Advantix is a popular brand of flea and ticks medication for dogs. You can buy this topical flea treatment for your dog over the counter, either K9 Advantix or K9 Advantix II. If you had applied Advantix on your dog but instead of eliminating ticks and fleas you are now blaming it for the death of your beloved pet. I understand your loss and I know no words are enough to console you but receive my sincere condolence.
In this article, you will learn more about Advantix use, side effects, dosage, alternatives, and much more.
What Is Advantix?
Advantix is a topical flea and ticks medication for dogs that is applied once a month. In addition to killing fleas and ticks, it also acts as a repellent for 30 days. Advantix successfully disrupts the life cycle of fleas by killing all stages of flea life, including eggs, pupae, larvae, and adults. This stops any further infestations from occurring. In addition to all of that, Advantix also offers heartworm disease protection against mosquitoes.
How Does It Work?
After applying K9 Advantix II on the dog’s skin, it later spread evenly as a thin coating over the skin’s surface. Instead of being absorbed inside, it locks in the oils of the dog’s skin. When parasites like fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and lice come into touch with the skin of a dog that has been treated, the parasites’ nervous systems are destroyed.
The parasites rapidly lose their coordination and die. K9 Advantix® II kills pests through the contact rather than by having them begin feeding on your dog or cat. Reducing biting makes animals comfortable and may help stop the spread of disease.
How Do I Use K9 Advantix?
Advantix is a topical medication that is applied along your dog’s spine. Squeeze the solution onto the skin gently, taking care not to allow for excessive drippage as you part the hair at the application points. Apply the solution in a few evenly spaced spots between your dog’s shoulder blades and the base of the tail, and then leave it an hour to dry.
Applying too much solution to one area will cause it to run off the side of the dog or get absorbed into the fur. Also, local irritation could result from using more of the solution in one area.
After using K9 Advantix II, keep your cat away from your dog for at least 24 hours if you have one. Some of the product’s active chemicals cannot be metabolized by cats, making them potentially harmful.
How quickly does Advantix work?
Advantix kills adult fleas and flea larvae in 20 minutes and inhibits fleas from biting within 3 to 5 minutes. Fleas don’t need to bite the animal to give it a deadly dose. Ticks that are present when a dog is treated will be killed, but they will still be attached and visible. It is advised to regularly check for ticks and remove those that are discovered during tick season.
Advantix Killed My Dog
Below are some of the reasons why a dog can die after Advantix use;
Interactions with Other Medications
Medications like anti-inflammatory drugs or heartworm preventatives may interact with Advantix. Before beginning Advantix, it’s vital to let your veterinarian know about any medications your dog is on because these interactions could cause negative side effects.
Breed Sensitivity
The effects of Advantix may also affect dogs differently depending on their breed. For instance, herding breeds like collies and Australian shepherds may have a genetic mutation that increases their susceptibility to the negative effects of specific drugs. If your dog belongs to one of these breeds, ask your vet if Advantix is safe for your dog.
Incorrect Dosage
Inappropriate dosing of Advantix is among the most frequent causes of dog adverse side effects. This is especially true for smaller dogs, who might be more sensitive to the drug. To be sure you’re giving your dog the right dosage of medication, carefully follow the directions on the container and those provided by your veterinarian.
Allergic Reactions
Advantix can cause allergic reactions in certain dogs, just like any drug. An allergic reaction may cause breathing difficulties, swelling, redness, and itching. Contact your veterinarian right away if your dog displays any of these symptoms after receiving Advantix.
Underlying Health Conditions
Advantix side effects may be more dangerous for dogs with underlying medical issues. For instance, dogs with liver or kidney problems may have trouble metabolizing the medicine, resulting in an accumulation of toxins in the body. Consult your veterinarian before administering Advantix to your dog if they have a pre-existing medical problem.
What are the Side Effects of K9 Advantix II for Dogs?
On rare occasions, K9 Advantix II may cause gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and diarrhea, or local skin irritation, such as burning, tingling, and itching sensations followed by redness and numbness at the application site. Other side effects are Lethargy and/or anxiety.
K9 Advantix II for dogs carries a very minimal risk of negative effects. However, while using a pesticide product, there is always the possibility of individual reactions. Monitoring your dog after the application is therefore highly recommended.
If your dog experiences any negative reactions, bathe him with a soap that contains detergent, ideally Palmolive or Dawn. Then get medical advice by dialing your pet’s veterinarian or the Bayer Emergency Support Line.
How often should I apply Advantix to my dog?
The weight of your dog and the degree of the infestation will determine how frequently you should apply. Advantix is typically applied once each month. You might need to use it more frequently if your dog is severely afflicted or lives in a region with a high parasite incidence. Before raising application frequency, always check with your veterinarian.
How is K9 Advantix II Different from K9 Advantix?
Due to the addition of the active component Pyriproxyfen, an insect growth regulator that is effective against all parasite life stages, including eggs, larvae, and adults, K9 Advantix II provides more effective preventive therapy than K9 Advantix.
Other than that, the two goods are pretty identical. They both come from the same range of products and were created and produced by Bayer. K9 Advantix II is the upgraded formulation, whereas K9 Advantix is the brand’s basic version.
K9 Advantix II for Dogs Dosage
Four different dosage forms of K9 Advantix II are offered for dogs of various sizes and weights. K9 Advantix’s strengths are as follows:
K9 Advantix II Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs, 4-10 lbs– for small dogs
K9 Advantix II Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs, 11-20 lbs – for medium dogs
K9 Advantix II Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs, 21-55 lbs – for large dogs
K9 Advantix II Flea & Tick Spot Treatment for Dogs, over 55 lbs– for extra-large dogs.
It is not recommended to administer more than one K9 Advantix II tube per treatment for dogs weighing more than 55 pounds. Use only on pups who are at least 7 weeks old and 4 pounds or more.
5 Natural Remedies for Itchy Skin
1. Soaks in herbal tea and chamomile
Calendula, green tea, and chamomile are all beneficial additives to a dog bath because they can calm and cool sensitive skin as well as reduce inflammation. These soaks work best on dogs with heated, scratchy skin that could potentially become raw.
Fill the tub with warm water and simmer several tea bags for three minutes to give your dog an herbal tea bath. Take out the tea bags and give your dog at least five minutes to soak in the bath.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
A natural, risk-free soother for dry, itchy skin is apple cider vinegar. It relieves itchy skin due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, this is NOT a helpful cure if the skin is raw or open in any manner. An exposed wound will sting from apple cider vinegar.
To use, prepare a solution by mixing equal amounts of vinegar and water, and then soak the animal’s paws or other affected areas in the solution for up to five minutes. Alternatively, you can use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the problematic spots.
3. Oatmeal Bath
Oatmeal has long been a popular cure for dry itchy skin. Give your dog a bath with colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal adheres to the skin and creates a barrier of defense. It also aids in retaining moisture and reducing irritation. Your dog should soak after adding colloidal oatmeal to warm water. Regular oatmeal is non-toxic, so if colloidal oatmeal isn’t available you won’t have to worry about it injuring your dog while you try to relieve itching and allergy symptoms.
4. Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom salt (a magnesium and sulfate mineral compound) is well known for reducing allergic dermatitis-related irritation. Regular Epsom salt baths may help to lessen inflammation and itching in your dog. To ensure you’re safely bathing your dog with Epsom salts, ask your veterinarian for specific instructions on how to do so.
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil does a great job of relieving discomfort from dog eczema and allergic skin reactions. It can also relieve fleas and bug bites on your dog. Protect your dog by using human-branded virgin or unrefined coconut oil. You can add a bit to your dog’s food to boost their diet or apply it to the inflamed skin. Just make sure to consult your veterinarian before adding something like this to your dog’s diet.
K9 Advantix II Alternatives for Dogs
Some of K9 Advantix II for dogs alternatives include;
- Advecta 3
- Tevrapet Activate II
- Provecta Advanced
- PetLock Max
- Vetality Avantect II
- ParaDefense Advanced.
K9 Advantix® II Precautions
- Children should not apply products.
- Till the treated area is totally dry, avoid contact with it or allow kids to do so.
- Applying too much solution to one area could result in some of the solution running off the side of the dog.
- Never allow your dog to eat this product or get it in their eyes.
- For the product to operate properly, dogs must be dry before treatment and must continue to be dry for 24 hours following application.
- Avoid using it on cats. Do not let cats around treated dogs for 24 hours.
What is the difference between Advantix and oral flea and tick products?
Advantix is a topical medication that is applied to your dog’s skin and kills fleas and ticks immediately upon contact. It also repels ticks, particularly the deadly paralysis tick. On the other hand, for the oral flea and tick drugs to work, the parasites must bite your dog for them to come into contact with the blood with medication. Since Advantix kills fleas and ticks without requiring a blood meal, your dog will have less discomfort and a lower chance of contracting illnesses and parasites. Additionally, Advantix deters mosquitoes, sandflies, and stable flies, among other flying, biting insects.
FAQs
What are the K9 Advantix® II for Dogs active ingredients?
The active ingredients are 8.8% imidacloprid, 44% permethrin, and 0.44% pyriproxyfen.
Can I use other flea treatments along with K9 Advantix?
It’s generally not a good idea to use many flea treatments at once because it could result in more adverse reactions or drug interactions. Consult your veterinarian about possible more effective treatments if K9 Advantix isn’t working for your dog.
Can I use K9 Advantix on a dog with a history of seizures?
Consult your veterinarian before administering K9 Advantix if your dog has a history of seizures as some of the medication’s chemicals have the potential to cause seizures in sensitive canines. The best flea and tick prevention for your pet can only be determined with the assistance of your veterinarian.
Is K9 Advantix waterproof?
Waterproof K9 Advantix keeps working even after bathing, swimming, or exposure to rain. To make sure the medication is properly absorbed, it is advised to wait at least 48 hours after administration before bathing your dog.
Why Do I Still See Fleas On My Dog After Giving It Advantix?
Even though Advantix kills fleas on your dog and flea larvae in his environment, fleas in your home may still jump on him after treatment. The presence of fleas on your dog indicates that their environment has been contaminated. Fortunately, once they hop onto your dog and start to reinfest, these fleas are also destroyed by contact when you use Advantix. And with the consistent monthly application of Advantix, there won’t be any more flea generations to contaminate the environment around your dog or reinfest your dog.