Isw Your Dog Acting Strangely After Advantix? All dog owners know the importance of flea preventive medicine. It is a must-have for every canine household. Fleas are nasty little beings that need no introduction to dog pet owners especially dog parents and cat lovers.
A dog infested with fleas goes through constant discomfort and itching that can cause soreness in the skin. Fleas are troublesome because they can easily be transferred from one dog to another. So, it is important to get rid of fleas from their source, so they do not infest other pets.
What is K9 Advantix?
Advantix or K9 Advantix is a well-known flea preventive medicine that is also effective to kill and repel ticks and mosquitoes. Advantix is effective for:
- It prevents fleas from infesting your home
- Ticks can act as vectors for different diseases. So, K9 Advantix kills fleas that might be carrying diseases like Lyme disease or tularemia. It also gets rid of ticks that can cause tick paralysis
- It also kills and acts as a mosquito repellant that might cause heartworm disease and West Nile Virus. Advantix repels mosquitoes that cause an allergic reaction in dogs and cause swelling on the skin
- It kills fleas that can transmit or cause tapeworm disease.
- Advantix has only been formulated to kill and repel ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and lice in dogs. It must not be used on other pet animals such as cats or domestic animals.
To get the best results, flea medicine is applied between the shoulders using a tube in which the medicine comes in. For larger dog breeds, apply for the medicine at four or five different spots on the body. The dog won’t be able to lick off the medicine and ingest it. Dogs that lick flea medicine can get a foamy mouth from the bitter taste of the medicine. Nonetheless, the dog should not be allowed to lick the medicine in any case.
Advantix usually takes around 12 hours to start working. However, you should refrain from touching the dog for 48 hours and wait until the medicine has been completely absorbed in the skin. It must be remembered that the dog has to be seven weeks or older for the K9 Advantix Medicine to be rendered safe.
Active Ingredients in K9 Advantix
Before we discuss why your dog is acting strangely after applying Advantix, we must know the active ingredients used in this flea preventive medicine. It gives us a better idea of how the medicine works and how it can affect your dog.
Imidacloprid(8.8%) and permethrin(44%) are the main ingredients that are used to repel infection-causing insects in dogs. The combination of both these ingredients is very effective in repelling and killing ticks, fleas, lice, and mosquitoes. Imidacloprid is an insecticide that is safe for use on dogs. It is widely used in flea preventive medicines such as K9 Advantix or Bayer Advantage flea drop.
Permethrin is also highly effective in eliminating fleas and ticks. However, you should not let your dog swim in a pool or river for 48 hours after applying a product containing permethrin because it is toxic to cats and fish.
Side Effects of K9 Advantix
Veterinarians widely accept K9 Advantix flea preventive medicine as an effective treatment for fleas and ticks. It has been deemed safe for dogs and does not have any adverse side effects on dogs. It depends if your dog has allergic sensitivity to any of the ingredients present in the medicine. So, you should read the ingredients list carefully and check if your dog is allergic to any of the ingredients.
According to VetInfo, it has been reported that a small percentage of dogs were exhibiting abnormal behavior after the application of K9 Advantix. Dogs have been noticed to start running in circles, increased breathing rate, lethargy, and excessive itching. If you notice these signs in your dog, contact your vet right away.
Why do dogs act strangely after applying K9 Advantix?
There might be many reasons as to why your dog is acting weird after the application of K9 Advantix. It can also be possible that your dog is acting strangely for some other reason. Some of the reasons for the behavior change are mentioned here:
Your dog is allergic
Dogs can be allergic to anything. Some dogs are even allergic to chicken, corn, or beef. You don’t know what your dog is allergic to until it comes in contact with your dog. So, your dog may be allergic to an ingredient used in Advantix. If you are using Advantix for the first time and your dog starts acting strange, stop using it and contact your vet.
Your dog has ingested the medicine
Even if K9 Advantix has been given the green flag for use on dogs, it does not mean that it is safe for ingestion. It is an ectoparasiticide and topical medicine. It should only be applied on the surface of the skin.
Therefore, you should ensure that your dog doesn’t lick any of the medicine after the application. If your dog ingests the medicine, it might start foaming in the mouth. However, ingesting a large amount of the medicine can cause diarrhea, weakness, and loss of balance in dogs.
Your dog is wounded
Your dog might start acting weird if your dog has some sort of wound under all the fur and you have accidentally put the medicine on the wound. The medicine can irritate or react with the wound causing discomfort or pain. The medicine can also get into the bloodstream through the exposed wound and cause toxicity.
You have applied for the wrong flea medicine
This happens when a dog owner opts for self-medication for their dog rather than sticking to the vet’s prescription. Different dogs need different flea treatments. Large dog breeds need to be treated differently than small dog breeds. So, always give your dog flea treatment according to the weight, age, and vet’s prescription.
The Bottom Line
I hope you know why your dog is acting strangely after Advantix by now. Giving your dog the right flea treatment is essential. Flea treatment medicines such as the K9 Advantix is a lifesaver for dog owners, but you must take precautions to keep your dog safe and sound.
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