Fleas are a common problem for dogs. They can cause itching and skin problems, and can even lead to serious health issues if left untreated. There are many different fleas treatments on the market such as Frontline Vs Advantage, but it can be difficult to determine which one is right for your dog.
In this blog post, we will compare Advantage vs Frontline – two of the most popular flea treatments available. We will discuss how each product treats adult fleas, as well as the pros and cons of each one.
Table of Contents
What Is A Flea?
A flea is a small, wingless insect that lives off the blood of animals. Dogs are a common host for fleas, as are cats and other furry pets. Fleas can cause a lot of problems for dogs, including itchiness, skin irritation, and even hair loss. If left untreated, fleas can also lead to serious health problems like anemia and tapeworms.
How Fleas Harm Your Dog
Self-inflicted Alopecia
Fleas can cause your dog to excessively groom themselves, leading to Self-inflicted Alopecia. This is a condition where your dog essentially starts to bald due to overgrooming.
If your dog has alopecia (also called hair loss), it’s a very common thing to happen. Alopecia is not the same as shedding, which is a normal part of your dog’s hair growth cycle and depends on the dog’s breed. Alopecia is not the same as having your dog’s hair fall out.
In the case of the term “alopecia,” you can have thinning hair or spots where you lose hair (bald spots). Where the hair loss happens can depend on what is causing it, but it can also be a sign of something else.
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Symptoms That Come With Alopecia
- Mild to severe scratching (but sometimes there is no scratching at all).
- Skin that is red, inflamed, thickened, oozing, bleeding, malodorous, or pigmented is called a “red spot” (black)
- With pustules (red spots), plaques, or hives on your skin, you have papules (red spots).
Hives
Another common issue caused by fleas is hives. Hives are raised, itchy welts that can appear on your dog’s skin. They are often the result of an allergic reaction to pesky para. This can be very uncomfortable for sensitive dogs.
It is called urticaria, or hives, and it causes raised red welts on the skin. Most people who get urticaria have an allergic reaction. There are a lot of places on the body where these swollen bumps can show up. They can be on the face, lips, tongue, throat, and ears.
If the urticaria is caused by bee stings, dogs can have a lot of swelling around their faces and lips.
If the swelling spreads to the throat, the dog may not be able to breathe, which is called anaphylaxis (see the handout “Anaphylaxis in Dogs”). Most cases of urticaria go away on their own and don’t pose a big health risk to your pet.
Tapeworms
Perhaps the most serious health problem that can be caused by fleas is tapeworms. Tapeworms are parasites that live in the intestines of animals. They are typically transmitted when an animal ingests a flea that is infected with the parasite. Tapeworms can cause weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting in dogs. If left untreated, they can be fatal.
It can sometimes be seen that the proglottid segments are crawling near the anus or on the surface of fresh waste. Proglottids dry out, and these eggs are released into the outside world, which is when they hatch. There are times when the dried proglottids can be seen stuck to your dog’s fur.
Another sign that your dog has worms is if his anus scoots across the ground, on a rug, or on another rough surface. This is because the segments are causing his skin to itch, which is bad for him. There is a chance that your dog will lick or bite the area. When your dog vomits, some of the tapeworms may come out.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to the proteins in flea saliva. This can cause several skin problems in dogs, including redness, swelling, and hair loss. Flea allergy dermatitis is one of the most common reasons why dogs end up at the vet for treatment.
When a dog is young, he or she can get FAD. Most dogs get FAD between the ages of two and five. Dogs who have other types of allergies, such as allergies to pollens, molds, and dust mites, are more sensitive to flea bites and are more likely to get FAD than dogs who don’t have other allergies.
Anemia
Another serious health problem that can be caused by fleas is anemia. Anemia is a medical term that refers to a low number of red blood cells (RBC’s), hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb), or both. If you have this, you don’t have a specific disease.
Instead, it is the result of some other disease process or condition. This can be caused by blood loss from flea bites, or from your dog ingesting fleas while grooming themselves. Anemia can cause weakness and fatigue.
The most common and easiest way to tell if you have anemia is to look for your dog’s gums and see if they are pale pink or white.
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Anemic dogs also don’t have a lot of stamina or energy, so they seem tired or lazy more quickly. There may also be signs of blood loss (such as a bloody nose, blood in the stool, urine, or vomit) that show that someone is sick.
What Harm Can Flea Bring to Humans
While fleas don’t typically bite humans, they can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people. In rare cases, fleas can transmit diseases from animals to humans.
Bubonic Plague
The most common disease that is transmitted by fleas is the bubonic plague. The bubonic plague is a bacterial infection that is spread by fleas that are infected with the bacterium Yersinia pestis. This disease is most commonly found in rodents, but can be transmitted to humans if they are bitten by an infected flea.
While the bubonic plague is rare, it is a serious disease that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Other diseases that can be transmitted by fleas include:
– Typhus
– Tapeworms
– tularemia
How do Flea Treatments Work?
There are many different types of flea treatments available on the market, but they all work to achieve the same goal: kill ticks and fleas and prevent them from coming back. Some products kill ticks fleas, while others focus on preventing flea eggs from hatching.
Pet Shampoo
One of the simplest and most common flea treatments is pet shampoo. Flea shampoos have extra ingredients that make fleas less likely to bite or kill them.
There are many different brands and formulations of pet shampoo, but they all work in essentially the same way. Pet shampoo is applied to your dog’s fur and left on for a specific amount of time (usually around five minutes) before being rinsed off.
There are also flea shampoos that are made with natural ingredients, but many of these products may not be as effective as those that are made with medicine.
Spot-On Treatments
Spot-on treatments are one of the most popular types of flea treatments. They are easy to use and can be bought without a prescription.
Spot-on treatments work by killing fleas and preventing eggs from hatching. Most spot-on treatments contain an insecticide called pyrethrin, which is derived from Chrysanthemum flowers. The Effectiveness of this treatment was tested using an insect growth regulator.
Spot-on treatments are applied to a small area on your dog’s back, between the shoulder blades. The medicine is then absorbed into your dog’s skin and spread throughout their body.
Oral Flea Treatments
Oral flea treatments are another popular option for flea prevention. These products are usually taken once a month and work by killing adult fleas and preventing eggs from hatching.
Oral flea treatments usually contain an insecticide called nitenpyram. This ingredient works by paralyzing the flea’s nervous system, which causes them to die.
It’s important to remember that oral flea treatments can be dangerous if not used correctly. Be sure to follow the directions on the package carefully and only give your dog the recommended dose.
Flea Collars
Flea collars are a popular choice for many pet owners, but they are not always effective. They work by releasing a small amount of insecticide into your dog’s fur.
The problem with flea collars is that they only kill adult fleas, not eggs. This means that the fleas can quickly come back if you don’t use another form of treatment along with the collar.
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Flea collars are also not always safe for all dogs. Some dogs may have an allergic reaction to the insecticide in the collar, which can cause irritation and even hair loss.
Flea Powder
Flea powder is another product that can be used to kill adult fleas. It works in a similar way to flea collars, by releasing an insecticide into your dog’s fur.
However, flea powder can be difficult to use and may not be as effective as other flea treatments.
Flea Sprays
Flea sprays are a convenient way to kill fleas, but they only work on adult fleas. They can be used on both dogs and cats and are safe for most pets.
Flea sprays usually contain an insecticide called pyrethrin, which is derived from Chrysanthemum flowers.
To use a flea spray, simply spray it onto your pet’s fur and massage it in. The spray will kill any adult fleas that are on your pet and prevent eggs from hatching.
Natural Flea Treatments
There are many natural flea treatments that can be used to prevent and treat fleas. These products usually contain ingredients like essential oils, which can be effective at killing fleas.
However, it’s important to remember that natural flea treatments may not be as effective as those that contain medicine.
When using any type of flea treatments, be sure to follow the directions on the package carefully.
Some treatments are not safe for all dogs, so it’s important to choose a product that is right for your pet.
Frontline or Advantage
The top two most popular brands in the market today are Frontline and Advantage. They are both approved by vets and have already been found out.
Both Frontline and Advantage are well-known all over the world for good reasons. Both repels fleas and other parasites and are good in sensitive skin. If your only concern is to choose which topical application to use, its better to talk to your veterinarian. They can help you choose the best flea treatments for your pet dog.
Frontline Plus
Frontline Plus by Merial is an animal health product. This product claims to kill all adult fleas on the first day of application and to kill stubborn ticks in two days.
It claims to be able to break the flea life cycle by working nonstop for 30 days. Fipronil and (S)-methoprene are the active ingredients in this product.
Composition
Fipronil kills adult fleas and ticks by attacking their nervous systems. This is one of the active ingredients of Frontline Plus This causes them to become paralyzed and die right away. It spreads all over your dog’s body all the time thanks to your dog’s natural body oils. It kills flea eggs and flea larvae with (S)-methoprene, which is the second ingredient in the spray. Keep your pet safe from fleas because both active ingredients work together to end the flea life cycle and keep them away from your pet.
In addition, the formula of Frontline Plus is good at getting rid of lice, tick treatment and sarcoptic mange. As a bonus, it also helps to protect you from mosquito bites. This means that you should be aware that the treatment is waterproof. So, your pet can play in the water and get a bath once a week.
Price
Below are some popular products and their prices for three doses.
Orange – Dogs up to 22 lbs.- $38.99
Blue – Dogs 23-44 lbs. – $36.53
Purple – Dogs 45-88 lbs. – $38.99
Red – Dogs 89-132 lbs. – $38.99
Pros
- The combination of fipronil and (S)-methoprene is highly effective
- Kills fleas, ticks, lice, and sarcoptic mange
- Waterproof
- Prevents mosquito bites
Cons
- Some people are concerned about the safety of fipronil
- May be harmful to fish and other aquatic animals
Advantage II
Advantage II by Bayer is one of the brands veterinarians prefer for flea treatment and prevention. It claims to kill all adult fleas in as little as 12 hours.
Fleas come in a variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from eggs to flea larvae to full-grown fleas. This product is designed to address all of them. Even if there is a lot of water around, its three-way protection lasts for up to 30 days. It has a waterproof formula that kills fleas on contact with your dog and your home. This helps to keep fleas at bay.
Composition
The active ingredient in this product is imidacloprid. It works by attacking the nervous system of fleas and other pests, causing them to become paralyzed and die.
Price
Below are some popular products and their prices for four doses.
Small dog, under 10 lbs. – $44.98
Medium dog, between 11-20 lbs. – $44.98
Large dog, between 21-55 lbs. – $49.08
Extra-large dog, over 55 lbs. – $56.70
Pros
- Kills ticks, fleas, and lice
- One application lasts for 30 days
- Safe for dogs and puppies over seven weeks old
Cons
- Some people are concerned about the safety of imidacloprid
- May be harmful to fish and other aquatic animals
Which Is Better?
Verdict
If you want to protect against fleas (in all of their stages), you should choose Frontline Plus instead of Advantage II. It kills fleas in 12 hours on its packaging, unlike Frontline Plus who doesn’t say that on its packaging.
The most important thing to remember is that no single flea treatment is 100% effective. This means that even if you use a flea treatment, you may still see the occasional flea on your dog. This isn’t necessarily a sign that the treatment isn’t working. Rather, it’s a sign that you need to be vigilant about flea prevention and treatment.
How To Apply:
- Carefully open the product.
- The best way to apply them is to remove the pet’s collar first.
- Your dog’s skin should show on the back of his neck
- You should apply the product to your dog’s neck, unless your dog is very big or very big. In that case, you should apply the product four times along your dog’s back, ending at the top of the tail.
- Do not to wash your dog for 24 hours after applying both products. This will make sure that the products have fully penetrated the dog and that there are no gaps.
- After you apply and then throw away the product, wash your hands thoroughly.
Conclusion
Advantage or Frontline for your pup? The answer really depends on your pet and individual circumstances p. If you have a dog that lives mostly indoors, then Frontline may be the better choice – it has a longer lasting effect than Advantage.
However, if your furry friend likes to spend time outdoors (or even just goes out on walks), then Advantage would be more effective in preventing those pesky parasites from taking hold. Both frontline and advantage are effective in killing ticks and lice.
Whichever product you choose, make sure to read the labels carefully, has added protection for lactating dogs and follow all instructions closely to get the best results. As pet parents, always ask professional advice with your veterinarian if you have any questions on how to control lice and flea treatment for dogs. Thanks for reading!