Side Effects of Advantage Flea Medicine
Advantage flea medication, when applied monthly, has been shown to alleviate the biting and itching of fleas in both cats and dogs. To be most effective, the medicine should be administered under the direction of a veterinarian.
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Function
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Imidacloprid, the active ingredient in Advantage, works by paralyzing and eventually killing adult fleas after being absorbed into the animal's skin. According to PetMeds, the online pet pharmacy, Advantage will stop fleas from biting within 3 to 5 minutes and kill 98 percent to 100 percent of adult fleas within 12 to 24 hours.
Effects
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Anecdotal reports on Advantage show rare cases of hair loss and dermatitis at the application site and drooling if the animal licks the site. Even rarer are reports of itching, a medicinal odor, lethargy, lack of appetite, hyperactivity and respiratory problems.
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Misconceptions
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Proponents of holistic medicine maintain that the active ingredients in chemical flea medications have shortened life spans and caused terminal illness and death in lab animals. Traditional veterinary medicine states that the benefits of flea medicine far outweigh the risks.
Warning
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Pet owners are warned not to apply canine Advantage to their cats as this may cause vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, seizures and respiratory issues. If this misapplication occurs, owners would wash the cat with a liquid dish-washing detergent and see their vet immediately.
Prevention/Solution
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Side effects rarely occur when owners follow application directions on the Advantage box. Owners should consult their veterinarian when using Advantage on debilitated, aged, pregnant and nursing animals.
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