External Parasites - Flea and Tick Product Comparisons
Advantage |
Frontline & Frontline Plus |
Revolution |
K9 Advantix Use in DOGS ONLY |
|
| Active Ingrediant | Imidocloprid |
Frontline
– Fipronil
Frontline Plus – Fipronil plus Methoprene * |
Selamectin |
Imidocloprid
& Permethrin # |
| Minimum age for use | Puppies
– 7 wk.
Kittens – 8 wks |
Puppies
– 8 wks Kittens – 8 wks |
Puppies
– 6 wks Kittens – 8 wks |
Puppies
– 7 wks DO NOT USE IN CATS |
| Safe for pregnant or nursing dogs or cats | NO
– Approved in other countries but not in U.S. |
NO |
YES |
NO |
| Time from application to flea kill | Zero
fleas in 24 hours |
Zero
fleas in 42 hours |
Zero
fleas in 42 hours |
Zero
fleas in 24 hrs |
| Does it wash off? | YES
Washes off easily with stripping shampoo or swimming.** |
NO
Stored in the oil secreting glands of the skin. This “reserve”
replaces any surface product that is removed. |
NO
Absorbed internally and spreads throughout the body and back to
the skin. Since it works internally, it can’t be washed off.*** |
NO
Manufacturer reports water resistance |
| How soon after a bath may it be applied? | As
soon as the pet is dry |
Best
to wait 2 days after bathing to allow oils to be secreted again. |
As
soon as the pet is dry |
As
soon as dog is dry |
| Are ticks affected, too? | NO
“Flea specific” |
YES
^ |
YES
^ |
YES |
| Any other parasites affected? | Advantage
Fleas only
Advantix Fleas and ticks (on DOGS ONLY) |
Fleas
and ticks only |
YES
^ |
YES
Mosquitoes are repelled and killed |
| Frequency of applicatoin | Monthly |
Monthly
for ticks and fleas on cats. Up to 3 mo. For fleas on dogs. |
Monthly |
Monthly |
| Use on sick, elderly or debilitated pets | Veterinary
advice needed in these cases |
Veterinary
advice needed in these cases |
Manufacturer
specifically cautions against use. |
Veterinary
advice needed in these cases |
| Links to manufacturer's web site |
* * Methoprene – is a long-acting sterilizer of fleas. (A flea
“birth control” product.) Does not kill adult fleas.
* ** Advantage – can only tolerate one shampoo with a non-detergent,
non-degreasing shampoo between applications. More than 1 “swim”
per week is not tolerated well either.
* *** Revolution – Because this product is absorbed into the body,
it is called an “endectocide” and its distribution is regulated
by the FDA.
* ^ Tick claims - Claims can only be made for effectiveness against ticks
that were tested. There is no reason to expect that other ticks will not
be affected. If you are in an area with a large population of ticks, Revolution
may not be the best product to choose for this purpose
* ^^^ Revolution - effective heartworm preventive in dogs and cats, effective
against ear mites in dogs and cats, sarcoptic mange mite in dogs and roundworms
and hookworms in cats.
* # Permethrin – Because of the cat’s unique physiology, it
is not able to detoxify permethrins. THIS INSECTICIDE IS DEADLY TO CATS
DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT ON CATS
For millennia, insects have been developing rapid resistance to products that were designed to kill them. There is no reason to expect that these newer items will be any different. Therefore, it is often advantageous to use alternating products or, (WITH VETERINARY ADVICE ONLY), a combination of products.
What's the Difference? | Fleas | Ticks