Imidacloprid
Imidacloprid is a chemical that is found in a dog’s flea and tick medication and is found in
the product Advantix K-9. The chemical itself fits into receptors meant to
receive acetylcholine in the flea’s nervous system and blocks their acetylcholine
receptors (2). Acetylcholine carries nerve responses from one nerve call to
another. When the acetylcholine accumulates it causes the flea to become
paralyzed and eventually die (2). Advantix is applied along your dogs back in
small drops as it is very oily and you want to put it in places where your dog
cannot lick it. Once you apply the full tube of 100ml along your dog’s back and
neck, put a cone on your dog (to prevent licking) to allow the oily substance
to absorb into the dogs skin. The active chemical imidacloprid should not bother your dog through skin absorption (2). If you are concerned about it
apply some in a little spot on your dogs back and see if any sort of skin
reaction occurs. Do not take your dog swimming or bath them for 24 hours after
the application, the product needs to settle in. Once the 24 hours are up your
dog is protected against fleas and ticks for 3-4 months (2). If your dog does
have fleas when you apply this it will stop the fleas from biting in 3-5
minutes, within 12 hours 98-100% will be dead (2)!
Imidacloprid has a similar function as nicotine found in cigarettes; it comes from the same
chemical family (1). You can find this chemical worldwide in insecticides. It
is safe to use on your dog because imidacloprid is only truly harmful to the
flea because of physiological differences. Applied topically Advantix it will
not harm your dog but will kill the flea (2). If your dog does ingest this
product it may experience some vomiting but will pass with in 24 hours, imidacloprid
is not lethal is the amount of the dosage you will be applying (3). Be careful
when choosing a flea and tick medication for your cat, if the product says for
dogs only, it’s for dogs only. Cats physiologically are different from your dog
and if imidacloprid is mixed with a product called permethrin it could
seriously harm your cat, which is why the product will be labeled for dogs only
(2).
(2)
References:
1) Blagburn,
D., & Dryden, D. (2009). Biology, Treatment, and Control of Flea and
Tick Infestations. Vet Clinic Small Animal, 39, 1173-1200.
2) Imidacloprid.
(n.d.). Bayer Advocate/Crop science. International Animal Health. Retrieved October 10, 2014,
from
3) Imidacloprid General Fact Sheet. (2010) Oregon State University. Retrieved October 10, 2014, from
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