PetMeds^® Blog

Topical Revolution is a simple monthly topical parasiticide for many external and internal parasites (fleas and heartworms), and has been increasing in use in recent years because of its many possible potential applications. Unlike many of its competitors like Frontline or Advantage, topical Revolution does require a written prescription from a veterinarian. I have found it most useful in controlling fleas, ticks and ear mites in dogs and cats.

Veterinary dermatologists often are now frequently using it off label every 2 weeks for a total of 3 treatments in many itchy dogs to treat any possible hidden scabies mange mites, which are often difficult to find on even multiple skin scrapings at the vet office. Topical use in cats has also helped in protecting cats from the intestinal parasites roundworms and hookworms. While it’s labeled for efficacy against heartworms, in my opinion I still stick with the tried and tested prescription monthly heartworm preventative medications such as Interceptor and Heartgard. This is because in my experience over the years I have seen a few rare pets test positive for heartworms when relying exclusively on Revolution for heartworm prevention. I often get questions about safety issues around people, but as long as you allow the product to completely dry, which occurs up to 2 hours after applying, there seems to be no risk to humans. Also, animal guardians can be free to bathe their pets anytime after this two hour mark, as this product is labeled as water proof. While supposedly being safe to use in pregnant animals, I personally never like or recommend applying topical pesticides to pregnant animals.

K9 Advantix is one of the most common used once monthly topical pesticides used for external skin parasite control, covering fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. One of the nicer benefits is that it will still be effective even after washing and bathing (wait 24 hours after applying), and has additional benefits of not only quickly killing mature and immature fleas and ticks, but in also repelling these parasites from biting as well. It comes in very convenient dosing packaging for dogs up to 10 pounds, dogs from 11-20 pounds, dogs from 21-55 pounds, and dogs over 55 pounds.

If your pet is on the border of these dosage cut offs, you can always start with the lower dose of K9 Advantix, however, if effective pest control is not seen, than giving the higher dose is certainly safe in most pets. It is not necessary to separate dogs after dosing them topically with this product, however, if dogs are actively playful and/or licking one another, it may be best to have them apart for a few hours, until the product has had a chance to dry.

A few years ago, it was recommended not to purchase this product if an animal guardian also had cats due to their sensitivity to the permethrin insecticide in this product. However, that labeling has now changed and it is ok to use in households with cats, as long as animal guardians wait until the product is completely dry on the dog before exposing them to household cats.

I have not heard of its use in other species, although an animal guardian of exotic pets can certainly contact Bayer to find out if this is possible. Side effects are rare, but may include (in sensitive pets):

-          Contact irritation/allergy causing hair loss at site of application

-          Digestive upset

-          Neurological reactions such as seizures (rarer cases)

If this should occur, changing to a different topical pesticide like Frontline Plus or trying a natural alternative may be helpful. I never recommend using two topical pesticides at the same time such as Frontline Plus or K9 Advantix. However, if one is not working for an animal guardian, make sure one is treating the home adequately for fleas, as well as one could change from one product to another. It is typically not harmful to humans unless the product is swallowed or gets in one’s eyes. But I have heard of isolated reports of skin numbness following contact with the product, thus animal guardians should always wear gloves when applying this or any topical pesticide in my opinion.

Many effective flea control products have made their way onto the market over the past few decades, and veterinarians as well as pet owners are often confused as to which ones are the most effective.  It seems that every few years a new topical flea medication is coming out touting superiority over another. However, at the same time many clients may also complain that some of the older products don’t work as well as they used to.  There is plenty of supporting data published by leading parasitologists that indicate that most, if not all of the products are still quite effective.

The biggest problems we’re seeing when flea control fails, lies with veterinarians who are not educating clients on the multipronged approach needed for effective flea control. These steps include not only treating your pet, but also the environment and yard, as well as following product label or veterinarian instructions. The key to effective client compliance is to treat all of the cats and dogs that come in contact with your own.  It is also important to recognize the complex and long life cycle of the flea, which includes multiple stages from the very resistant eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult stages.

It’s important for clients to realize the importance of continuing flea treatment, especially in severe flea infestations, which may sometimes take up to several months to have the flea infestation under the control.  Pet owners should be aware that there are always potentially new sources of fleas, including stray cats or dogs, and various wildlife that can deposit eggs into the outdoor or inside environment.

Some of the more effective topical flea treatments in my experience include the same topical products that have been around the longest, such as Frontline Plus, Frontline Topspot, Advantage, and K9 Advantix. Many of these and other modern flea medications kill adult fleas and/or prevent maturation of the eggs into larvae on the pet, or sterilize adult fleas from producing tremendous amount of eggs (such as the oral Program flea medicine). However, if the environment is not treated, flea eggs can still hatch and develop into larvae and adults. That’s why it is important to treat the home with excellent flea control products like Virbac Knockout Fogger, or even having your home professionally exterminated. Virbac Yard Spray is also a wonderful product that is often effective against various life stages of the flea in the yard.

For those clients who prefer a more natural approach to flea control, this will indeed require more diligent and persistent efforts. This method can range from adding fresh garlic or brewers yeast to your pets’ diets, or using various essential oil products now available. In addition, more natural flea control products like Be Flea Free Shampoo and Fleabusters products can be used while under the guidance of a veterinarian who is familiar and trained in their use.

With heavily infested animals, I often start my clients with a dose of oral Capstar, which will kill adult fleas within a few hours. Capstar can be repeated up to once daily until the topical or oral products have a chance to take effect. And for pet owners with puppies or kittens, Capstar is especially beneficial for these animals because they can quickly become anemic from a severe flea infestation.

No matter which approach is taken, it’s important to address a flea problem from a multifaceted stance and to remember to be consistent by giving all animals within your home flea medication each month.