The Side Effects of Advantage Flea Treatment
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It’s true, honestly Jon Snow you can not stop your beloved pets from fleas and lice simply by wrapping them up in cotton wool… coats that is. Oh brave, handsome, silly Jon Snow.
Luckily for Jon and the rest of us, leading treatment Advantage is readily available. It can be used on dogs, 7 weeks or older, and cats 8 weeks or older, as well as rabbits and ferrets. It is also safe for pregnant and lactating animals. Make sure you talk to your vet if your pet is on medication, if other pesticides are already being used, or if your pet is underweight, elderly or debilitated.
Advantage works as a paralytic to rapidly kill adult fleas and larvae (not the eggs) and therefore breaks the lifecycle of our pets’ most hated foes.
Once applied, the nervous system of fleas and lice is attacked. They are paralysed and die only minutes from coming into contact with Advantage - they don’t even have to bite your pet to be affected. Fleas will stop biting within five minutes of the application, and will be dead within 20 minutes of contact. Advantage kills 98-100% of existing fleas within 12 hours of application and will destroy 99% of flea larvae in the pet's surroundings.
Advantage is easy to use and remains effective for a month. It is even waterproof so will still work after bathing, swimming, extensive puddle or mud rolling (you know who you are!) or for those wet weather loving, storm chasing pets.
It is applied through the coat to the dog or cat’s skin and spreads throughout the skin’s oily layer. There are a range of dosages available that depend upon the weight of your pet. Ensure you purchase the correct dosage for your pet and that all directions are followed accurately. Weigh your pet or ask your vet to weigh them - don’t simply guess and apply the dosage you think is correct.
Advantage is an external treatment and must not get into the pet’s eyes or mouth. For small and medium dogs, it is placed out of licking reach on the back between the shoulder blades, and for a cat at the base of the skull. For large dogs over 25kg, the dosage is divided between the shoulder blades, on the back between the hips and at another point in the middle.
As with any medical treatment, there may be a small portion of animals with individual sensitivities. Always monitor your pet immediately after application and for a few days after. If there are signs of any adverse reaction or if your pet’s health worsens, consult a vet immediately.
Hair loss and skin irritations
Minor skin irritation is common at the site of application, especially if it is your pet’s first ever treatment. Stiffening or the damp appearance of hair, itchiness, redness or pinkish skin may occur but these are temporary side effects. Occasionally hair loss also occurs. This is usually a one-off and hair will grow back within 1-2 weeks. If the hair loss spreads or doesn’t grow back then consult your vet.
Animals with sensitive skin may develop sores that can bleed if scratched, split or open and then become infected. Check the application site regularly and if these symptoms occur visit your vet.
A low incidence of owners have noticed that their pet has a medicinal-type odour after treatment. This is not dangerous or harmful and will only last a few days to a week after application.
Contact with eyes
If your pet manages to get the treatment in their eyes, flush their eyes immediately with plenty of water and consult with your vet.
Rare and serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare, usually only occurring in animals with individual sensitivities or allergies to the product’s active ingredients or are a result of accidental ingestion or a mistake in the use of the product.The signs should be noticeable quickly and in all circumstances, immediate veterinary attention is needed if you notice any of the following:
- Loss of apetite, increase in thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea or drooling - Remember to apply Advantage as directed, out of reach of your pet’s mouth. The product has a bitter taste that should discourage licking and ingestion. If enough is ingested, it can cause stomach upsets and loss of appetite. Vomiting, diarrhoea, excess salivation, drooling and an increase in thirst indicate excessive ingestion or an adverse reaction.
- Pupil dilation, eye irritation or increased tear production
- Breathing difficulties, ataxia (movement problems), stumbling, trembling or seizures
- Abnormal sleeping, lethargy or non-responsiveness
- Odd behaviour, depression or hyperactivity
As mentioned, severe reactions are considered to be very rare with Advantage when it is applied as per instructions. As an extra precaution, it is best to observe and separate treated animals for 30-60 minutes to ensure that they do not lick their own application site or that of other animals. Otherwise, Advantage is an extremely easy and effective treatment to make sure your beloved pet doesn’t become high-rise living for fleas and lice.
Comment(s)56
Do not give advantage multi to any animal, period.
There are holistic versions made of essential oils we have instead. We will never use these toxic medicines in our dogs ever again. Lesson learned.
Susan I hop your baby is ok and I am sorry that has happened.
But I've got 3 acres in the country, and I woke up, walked to the kitchen, and my feet were covered in blood from all the ticks he brought in the house the night before, WITH treatment. He has gotten ehrlichia once, already. I had to try it.
If he has seizures and dies tonight, it will be far more humane than what he has gone through over the past four years with nonstop irritation and organ damage from ineffectual medicines and diseases brought by vermin. I would welcome it as an end to his suffering. But it isn't gonna happen.
Because I also know the public. Especially pet owners. They will crap their own pants and try to shove it in the mouths of anyone who disputes a word of their testimony because ThEy kNoW WhAt'S bEsT fOr ThEiR BaBiEs. They let them eat the polyester filling from a toy and then blame the stomach discomfort on a brand of food the vet recommended.
Every pet owner is a Karen. Ignore the bad reviews.
They are indoor cats 24/7 but a neighbour in my apartment building allows her indoor/outdoor cat to wander the halls. He sits outside my door daily. I'm at a crossroad. I've tried all natural means and nothing has worked. The manager of the building doesn't care about this matter.
So, if anyone knows of something else that's harmless except to the fleas please inform me.
Anything from Hartz is an absolute no! I'm surprised that they're still still selling their flea collars. As for Bayer, the makers of Advantage, well that's another whole ball of evil.
(If this comment is erased, please know that's its entirety has been screenshot and will post this site, photos, etc., via all forms of media).
Why is this garbage on the market. DO NOT SUBJECT UR FUR BABY TO THIS!!!!
I'm very thankful for this site, Petbucket for allow me to express my feelings of anger towards this product.
I get frustrated and write from the top of my head. I should self edit, yes.
Called the company and was given a case # "in case the vet wants to know the active ingredients " He is miserable, we bathed him in Dawn dish soap then gave him 50mg of Benadryl also but Rx burn cream on the spots and had to put a shirt on him to make him stop scratching the burn spots. I am completely shocked at what this has done to him. There is no recourse if I take him to the Vet it's all on me....Ya I am not happy to say the least. Not sure what else to give him to calm him down and stop the itching.
Luckily he seems to be okay in himself but I can't see anything about this online.
Rather bizzare.
I used this on my 9 year old Jack Russell on Thursday night when I woke up Friday morning he throat was so swollen he has burns on his skin. Hives all over his back and the rest of his skin red raw. I was petrified.
My 8 year old Jack Russell has sores on his skin too and not eaten his dinner since.
I’m so sorry to read all these stories.
I will never ever use it again!
I'm a very lucky owner of 14 beautiful kitties and need to get them all de-fleed and this has been a wake up call for us
I'm lost in what to do after seeing your very sad comments..I hope you're all well and tickity boo and all your kitties and dogs
I'm glad I found this site
CAN ANYONE SUE THIS MAD COMPANY??
Grieving.