With so many products to choose
from, it is very important to discuss your pet's flea medication
needs with your veterinarian.
Not all flea and tick products are suitable for
both dogs and cats. A perfect example is a flea, tick and
mosquito "spot treatment" called K-9 Advantix, made exclusively for
dogs. One of the active ingredients is permethrin, which can
induce a serious adverse reaction in cats. The
packaging of K-9 Advantix is similar to Advantage and Frontline
(both of which have safe, feline-strength sizes) and may
be mistakenly applied to a cat. This could potentially cause
a fatal permethrin toxicity.
However, a mistaken application may not be the
only danger to your cat. Indirect contact may also pose a
major health risk if just after receiving an application of
Advantix, your dog rubs onto furniture that your cat naps on
then grooms himself, or your cat grooms your dog, ingesting the
product, or in some other manner has contact with the
Advantix. Separating resident canines from the felines does
not seem to be a solution, as we don't know for sure how many hours
after application it is safe for the cat. (For these reasons,
we do not carry K-9 Advantix here at Governor. We do,
however, have many safe and effective choices for flea
control).
It is our opinion that the
safest and most effective way to control fleas in your environment
is;
1. Evaluation of your pets health by
your veterinarian on a twice-yearly basis
2. Appropriate choice of medication and
dosage. Depending on your pet's needs, this
will be determined by your veterinarian after the health exam is
completed. Together you will make certain that your pet
is on a safe, effective flea control program for your
household.
3. Purchasing your flea control
medication through your veterinarian. This way you
will be sure that you are well educated on the specific program
chosen especially for your pet, and have the backing of the
manufacturer for *safety, freshness and money-back guarantee for
effectiveness.
* Each year there are thousands of reported
incidents to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center of adverse
reactions with over-the-counter/ internet flea and tick
products, and a large percent results in pet death.
