[MaryH]

I really want to use something (and less is better) as a tick and heartworm preventative. K9 Advantix claims to repel and kill ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and biting flies. Fleas and biting flies are not of huge concern to me but ticks (Lyme disease) and mosquitoes (heartworm) are. I just don't like using lots of chemicals. I've reads lots of good reviews on K9 Advantix as a flea/tick preventative but wonder how effective it is as a heartworm preventative. Have any of you who live is mosquito areas used just K9 Advantix with good results?

 

[Hunter's Mom]

Mary I will be waiting to see what hte responses are. We are still on frontline and heartguard and I wish it were less. I ended up not getting the Lyme Disease Booster for Hunter and lucky us - ticks have been pretty nonexistant this summer (minus the gross spring).

 

[dr.jaimie]

k9 advantix is not for heartworms...there is advantage multi that is for heartworms.

 

[kissmyhorse]

K9 Advantix is an external parasite medication only. I've been using it on all my dogs - Roxy(Malt) who is 5 lbs, Barna (terrier mix) 27 lbs, and Bronco (Boxer mix) 65+ lbs - with awesome results against fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. I live in southern FL so the bugs are very present all year round but my home has been parasite free for years. For internal parasites I use Heartguard and have had equally successful results.

 

[MaryH]

k9 advantix is not for heartworms...there is advantage multi that is for heartworms.

I was kind of hoping that because it "repels and kills mosquitoes" that it would kill the mosquito before it could bite (possibly infecting the dog with heartworm). I just read the info for Advantage Multi but it doesn't appear to kill ticks. Do you know of any product that addresses both ticks and heartworm or do I really need to use two different products? If that's the case then I will probably dose down Frontline and Ivermectin. Thanks.

 

[PreciousPrince]

I tried it once and was warned about it causing itchy reactions, and sure enough Perri got really itchy and I had to wash it off. I just wanted to let you know so you can try it on a day when you are able to be there to observe and give baths if needed.

 

[Ella'sMomma]

I tried to use it on Ella as flea control and she had a horrible reaction to it. She was itching like crazy and couldn't settle down. She couldn't get comfortable and started growling very strangely. I had to rush to the bathroom and wash her with dawn. It was awful. I now use frontline even though it doesn't work as well on fleas here.

 

[Ladysmom]

I tried to use it on Ella as flea control and she had a horrible reaction to it. She was itching like crazy and couldn't settle down. She couldn't get comfortable and started growling very strangely. I had to rush to the bathroom and wash her with dawn. It was awful. I now use frontline even though it doesn't work as well on fleas here.

Ella was probably reacting to the permethrin K9 Advantix.

Permethrin and Pyrethrin Toxicity in Dogs

If fleas are your main concern, try regular Advantage. It does not contain permethrin and works better on fleas than Frontline IMO.

 

[dr.jaimie]

the only product for heartworm, flea, and tick is revolution...isnt the best for fleas but does get all 3

 

[LittleDogLVR]

I tried to switch to advantix in the spring, Lizzie was fine Codie got the itchies really bad and the site where it was applied turned bright red and swelled up. Had to wash it off and take him to the vet.
Vet visit was covered by the makers of Advantix....forget who it was but If you do try it do keep a good eye on them after the application

Every dog is different !

 

[jmm]

I was also going to suggest Revolution. Though it doesn't get all types of ticks it works fine for us in VA. I use it on Jonathan. It will def. be pricier than getting Interceptor and a spray bottle of Frontline.

 

[Maisie and Me]

Maisie, Beau and Cody had horrible reactions to advantix. They became hyper, itchy and Maisie was panting like she ran a marathon. Very scary!!! Will never, never use it again. It can have severe side effects in small dogs. We washed it off immed and it took hours to wear off. We use Frontline plus and interceptor with no problems.

 

[MaryH]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to return the Advantix, get Interceptor instead (heartworm protection) and go back to using Frontline (flea/tick protection). I will dose down the Frontline based on weight of each dog. Advantix sounds scary based on the number of your dogs who have had skin reactions. Revolution covers American dog ticks but does not cover deer ticks and that's what I'm looking to protect against as deer ticks carry Lyme disease. Last year I had to treat one dog with Lyme disease and really don't want anyone else to get Lyme disease if it can be prevented.

 

[maltlovereileen]

Sounds like a good plan, Mary. If you live in an area with a high rate of heartworm, I would worry less about an all in one than one that really does the job - heartworms are bad news

 

[edelweiss]

Mary, Kitzel had a terrible reaction to Advantix---The vet's partner gave it to him. I am certain it was too high of a dose for such a little peanut (it was their smallest number). I would not use it again for any reason. I am using pure Neem oil in an organic coconut oil conditioner that I mix fresh each bath time. I use a mosquito net at night and I spray frontline on the comb and give him a few swipes. I know he could still get bitten & get something dreadful but at the moment I am not taking chances on a chemical reaction---will try again when he grows. Good luck.

 

[MaryH]

Thanks, Sandi. Around here the mosquitoes pretty much stay outside so I can skip the mosquito netting ... good thing because I slept one night in a game lodge in Kenya under mosquito netting and really felt creeped out, like being caught in a spider web. :w00t: My dogs love being out in the yard during the summer and although I've never had a heartworm problem after dealing with one with Lyme disease last summer I just don't want to tempt fate with any kind of creepy little bugs.