Advantage drops: an effective remedy in the fight against fleas

Composition Advantage

"Advantage" contains:

1. Imidacloprid is the main component that has a therapeutic effect.

Imiacloprid disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses in insects, causing the death of parasites. The substance kills both adult insects (insecticidal action) and parasite larvae (larvicidal action of the drug).

1. Benzyl alcohol. Added to the drug as a preservative. Prevents contamination of the drug during the shelf life.
2. Propylene carbonate. Acts as a solvent.
3. Butylated hydroxytoluene. An auxiliary substance that inhibits the oxidation of the drug.

Release form

"Advantage" is available in the form of a solution for external use. The solution should be transparent, from yellow to light brown.

The drug is packaged in plastic pipettes of different volumes: 0.4 and 0.8 ml. The package may contain 1 or 4 pipettes.

"Advantage" is easy to find in large chain stores and small veterinary pharmacies.

Average price for a package of 4 pipettes:

• 0.4 ml. – 800 rub.;
• 0.8 ml. – 980 rub.

Buy Advantage for cats

Average cost of 1 pipette:

• 0.4 ml. – 200 rub.;
• 0.8 ml. – 220 rub.

Prevention

Regular use of the drug Advantage to prevent infestation by fleas and other arthropods will help avoid suffering for your pet. After all, cats not only have to constantly endure itching from bites, but also irritation caused by allergic reactions to flea saliva.

Moreover, bites from infected fleas can lead to helminthic infestations in the cat.

Therefore, regular prevention is the key to maintaining the health and well-being of your pet, and the budget price for Advantage for cats makes this procedure more affordable.

Indications for use

"Advantage" is used to treat cats against external parasites: lice, fleas, lice. The product has a high safety class and can be used independently, without consulting a veterinarian.

The drug begins to act after 5 minutes: fleas bite your cat less. Within 12 hours the insects die. The medicine accumulates in the fur and skin and acts for another 4 weeks, protecting the pet from parasites from the external environment.

Repeated treatments against parasites can be carried out no more than once every 28 days.

The drug can be used to prevent infection. Application schedule: once every 4 weeks.

"Advantage" is a low-toxic drug, so it can be used by kittens from 10 weeks of age . The instructions indicate that the drug does not have a toxic effect on the formation of the fetus in pregnant cats. However, before use in pregnant females, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.

It is not recommended to combine the drug with other remedies for external parasites.

Reviews about the product

Yuri, veterinarian: “Advantage is a proven antiparasitic agent that has many advantages. Among them are maximum effectiveness in the fight against ectoparasites, a long-lasting effect and prevention of the appearance of fleas, lice, ticks, lice and other organisms for 30 days.”

Yulia, the cat’s owner: “Noticing that the cat had red spots all over its body, I went to the veterinary clinic for help. There they determined that the pet was attacked by fleas. The vet prescribed Advantage. I applied the drops to my cat for several days. I was pleased with the result. I recommend it to anyone looking for an effective remedy for parasites in pets.”

How to calculate the dose of the drug

The dose of the medicine is selected individually, depending on the weight of the pet.

• kittens from 10 weeks and cats weighing up to 4 kg receive 1 pipette of 0.4 ml ;
• cats weighing 4-8 kg – 1 pipette 0.8 ml .

Important! For animals that weigh more than 8 kg, personal calculations are applied.

The manufacturer's official website contains detailed guidelines for dose selection:

• adult cats 8-12 kg – 1 pipette 0.8 ml + 1 pipette 0.4 ml;
• cats weighing 12-16 kg - 2 pipettes of 0.8 ml.

Step-by-step application instructions

It happens that the owner is no less worried about the manipulation than the animal. In such conditions, it is easy to apply the drug incorrectly or mix up the dose. Step-by-step instructions will help minimize the possibility of error.

1. The animal must be weighed immediately before the procedure.
2. The next step is to calculate the dose (see point above).
3. Before using, you need to put on gloves. The drug may cause an allergy if it comes into contact with human skin.
   

   Important! Do not start the procedure if the cat is irritated or frightened. The restless animal spins around and does not allow the drug to be applied correctly. If applied incorrectly, the medication may not work or may end up in an area where your cat can lick it off.

4. Remove the cap from the pipette and hold the pipette vertically. Use the back of the cap to pierce the tip of the pipette. After this you can start applying.
5. Before applying, make sure that the cat’s skin is not damaged: there are no scratches or scratches. If you apply the solution to damaged skin, the drug will enter the bloodstream and cause symptoms of poisoning.
6. The drug is applied to the area where the cat cannot lick the drug: between the shoulder blades or at the base of the neck.

   
   

7. Before starting the procedure, spread the fur and apply the solution only to the cat's skin.
   

   Helpful advice! If the pet resists, hold the cat behind its back with your left hand.

8. After completing the procedure, move the fur. Do not massage or pet your cat until the product is completely dry.
9. It is advisable not to wash the animal for 48 hours after application.
10. It is not recommended to play with the cat or pick it up until the drug has completely dried. Residues of the drug in contact with human skin may cause an allergic reaction or irritation.

Important! The child can put the remaining drug into his mouth with his hands. If you have children, explain that they cannot play with the cat today.

Personal precautions

When treating your pet, it is important to follow personal hygiene and safety rules for working with chemicals.

When treating a cat, it is forbidden to eat or drink drinks. After work, you must wash your hands thoroughly using laundry soap and warm water. For 24 hours after treatment, it is recommended to isolate the animal from children. If the drug comes into contact with open mucous membranes of the nose or eyes, they must be rinsed with plenty of water.

Note! After treating the animal for fleas is completed, it is necessary to dispose of the empty container and wash your hands thoroughly under running water and soap.

If a person accidentally swallows a medicine, it is necessary to take enterosorbent (white activated carbon, Polysorb, Smecta) and seek help from your doctor.

Contraindications and side effects

The drug is contraindicated in:

• individual intolerance;
• kittens up to 10 weeks.

When applied correctly, side effects are rare. Local reactions may occur: redness of the skin at the site of application, itching. Symptoms go away without treatment after 1-4 days.

If you incorrectly calculate the required dose or use Advantage for dogs in cats, symptoms of overdose may occur:

• Increased salivation. This symptom is easy to identify: the fur on the chin and chest is wet and can roll into “icicles.” The place where the cat sleeps has wet spots on the bedding.
• Depressed state. The cat is lethargic and less active than usual.
• Muscle tremors. An overdose causes large convulsions throughout the animal's entire body.
• Pupil dilation.

If you notice such symptoms, you need to quickly wash the drug off the skin and contact a veterinarian.

Important! If the solution is applied incorrectly, the cat may lick it off. Due to the bitter taste, increased salivation will begin. This is not a symptom of an overdose and does not require treatment. Observe the animal: if the symptom goes away within 5 minutes, there is no need to worry.

Operating principle

Advantage against fleas and other parasites is a chloronicotinyl insecticide. Its main component demonstrates pronounced insecticidal and larvicidal effects. This means that imidacloprid destroys sexually mature individuals and larvae of ectoparasites.

After penetrating the skin, the main component interacts with the cholinergic receptors of pests. As a result, neurotransmission is disrupted, which leads to paralysis and death of arthropods.

Flea drops for cats are applied to a separate area of ​​the skin, but the active component is evenly distributed throughout the body. Imidacloprid practically does not penetrate into the bloodstream.

The active substance accumulates in the upper layers of the epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and wool. The drops quickly exhibit a healing effect and destroy parasites. The insecticidal and larvicidal effects last for 4 weeks.

Interesting! Advantage is a low-hazard drug (hazard class 4). It has been proven that it does not irritate the skin at the site of application, does not cause allergies, intoxication, does not disrupt embryonic development and does not cause mutations.

Advantage's analogues

"Advantage" has analogue drugs that have the same properties and indications for use. Below, we will compare products similar in action to “Advantage”.

1. "Foresto" - flea collar. The drug is released. Contains imidacloprid and flumethrin.

Suitable for the treatment and prevention of external parasites: fleas, lice, lice. Due to the combined composition, it also acts on ticks. Provides protection for 8 months. Can be used on cats from 10 weeks of age.

Differences from Advantage:

• Lower safety class: the drug is considered moderately toxic. More often than "Advantage" it causes side effects: depression, increased salivation, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite.
• Cannot be used on sick or convalescent animals.
• It is necessary to control the tightness of the collar. The device should not fit too tightly so as not to rub the animal’s skin. And it should not hang “like a necklace” so that efficiency does not decrease.
• More suitable for animals that spend a lot of time outside. For example, for “country” cats, or free-range pets.
• Use for pregnant and lactating females is possible only as prescribed by a veterinarian.
• Price in stores from 1200 to 1900 rubles.

1. “Stronghold” – drops on the withers. Releases. The active ingredient is selamectin. Helps get rid of external and internal parasites. Effective against fleas, ear mites, lice and intestinal parasites.

Differences:

• Can be used on animals from 6 weeks of age.
• Lower safety class: the drug is considered moderately toxic.
• Average cost depending on dose: from 800 to 1000 rubles. per package.

1. "Bars Forte" is a Russian drug in the form of drops. The main component is the potent substance fipronil. Used to kill lice eaters, fleas, and ticks.

Peculiarities:

• The drug is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating cats.
• The drug should not be administered to infected or weakened animals.
• For animals weighing less than 3 kg, the dose should be calculated in drops. When applying it is easy to make a mistake and exceed the number of drops. Overdose may cause side effects.
• Price "Bars Forte": from 300 rubles. per package.

What to do if a cat licked Advantage and how to avoid poisoning?

Imidocloprid is the main active ingredient in the flea and tick drug Advantage, although it is low-toxic, it is still a serious chemical component.

Naturally, if a cat licks Advantage, it will not die, but poisoning of the animal is quite possible. It is extremely important for cat owners to know how intoxication manifests itself and what to do. The condition of the animal depends not only on the dose of insectoacaricide that has entered the body, but also on the state of its defenses.

The main signs of poisoning are:

• refusal to eat;
• increased feeling of thirst;
• increased salivation;
• stool disorder (diarrhea for several days);
• dilated pupils;
• severe itching (an allergic reaction);
• discharge from the lacrimal canal;
• impaired coordination of movements.