Activyl vs. Bravecto Topical for Dogs Comparison

Activyl

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Bravecto Topical for Dogs

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Frontline Plus

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Kills Fleas

Repels Fleas

Kills Flea eggs and Larvae

Bravecto also kills newly emerged fleas before they can lay eggs.

Kills Ticks

Repels Ticks

Kills and/or Repels Mosquitoes

Prevents Heartworm

Other Parasites Information

N/A

Eliminates infestations with chewing lice, aids in the control of sarcoptic mange infestation

Waterproof (shampooing once a week can reduce effectiveness)

Remains effective against fleas and Ixodes ricinus ticks following bathing or swimming (if dog hasn't bathed or swam less than 72 hours after application).

Safe for pregnant or nursing Pets

Safe for use in breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs.

How long does it take to work

Reapply Activyl every 30 days.

Starts to kill fleas in 2 hours.

Kills Fleas within 12 hours and Ticks within 48 hours

Taste

Applied to skin

Applied to Skin

Active Ingredient(s)

indoxacarb

Fluralaner

Fipronil/(S)-Methoprene

RX Required

Dosage

Monthly

Usage

Video

Coming soon

Vet Review

Another recently available new topical flea preventative for dogs and cats. This new product works by being activated by only the flea's enzyme systems into a flea specific mechanism which paralyzes and kills the adult flea. The company claims that it does not get into the blood stream, but stays only in the superficial skin layers of the pet. Any adult fleas which come into contact with this product are quickly killed so that fleas do not have to actually bite the pet, which is tremendously helpful in those flea-allergic pets, where it only takes a few flea bites to set off an extensive itchy allergic reaction. Another wonderful benefit of this product is that it is waterproof, which is especially helpful in those active outside pets who are exposed to rain or like to swim. This effective product starts working within 12 hours of application, where over 90% of adult fleas are killed. Another excellent benefit of this product is that it also inhibits the development of flea eggs and larvae in the environment, which is a big bonus since much of the flea life cycle occurs in the home environment. While Activyl is very safe and effective for most pets, I have seen occasional rare reactions in sensitive pets, which most commonly is seen as irritation or excessive itchiness at the site of application. While the company says that it is odorless, some of my clients have said that they do sense an odor within the first several days of application, as well as leaving an occasional oily film for the first day or two following application. This film, however usually quickly disappears. The only other very rare reactions include digestive upset and/or drooling/neurological reactions, and certainly if a pet has any chronic digestive weaknesses or history of seizures, etc then the local veterinarian should be consulted before applying the product. I give this product an overall rating of 4, with an ease of use of 4.

The makers of the flea and tick preventative oral tablet Bravecto have come up with a new formulation to use topically. With the same main ingredient, Fluralaner, which selectively affects the nervous systems of fleas and ticks, the topical formulation continues to provide reliable protection with the ease of once every 3-month application. Even after bathing or swimming the product remains effective BOTH as a repellent and rapid killer of most stages of the flea life cycle, as well as the additional benefits of killing and repelling ticks. The topical formulation gets around the occasional digestive upset seen with the oral formulation. Rare side effects include itching/irritation at the site of application and even rarer neurological reactions. However, overall the product is quite effective with an overall rating of 4.5 with ease of application of 5.

I find that the effective combination of an ingredient like fipronil, along with the insect growth regulator methoprene, provides the best spectrum of activity and protection against all stages of the flea life cycle from egg through larval stage on to adult. Because of these two main ingredients and their method of action, I find that clients don't have to treat the environment as much. I find that this product tends to be safer in smaller breed animals when compared to its competition. I find its tick efficacy quite good. The fact that it is waterproof also allows clients, whose pets swim frequently, to confidently use this product during the swimming months. I also find that this product works the longest for fleas, while some of the competitive products have to be reapplied before the end of the month. The lack of label efficacy against mosquitoes and flies, as well as the fact that this product does not repel fleas or ticks are the two main disadvantages. As with any insecticidal products, I find that every pet is an individual, in terms of which of the products works best on them. When I am dealing with more of a flea issue in a patient, this is the product I will likely reach for first.

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