FAQs Canada

Is the efficacy of advantage multi diminished by water? What about a dog that swims in salt water?

Exposure to water, as may occur with swimming or rainfall, beginning 60 minutes after treatment, does not reduce the effectiveness of advantage multi in the prevention of heartworm disease.

Previous studies with Advantage^® have shown that swimming or bathing with a grooming shampoo does not significantly reduce the effectiveness against fleas. It does not matter if the dog goes swimming in fresh or salt water.

Is advantage multi safe for use on pregnant and lactating dogs and cats?

Imidacloprid and moxidectin, the active ingredients in advantage multi, have been extensively studied and both ingredients have been shown to not cause cancer, birth defects or damage to the genes. Reproductive safety studies with the combination advantage multi have not been completed at this time.We recommend a risk benefit analysis be performed if you choose to use advantage multi in pregnant and lactating animals.

How does advantage multi work on the prepatent period for roundworms?

advantage multi is indicated for the removal of roundworms, including the L4 and sexually immature stages and adult worms in cats.With removal of the immature stages, it is not required to repeat dosing in 2 weeks as all intestinal stages are removed, preventing development of patency during the treatment interval. Current label indications on advantage multi for dogs do not include the removal of L4 and the sexually immature stages of roundworms, although these indications apply to both species of hookworms in dogs.

Since advantage multi is such a good dewormer, how often should we be deworming puppies and kittens?

advantage multi is indicated for use on puppies 7 weeks of age and older and kittens 8 weeks of age and older with monthly applications. Since advantage multi removes more life stages of immature worms there is no need to deworm based on prepatent periods of the target nematodes and monthly applications are effective.

Have there been any suspect adverse reactions seen with advantage multi^TM?

The most common reactions seen are similar to those seen with application of Advantage^®. These are drying at the application site, powdery residue at the site of application, and rare skin sensitivity to the benzyl alcohol in the formulation.

What size of advantage multi do I use on a dog over 45kg?

Dogs over 45 kg should be treated with the appropriate combination of advantage multi tubes.

Why are we asked to keep pets separated after application until the product dries?

Just like with Advantage, it is preferable to separate pets to prevent mutual grooming. If this were to happen, the pet that licked advantage multi may hypersalivate or vomit because of the bad taste.

How does advantage multi fit into our strategic deworming program?

Advantage multi provides excellent treatment and control of roundworms and hookworms in both dogs and cats and complements a year round strategic deworming program. In Canada, prevention of heartworm is seasonal and year round strategic deworming programs can be achieved by starting with a broad-spectrum removal product such as Drontal^® Plus or Drontal^® early in the spring.

Following 6 months treatment with advantage multi, a final broad-spectrum treatment can be administered in the fall with Drontal Plus or Drontal.

When is the best time to apply advantage multi for heartworm prevention?

Advantage multi administration should start one month before the first expected exposure to mosquitoes and should continue at monthly intervals until one month after the last exposure to mosquitoes.

Can I use advantage multi on pocket pets or exotic animals?

Extensive safety studies have been conducted on dogs and cats. Safety studies have not been completed on pocket pets or exotic animals and therefore they should not be treated with advantage multi.

Do we have to heartworm test dogs before application?

Advantage multi may be safely administered to heartworm infected dogs. However, it is recommended, in accordance with good veterinary practices, that all dogs 6 months of age or older should be tested for patent heartworm infections before beginning prophylactic medication.

Can I use advantage multi 18 on an 8kg dog?

Advantage multi for dogs contains a different level of the drug active moxidectin than the level contained in the product for cats. It is important to use the specific cat or dog product to ensure the effectiveness in the target species.

If a heartworm test is not performed and the dog is HW positive, is there a chance for a reaction following application of advantage multi^TM ?

Advantage multi has activity on L3 and L4 stages of D. immitis but not on the L1, L5 and adult heartworm. Studies have been conducted in dogs and cats to demonstrate the safe application of advantage multi in heartworm positive animals.

Is advantage multi safe to use on ivermectin sensitive breeds?

Advantage multi was applied to ivermectin sensitive collies at 3X and 5X the label dose with NO adverse effects.

How many doses of advantage multi have been used in Australia?

Advantage multi is currently in its second season of use in Australia. In 2004 there were over 300,000 doses applied.

What size of advantage multi do I use on a cat over 8.2 kg?

Cats over 8.2 kg should be treated with the appropriate combination of advantage multi tubes.

What is the recommendation if a client forgets to apply advantage multi during heartworm/flea prevention season?

The client can apply the dose immediately and then adjust the monthly schedule to the new start date, or wait and apply at the next scheduled interval. Since we know it takes 70 – 120 days for the L4 stage of the heartworm to develop to the L5 stage, advantage multi will still be 100% effective for preventing heartworm, even if a monthly dose is missed.

Have safety studies been conducted in cats and dogs with advantage multi?

Advantage multi has been proven safe when applied at up to 5X normal dermal dose on kittens/puppies and 10X normal dermal dose on adolescent adult cats and dogs.

advantage multi was shown to be safe when applied to heartworm positive cats and dogs at up to 5X the normal dermal dose.

Is there an expiry date?

All drugs must have an expiry date. Currently, advantage multi has an expiration date of 36 months after the date of manufacture.

How does advantage multi actually kill the worms?

The drug active moxidectin is rapidly absorbed through the skin. The moxidectin acts on the glutamate-gated ion channels of target parasites, allowing influx of chloride ions, causing hyperpolarization of the nerves of nematodes, resulting in the flaccid paralysis and death of these nematodes.

Is this the same drug that is in Proheart^® 6?

Moxidectin is the active ingredient that is in advantage multi and Proheart^® 6. Health Canada and numerous other regulatory agencies globally have recently reviewed and approved advantage multiand determined the topical formulations are safe and effective. Currently the CVM (Centre for Veterinary Medicine in the United States) is reviewing potential suspect adverse reactions in the injectable formulation only.

Can I shampoo my dog after application?

Shampooing or bathing 90 minutes after treatment does not reduce the effectiveness of advantage multi in the prevention of heartworm disease. Previous studies with Advantage^® have shown that swimming or bathing with a grooming shampoo does not significantly reduce the effectiveness against fleas.

What happens if a pet owner gives advantage multi by mouth?

Oral safety studies at label dose have been completed on 4 - 8 month old dogs and cats to determine the possible side effects of accidental oral ingestion. The most common side effects seen in cats were hypersalivation and vomiting. Dogs were observed to vomit or have temporary inappetence.

What is the minimum age that you can apply advantage multi on puppies and kittens?

Advantage multi is indicated for puppies 7 weeks of age and older and for kittens 8 weeks of age and older.

My client has a couple of doses of another heartworm product left over from last year. After they have completed this medication when should they start on advantage multi?

Advantage multi should be given at the next normal monthly interval to continue preventing heartworm.