K9 Advantix II Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Folks spring is just around the corner.  Yes, that means warmer weather, but that means the bugs will be out.  Fleas, ticks, flies, and ::gulp:: mosquitoes LOVE pets.  But, do you know what it could mean for your dog if they become infested with any of those parasites? Here are a few consequences of allowing your pet to become infested.

Ticks: 

Tick on left is before feeding and the tick on the right is an engorged tick 

Ticks can cause a variety of problems. One of the major problems a tick infestation can cause is anemia; a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells.  Anemia happens because ticks feed on the animal's blood.  

One of the major Tick-Borne Diseases that is found in dogs is Lyme Disease; a bacterial disease that is spread through the bite of a tick.  

Here is a list of less known tick-borne diseases that can be found in dogs:
American Canine Hepatozoonosis
Babesiosis (Piroplasmosis)
Tularemia
Haemobartonellosis
Tick Paralysis
Anaplasmosis
Ehrlichiosis
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Flies/lice (I don't count mosquitoes in this category):

 Fly bites are annoying and can HURT. If the skin becomes damaged enough the flies might think it would be a good place to lay....eggs...which lead to...maggots...

Lice are just annoying and yucky.

Mosquitoes:

I am sure at one point or another we have all been bitten by a mosquito, but some people still don't know that mosquitoes can be more than annoying, they can be down right deadly.  

West Nile Virus has been around for a while now, but did you know your dog can contract WNV, too?  The following viruses and protozoans have also been found in dogs: dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya fever, Rift-Valley fever, malaria. 

However, viruses and protozoans are not the only concern you have with mosquitoes, you also have to worry about parasites that can be passed from the mosquito to the dog. Heartworms have claimed the lives of too many dogs.  Some were only because the pet parents did not realize that their dog were at risk for heartworm infections.  Is your dog at risk?  YES!  All dogs (and cats too, but that's a different post) are at risk for heartworms.  I, as a vet assistant, have seen dogs who spent zero time outside test positive for heartworms. Remember, it only takes one mosquito. 

Fleas:

Flea dirt (aka flea poop) is a HUGE sign that your pet has fleas.

It may just start as one flea, but an adult female flea can lay 40 eggs a day!  There are several problems that can start with a single flea.  Tapeworms, anemia, and flea bite dermatitis are the most common problems associated with fleas. 

Now that I've given you a good scare, there is some good news.  There is a product that has been on the market for several years now that can kill and/or repel fleas, mosquitoes, biting flies/lice, and ticks.  That product is called K9 Advantix II.  

There are three active ingredients in K9 Advantix II, imidacloprid and permethrin are used to attack the nerve cells of the parasites, while pyriproxyfen is there to affect the life cycle of any fleas that are currently on the dog.  

K9 Advantix is really easy to apply too.  All you have to do is make sure your dog has not been bathed in the past two days, lift the hair back on the neck, and apply.  There is no need to run it all the way down the back, the K9 Advantix is designed to spread it's self through the oils in the dog's skin.  

One thing you need to remember is not to give your dog a bad for 48 hours after you apply the K9 Advantix, and also use a soapless shampoo so that the K9 Advantix will last longer.  

You should never apply K9 Advantix or any other product containing permethrin on cats.  This can prove to be fatal.  Dogs who are sensitive to permethrin, should also not use K9 Advantix.  If you have any questions, do not be afraid to call your vet.  

K9 Advantix can be purchased at most vet offices and some pet stores.  I offer a word of caution when buying online.  Make sure the online retailer is selling only products that are guaranteed US EPA approved.  

EntirelyPets.com sells 2, 4, 6, and 12 month supplies of K9 Advantix.  Just go to http://www.entirelypets.com/k9-advantix-ii.html to view their selection and prices.  

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.