Advantage Flea Control Side Effects
Advantage Flea Control is a topical medication, that when administered monthly, protects both dogs and cats from fleas. However, while Advantage is one of the safer and most popular flea treatments, it is still composed of chemicals that can have negative side effects on your pet’s health if not administered correctly.
The most common side effect of Advantage is irritation. In some dogs and cats, it can cause the area of the skin on which the medication was applied to become red, slightly swollen, and itchy. Additionally, after application of the medicine, a pet’s fur may remain oily or give off a slightly medicinal odor. While these side effects may cause discomfort, they should disappear within a few days after application.
Additionally, in rare cases Advantage may cause a few changes in your pet’s behavior. There are scattered reports of pets becoming lethargic, losing appetite, or become hyperactive after application. However, in studies conducted on Advantage Flea Control, lethargy, loss of appetite, and hyperactivity were only evident in 0.8% of dogs tested. These side effects lasted anywhere from one to ten days in those animals tested.
Many of the side effects caused by Advantage Flea Control are due to wrongfully applying the medication. This flea treatment is only to be applied topically, and is not safe for consumption. When the treatment is consumed it can cause drooling, depression, weakness, muscle spasms, dilated pupils, and panting. This product may also cause irritation if it comes into contact with the eyes. However, thoroughly flushing the eyes after contact will be able to limit irritation and remove the product safely.
Properly Use Advantage Flea Control to Minimize Side Effects
Advantage is highly effective and rarely produces side effects if administered correctly. Pet owners should be sure to carefully follow the instructions that are included with the treatment while applying the medication to the animal. This includes only applying flea control treatments that are specifically designed for your pet’s species. For example, Advantage for cats should not be applied to dogs, as the reverse is also true.
As the instructions clearly state, Advantage is to be applied at the scruff of the neck, where an animal will not be able to lick or remove the treatment. In addition, this product is not to be applied to pets that are pregnant, sick, underweight, or under 7 weeks of age, as it may cause adverse reactions. However, when properly administered, Advantage Flea Control is a great treatment for keeping your pet flea free.
Every cat I’ve ever had (and that is 5 of them) has always gotten sick after I apply Advantage for Cats. It always passes without a crisis, but I make sure I only apply it when I can keep an eye on them and on a day the vet will be open, just in case. My cats don’t vomit. At least not inside the house where I have noticed. They are indoor/outdoor cats. But they act needy and want to be held or want to stay close to me (like they do when it thunders) then they will find a quiet place and sleep for a long time. After several hours and a good sleep they are always fine but I just know after 8 years of cat ownership and 14 years of dog ownership, my cats react differently to flea medicine that my dog did. Each time I give it to them, it makes them nauseous or something because their behavior changes. Every time. Every cat. It’s obviously a side effect that is very common.
I have an 8 pound 2 year old Siamese. This is the second time that I have applies this product (Advantage II for small cats). I have never been so worried or scared for my pet since this application. Immediately after the application, he ran off and began running up and down the hallway. He would stop, mid-run, and begin biting his legs like he was being bitten by something. And for the first time since I have had this cat, he hissed! Not at me, not at anything, he just looked, his tongue slightly protruding and hissed at the air. His eyes have been more dilated than ususal, more like in the hunt/attack mode. He has spent the past two days in the dark under beds, which is totally unlike him. (Usually he is my shadow and right by my side, in my lap, on my shoulder.) We are going to the vet tomorrow. He has been standing in the middle of the hallway and letting out a catterwall or two and then going back in the dark. Also, playing “Mice under the blanket,” where he chases my hand under the blanket, has stopped. It is almost like he can’t focus on were the noise is coming from. He can hear it, but his eyes aren’t following the sound like he used to. I am petrified! MONITOR you pet constantly for at least 72 hours after applying this. I would hate to think that this product would be responsible for doing any permanent damage to my cat. but seeing that it works on the Cental Nervous System in Fleas, I guess it would be just as easy for it to attack the Central Nervous System of the cat. Never Again!!!!!!!!
I gave my indoor 6 month old 6lb cat the correct dosage the correct way 4 days ago. He is still very sleepy and is playing less. I have also noticed that he is kinda jumpy and his fur is getting oily as well. Looks like this is going to lead to even more more money spent at vet as if this stuff isnt expensive enough as it is… im very suprised theress not more info on net about these side effects considering last comment made. Needless to say i am not very happy about this experience.