Target species
Dogs (see also Advantage 40 mg Spot-on Solution for Small Cats, Small Dogs and Pet Rabbits datasheet)
Indications for use, specifying the target species
For the prevention and treatment of flea infestations and for the treatment of biting lice (Trichodectes canis) on dogs.
Fleas on dogs are killed within one day following treatment. One treatment prevents further flea infestation for four weeks.
Use the appropriate Advantage spot-on product.
Contraindications
Do not treat unweaned puppies of less than 8 weeks of age.
Do not use in animals that are known to be hypersensitive to the active substance or any of the excipients
Special warnings
Special warnings:
If signs of disease persist or appear, consult a veterinary surgeon. Re-infestation from emergence of new fleas in the environment may continue to occur for six weeks or longer after treatment is initiated. To aid reduction in environmental challenge, the additional use of a suitable environmental treatment against adult fleas and their developing stages is recommended. In order to reduce further the environmental challenge, it is recommended that all dogs, cats and rabbits in the household are treated, as necessary, with an appropriate product. Treatment of nursing bitches controls flea infestations on both dam and offspring.
The veterinary medicinal product remains effective if the animal becomes wet, for example after exposure to heavy rain or after swimming. However, re-treatment may become necessary, depending on the presence of fleas in the environment. In these cases do not treat more frequently than once weekly.
Unnecessary use of antiparasitics or use deviating from the instructions given in the SPC may increase the resistance selection pressure and lead to reduced efficacy. The decision to use the product should be based on confirmation of the parasitic species and burden, or of the risk of infestation based on its epidemiological features, for each individual animal.
The possibility that other animals in the same household can be a source of re infection with biting lice should be considered, and these should be treated as necessary with an appropriate product.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in the target species
This veterinary medicinal product is for topical use and should not be administered orally.
Care should be taken to avoid the contents of the pipette coming into contact with the eyes or mouth of the recipient animal.
Do not allow recently treated animals to groom each other.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
This product contains benzyl alcohol and may cause skin sensitisation or transient skin reactions (for example, irritation, tingling).
Do not get the product on your skin or in your eyes or mouth.
If you get the product on your skin, wash it off with soap and water.
If you get the product in your eyes, wash your eyes thoroughly with clean water.
If the product causes any irritation to your skin or eyes that is persistent, contact your doctor.
If the product is swallowed, contact your doctor immediately. Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst using this product.
Wash hands thoroughly after use.
After application, do not stroke or groom animals until application site is dry.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Imidacloprid is toxic to aquatic organisms. To avoid adverse effects on aquatic organisms, treated dogs should not be allowed to enter surface water for 48 hours after treatment.
Other precautions:
The solvent in this product may stain or damage certain materials including leather, fabrics, plastics and finished surfaces. Allow application site to dry before permitting contact with such materials.
Adverse events
Dogs.
Very rare (1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports): | Agitation Hypersalivation1 Disorientation, Nervous system disorder (e.g. Depression, Incoordination, Tremor) Skin reactions (e.g. Hair loss, Itching, Reddening of the skin, Skin lesion) |
1May occur if the dog licks the application site immediately after treatment due to the bitter taste. This is not a sign of intoxication and disappears within some minutes without treatment.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
No primary embryotoxic, teratogenic or reproductive toxic effects have been observed during the studies with imidacloprid on rats and rabbits. Studies on pregnant and lactating bitches together with their offspring are limited. Evidence so far suggests that no adverse effects are to be expected in these animals.
Consult your veterinary surgeon before using in pregnant or nursing animals.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No incompatibility has been observed between this product at twice the recommended dose and the following commonly used veterinary products: fenthion, lufenuron, milbemycin, febantel, pyrantel and praziquantel. The compatibility of the product was also demonstrated with a wide range of routine treatments under field conditions including vaccination.
Do not use simultaneously with other flea products which are applied directly onto the animal.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Spot-on use.
Underdosing could result in ineffective use and may favour resistance development. To ensure a correct dosage, body weight should be determined as accurately as possible.
Dosage and treatment schedule
Dog (kg bw) | Product | Number of Tubes | mg/kg bw |
Less than 4 kg | Advantage 40 mg Spot-On Solution for Small Cats, Small Dogs and Pet Rabbits | 1 x 0.4 ml | minimum of 10 |
4 to less than 10 | Advantage 100 mg spot-on solution for medium dogs | 1 x 1.0 ml | 10 -25 |
10 to less than 25 | Advantage 250 mg spot-on for large dogs | 1 x 2.5 ml | 10 -25 |
25 to less than 40 | Advantage 400 mg spot-on solution for extra large dogs | 1 x 4.0 ml | maximum of 16 |
40 and greater | Advantage 400 mg spot-on solution for extra large dogs | 2 x 4.0 ml | minimum of 20 |
Fleas are killed within one day following treatment. One treatment prevents further flea infestation on dogs for up to 4 weeks. Should re-treatment become necessary earlier than 4 weeks, do not re-treat more frequently than weekly.
Method of Administration
Remove one tube from the package. Hold tube in an upright position, twist and pull off cap. Use reversed cap to twist and remove seal from tube. After use, replace cap on tube.
For dogs less than 25 kg body weight:
With the dog in the standing position, part the coat between the shoulder blades until the skin is visible.
Place the tip of the pipette on the skin and squeeze firmly several times to empty the contents directly onto the skin.
Do not apply an excessive amount of solution at any one spot that could cause some of the solution to run off the side of the dog Correct application will minimise the opportunity for the dog to lick the product. Apply only to undamaged skin.
For dogs of 25 to less than 40 kg body weight only:
The dog should be standing for easy application. The entire contents of the pipette(s) should be applied evenly to three or four spots all located at different application sites along the dog’s backline from the shoulder to the base of the tail. At each spot part the coat until the skin is visible.
Place the tip of the tube on the skin and gently squeeze to expel a portion of the contents directly onto the skin
For Dogs of 40 kg body weight and greater only:
Remove two tubes from the package. Using the techniques described above apply the entire contents of each tube evenly to three or four spots all located at different application sites along the dog's backline from the shoulder to the base of the tail.
For all dogs:
Do not apply an excessive amount of solution at any one spot that could cause some of the solution to run off the side of the dog.
Correct application will minimise the opportunity for the dog to lick the product.
Apply only to undamaged skin.
Symptoms of overdose (and where applicable, emergency procedures and antidotes)
No adverse clinical signs were produced by either individual doses of up to 200 mg/kg body weight (eight times the normal dose), daily treatments at 100 mg/kg for five consecutive days or weekly treatments at five times the maximum dose rate for eight consecutive weeks.
In rare cases of overdose or licking of treated fur, nervous system disorders (such as twitching, tremors, ataxia, mydriasis, miosis, lethargy) can occur.
Poisoning following inadvertent oral uptake in animals is unlikely. In this event, treatment should be symptomatic under veterinary medical attention. There is no known specific antidote but administration of activated charcoal may be beneficial.
Special restrictions for use and special conditions for use, including restrictions on the use of antimicrobial and antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products in order to limit the risk of development of resistance
Not applicable.
Withdrawal periods
Not applicable.