Bio Spot Defense Flea & Tick Control For Dogs vs. K9 Advantix II Comparison

Bio Spot Defense Flea & Tick Control For Dogs

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K9 Advantix II

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Program

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Kills Fleas

Repels Fleas

Kills Flea eggs and Larvae

Prevents Development

Kills Ticks

Repels Ticks

Kills and/or Repels Mosquitoes

Prevents Heartworm

Other Parasites Information

Repels and prevents blood-feeding by biting flies and kills chewing lice.

Waterproof (shampooing once a week can reduce effectiveness)

Not Applicable

Safe for pregnant or nursing Pets

Consult your veterinarian

How long does it take to work

1-2 Days

Kills Fleas 12 hours

Begins to work immediately.

Taste

Applied to Skin

Beef Flavor

Active Ingredient(s)

Permethrin/Pyriproxyfen (Nylar)

Imidacloprid/ Permethrin/Pyriproxyfen

Lufenuron

RX Required

Dosage

Usage

Video

Coming soon

Vet Review

This topical product that has been around for years is really a potluck type product in my opinion and experience. Many of my clients, who could not afford the other commonly veterinary recommended topical flea/tick pesticides, have found this product a quite helpful much more economic and effective product than the more expensive competitors. . However I have had equal number of clients, who have used this product, been quite disappointed with the results, and their infestations seemed to have gotten worse after starting with this product. I personally don't recommend this product,for my biggest concern that overrides any economic savings that clients have, are the sometimes serious side effects I have seen with certain sensitive pets in my practice and experience. This has ranged from local irritation and greasiness in the coat, to an almost burn like eruption at place of application, to more serious systemic effects like excess drooling, ear itching/irritation and in rare cases neurological side effects including suspected seizures shortly after application. Although these side effects are not common, I feel their severity over rides my ability to recommend this product, I would stick with the more widely veterinary recommended products like Frontline, Advantage or Advantix. I therefore give this product an overall rating of a 2. Its efficacy is a 2 and its ease of use is a 4.

I love the broad acting antiparasitic effects of this product, which covers protection against a wider variety of pests to our pets than the competition. I feel it works the quickest in terms of flea/tick killing, and I love the fact that it repels fleas and ticks as well. Given that we are uncovering new and emerging tick born diseases, I prefer a product that repels in addition to quickly killing ticks, as well, and thus prevents tick attachment and transmission of disease. We are also now recognizing that mosquitoes can transmit diseases like West Nile virus to dogs, and so the added protective benefit of Advantix on mosquitoes and flies makes it quite attractive, especially for those clients whose pets spend a lot of time outside in the yard in the warmer months, when flies are most active. With this product I see much less fly strike and maggot infestation of outside dogs because of this added benefit. By repelling mosquitoes, we also get less transmission of potential heartworms to dogs. I have found that some smaller breeds of dogs are sometimes sensitive to the permethrin ingredient in this product, occasionally becoming excessively sensitive after application. I also find that although the product is labelled as water proof, on those pets, who are frequently bathed or swimming for long periods, that the product may need to be applied more frequently than once monthly. Some clients also find it somewhat more inconvenient in larger breeds having to apply the product in several spots, rather than in a single spot like its competitor.

For my clients who prefer an effective non-pesticide manner of preventing and controlling fleas on their dogs and cats, program offers a wonderful alternative. When this product first came out, I used to educate my clients on the fact that it was in essence a birth control pill for fleas. The main ingredient lufeneron is an insect growth regulator that does not kill adult fleas, but sterilizes adult fleas and prevents them from laying eggs that develop into larvae and future adults. Each adult flea can lay up to 2000 eggs in its life. It is because of this effect on flea development which makes program such a wonderful preventative. For existing flea infestations, I don't find this product works as well unless it is combined with oral Capstar, which kills adult fleas on cats and/or topical products like Frontline or Advantage. I have found this product both very safe and effective with only rare side effects seen i.e rare digestive upset. It is best given with a meal for maximal absorption which is hard on some kitty owners My overall rating of this product is a 4 with ease of use a 4, taste a 4 and efficacy a 5, in particular for preventing flea infestations before they become established.

Our expert panel consists of licensed veterinarians and the knowledgeable staff of PetMed Express, Inc. d/b/a 1-800-PetMeds. Neither the Company nor any of its employees or consultants make any warranties, expressed or implied, or representations about the accuracy or completeness of the content or the content of any site or external sites. Likewise, no legal liability or responsibility is assumed for the accuracy or completeness of any information, or usefulness of products discussed. While every effort has been made to accurately represent the qualities and characteristics of each product, which for the most part were taken directly from the websites of the manufacturers, we are not responsible for any errors. The information presented is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.