according to manufacturer Bayer Healthcare. The National Pesticide Information Center reports that imidacloprid--the active ingredient in Advantage--has low toxicity. Consumer complaints of side effects, however, are on the rise.
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Significance
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The Center for Public Integrity reports that more than 44,000 severe reactions and 1,200 pet deaths were reported in 2008 as a result of spot-on flea medications like Advantage. That represents a 50 percent increase in reports of deaths and severe reactions over the previous year.
Effects
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Common side effects of Advantage flea medication include eye irritation, temporary skin irritation at application site and excessive drooling due to the bitter taste of the medication.
Prevention/Solution
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According to the package instructions, dogs and cats should be monitored for one hour after application to ensure that they do not lick the application site.
Warning
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Advantage is toxic when large doses are ingested. Symptoms of ingestion may include twitching and muscle weakness.
Considerations
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The Environmental Protection Agency is evaluating a number of consumer-reported side effects from spot-on flea treatments such as Advantage, including skin irritation, hair loss and tremors.
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