Activyl vs. Seresto for Cats Comparison

Activyl

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all weights, 15" collar length

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EasySpot for Cats

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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

Chewing lice for up to 30 days.

Waterproof (shampooing once a week can reduce effectiveness)

Safe for pregnant or nursing Pets

How long does it take to work

Reapply Activyl every 30 days.

Starts working in 1 hour

Taste

Applied to skin

Active Ingredient(s)

indoxacarb

Fipronil

RX Required

Dosage

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.

This reliable and more economical alternative to Frontline comes from a very reliable company, Elanco. Its main ingredient, fipronil, probably has the most clinical record of experience of efficacy over many years, in killing both adult fleas before they lay eggs, as well as various species of ticks. Its safety is touted by supposedly targeting only the nervous system of the pests. With cats, we always must be careful when evaluating the newer generation of emerging pesticides for fleas and ticks that are coming out, as kitties' detoxification pathways are typically more sensitive than dogs'. Most kitties tolerate this single spot application quite well. In addition to being waterproof, so important for outdoor kitties, this product is easier to apply than most competitors, as well as leaving no pungent or chemical smell like many over the counter competitor products. Most of my clients have found it as effective as Frontline, but not as quick as Advantage. Some clients have complained that it does not seem to repel the ticks, who can occasionally be found attached to the skin before they die. Not only it is important in using products like Easy Spot to prevent flea bite anemia in cats, and unsightly tapeworms, but in recent years, fleas have been shown to carry an increasing number of serious diseases and infections, including Bartonella species, amongst others. Another benefit of this product is that it is labeled as safe to use in pregnant or nursing cats. Side effects, although rare, may include topical irritation at the site of application, lethargy, as well as rare twitching reactions, agitation, and/or restlessness. These are typically short-lived, and fortunately, are very uncommon across pet populations that the product has been used. Some veterinarians and experts have wondered about the recent resistance of fleas to some of the fipronil-based products, but that has not been my experience. I give this product an overall rating of a 4, with an ease of application and efficacy of 4, as well.

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.