Description
Advocate (active ingredients: imidacloprid and moxidectin) is a comprehensive, monthly spot-on treatment for dogs that provides broad-spectrum protection against a wide range of internal and external parasites, including fleas, most intestinal worms, mites, lice, and heartworm.
Key Benefits and Protection
- Rapid Flea Control: Kills fleas on contact (meaning they don’t have to bite your dog to die) within 3 to 5 minutes after contact with a treated dog, and prevents re-infestation for at least four weeks. It also kills flea larvae in the dog’s surroundings, helping to break the life cycle.
- Comprehensive Worming: Moxidectin is absorbed into the bloodstream to treat and prevent most gastrointestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms), including larval, immature, and adult stages. It does not, however, control tapeworms, so a separate treatment (like Drontal) may be needed for that.
- Heartworm Prevention: When used monthly, moxidectin effectively prevents heartworm disease by killing the L3 and L4 larval stages.
- Mite and Lice Treatment: Treats and controls ear mite infestations, sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange, and biting lice.
- Water-Resistant: The treatment is water-resistant and remains effective after bathing or swimming, though it’s recommended to avoid prolonged immersion for 4 days after application.
Administration and Safety
- Application: Applied topically to the skin between the shoulder blades for dogs under 25kg. For larger dogs, the dose is divided into 3-4 spots along the back to prevent runoff.
- Dosage: Available in different strengths based on dog weight. Dogs over 40kg require a combination of tubes.
- Suitability: Safe for puppies from 7 weeks of age and weighing at least 1 kg. The safety of use in pregnant and lactating bitches has not been established in some regions.
- Warnings:
- Advocate for dogs must NEVER be used on cats, as the ingredients can be fatal to them.
- Care should be taken to prevent the dog from licking the application site immediately after treatment, which can cause salivation due to the bitter taste.
- Occasionally, transient side effects like temporary hair loss, greasy fur, itching, or vomiting may occur.
- Consult a veterinarian before using on sick, debilitated, or underweight dogs.
- Treated dogs should not swim in aquatic environments for 4 days after treatment, as the product is harmful to aquatic organisms.
