K9 Advantix, Advantage, or Frontline? Cheapest place to purchase?

[CZroe]

My mother and brother always ordered K9 Advantix from PetMeds.com. I now live with my sister and her Pom-chu finally has fleas (only seen two so far and she is still 25% shaved from a recent surgery... killed one). Going with the tried-and-true (K9 Advantix), I checked and the difference in price between Petco and PetMeds and I found that it really isn't that much less at PetMeds. Is there a cheaper place to order online? Also, should I try something else? We also have a cat but haven't found any fleas on it. Is one suitable for treating both animals (if needed)?

 

[CZroe]

Oh, and my sister said that Advantage didn't seem to work so well last summer (she was still a little puppy).

 

[trmiv]

I've found the cheapest way to get Frontline on my pets is to just buy the 3 pack of the one for the largest dogs (89-132 pounds I believe). Then you empty the contents of those plastic vials into larger glass vial with a lid. Then get a syringe with ML marks on it, and just measure out what you need and apply it to the dog. The amounts in the vials for each dog size is listed online somewhere. For a dog that size (under 22 pounds) the dose is .67 ml's. The ingredients for Frontline plus for each of the dog size packages is exactly the same, the only difference is the amount you get. It's absurd to pay $40 for a 3 pack of the up to 22 pound Frontline, when for $5 more you can get the 3 pack for 89-132 pound dogs and dose an under 22 pound dog for 18 months. Frontline doesn't expire, so there is no problem doing this.

We have a maltese and a german shepherd. A 3 pack of the 89-132 lb Frontline plus will give me 3 doses for the german shepherd and 6 doses for the maltese. Saves me a ton of money over buying them each the packs for their size. I do the same thing with our cat. Cat Frontline and dog Frontline is almost same, the only difference being the cat Frontline is actually a little stronger. So dosing a cat with the weaker stuff is no problem.

I don't know if any of this applies to the other flea products, and I know that you should NEVER use Advantix on a cat.

 

[BoomerD]

IMO, K9 Advantix is a superior product, BUT, we still usually buy the Frontline Plus.

We used to order it from :
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/...isplay.cfm?pcatid=7200
BUT, the local Costco started carrying it in 3-packs for about the same price, so until they run out of stock, that's where we'll get it.

Once Costco runs out, we'll go back to Dr. Foster & Smith.

GOOD reputable company. I've done aquarium supply business with them (or their predecessor company Pets Whse) for more than 20 years. (back to the catalog/mail-order days)

 

[CZroe]

Thanks! I'm sure the dog would appreciate the immediate relief or K9 Advantix (all of a sudden it is REALLY affecting her) but Costco/Frontline seems like the way to go. If I use the measured medicine-dropper method, how much should I measure out for a little 6lb Chihuahua-Pomeranian? I'm pretty sure the large dog packaging won't tell me and it seems that they keep it locked up in the stores. Strangely, the cat hasn't even scratched himself and I don't see a single flea.

 

[FoBoT]

what section of costco do they stock this stuff ? near the pharmacy? or near the pet food?

 

[surfsatwerk]

http://www.hoofanhound.com/

I typically purchase my pet meds through this site, always had good service and the prices are reasonable.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
what section of costco do they stock this stuff ? near the pharmacy? or near the pet food?

I see it online.

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Thanks! I'm sure the dog would appreciate the immediate relief or K9 Advantix (all of a sudden it is REALLY affecting her) but Costco/Frontline seems like the way to go. If I use the measured medicine-dropper method, how much should I measure out for a little 6lb Chihuahua-Pomeranian? I'm pretty sure the large dog packaging won't tell me and it seems that they keep it locked up in the stores. Strangely, the cat hasn't even scratched himself and I don't see a single flea.

http://www.petshed.com/frontline-plus.asp

For up to 22 pounds: .67 mL

23-44 pounds: 1.34 mL

45-88 pounds: 2.68 mL

89-132 pounds: 4.02 mL

4.02 mL is what is in each of the vials for the red box 89-132 pound Frontline plus. So a 3 pack gets you 12.06 mL, which is 18 doses for a 6 pound dog. ~$45 for 18 doses this way, or ~$250 using the regular packaging.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I just get mine from amazon. A 3 pack of 44-88lb is $30 shipped there.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I just get mine from amazon. A 3 pack of 44-88lb is $30 shipped there.

Good call. The 89-132lb six-pack for $58.61 shipped looks like the best deal. For this little pup an' kit, that'll last ages.

Anyway, I finally saw a flea on the cat today. Any problem with using the "for dogs" formula on a cat? Unlike K9 Advantix, I don't see any warnings. FWIW, we started using K9 Advantix on our dog years ago after my brother told me how well it worked on a kitten he saw that was being eaten alive by fleas (I had seen the kitten days before... it was horrifying). Now, I wonder if he actually saw them give it K9 Advantix (stupidly) or Advantage (they DO sound similar). His description was in-line with K9 Advantix ("The fleas just erupted and started falling off and dying all over it's body within seconds. It was unbelievably effective.").

Because the cat doesn't seem to be in any discomfort, perhaps I'll just get him a flea collar to drive the fleas to the dog where they will die.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I just get mine from amazon. A 3 pack of 44-88lb is $30 shipped there.

Good call. The 89-132lb six-pack for $58.61 shipped looks like the best deal. For this little pup an' kit, that'll last ages.

Anyway, I finally saw a flea on the cat today. Any problem with using the "for dogs" formula on a cat? Unlike K9 Advantix, I don't see any warnings. FWIW, we started using K9 Advantix on our dog years ago after my brother told me how well it worked on a kitten he saw that was being eaten alive by fleas (I had seen the kitten days before... it was horrifying). Now, I wonder if he actually saw them give it K9 Advantix (stupidly) or Advantage (they DO sound similar). His description was in-line with K9 Advantix ("The fleas just erupted and started falling off and dying all over it's body within seconds. It was unbelievably effective.").

Because the cat doesn't seem to be in any discomfort, perhaps I'll just get him a flea collar to drive the fleas to the dog where they will die.

IIRC, the Frontline products are species specific. Don't use the dog formula on cats. the last thing you want is for your cats to start barking and howling at the moon...

For some reason, "dog fleas," the typical fleas that we all fight, don't bother cats much. They pick them up when they're outside, bring them in the house or into the yard, where the dogs pick them up and scratch themselves crazy...yet it's not common for the cats to itch and scratch, even when infested. (this doesn't apply to all flea species...or all cats.)
Flea collars work OK, but only ok. I guy the Frontline Plus cat formula for the felines, although they only get it every two months instead of every month.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I just get mine from amazon. A 3 pack of 44-88lb is $30 shipped there.

Good call. The 89-132lb six-pack for $58.61 shipped looks like the best deal. For this little pup an' kit, that'll last ages.

Anyway, I finally saw a flea on the cat today. Any problem with using the "for dogs" formula on a cat? Unlike K9 Advantix, I don't see any warnings. FWIW, we started using K9 Advantix on our dog years ago after my brother told me how well it worked on a kitten he saw that was being eaten alive by fleas (I had seen the kitten days before... it was horrifying). Now, I wonder if he actually saw them give it K9 Advantix (stupidly) or Advantage (they DO sound similar). His description was in-line with K9 Advantix ("The fleas just erupted and started falling off and dying all over it's body within seconds. It was unbelievably effective.").

Because the cat doesn't seem to be in any discomfort, perhaps I'll just get him a flea collar to drive the fleas to the dog where they will die.

IIRC, the Frontline products are species specific. Don't use the dog formula on cats. the last thing you want is for your cats to start barking and howling at the moon...

For some reason, "dog fleas," the typical fleas that we all fight, don't bother cats much. They pick them up when they're outside, bring them in the house or into the yard, where the dogs pick them up and scratch themselves crazy...yet it's not common for the cats to itch and scratch, even when infested. (this doesn't apply to all flea species...or all cats.)
Flea collars work OK, but only ok. I guy the Frontline Plus cat formula for the felines, although they only get it every two months instead of every month.

According to Wikipedia: "The cat flea's primary host is the domestic cat, but this is also the primary flea infesting dogs in most of the world."
They don't even have an article for the dog flea. But, yeah, they aren't bothering the cat at all. It didn't even care about the one I saw crawling on its face while the dog is just going nuts at any little scratch I can provide (noticed her enjoying it just a little TOO much). The dog only started scratching and biting herself today, but the discomfort is obvious and I'm starting to feel a little "flea dirt."

Anyway, I have never seen a flea collar even repel fleas. Cats without fleas still attract them and develop infestations and it doesn't interfere with the lifecycle of fleas on cats with an ongoing flea infestation. I've never seen a flea bath even slow them down... even the few fleas floating in the bathwater often have a lot of life left in them! The same goes for flea powders and cheap flea medications that are applied the same way as Frontline/Advantix/Advantage (vials of "Hartz" brand crap, for example). It makes me wonder how it's even legal for them to claim that they work. Granted, I'm considering the flea collar and flea bath for the cat just to repel them on the dog... I'm hoping that all they need to do is "prefer" the dog. Maybe I'll give the cat an initial drop of the dog formula just to initialize the plan. Because it's an indoor cat and the only exposure it has is through the dog, I expect it to work well enough.

 

[alkemyst]

do not mix feline and canine treatments. for one they are different, as far as the medicine they use to control the heartworms and second even if the active ingredients were the same they may be formulated in a contradictory way for one animal vs the other.

also almost anything 'store' bought is junk and can even kill your pet. People question how this is so, but just look at human health food/supplements; 90% don't really work there extend that to a pet and allow a little death and you can understand easily.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I just get mine from amazon. A 3 pack of 44-88lb is $30 shipped there.

Good call. The 89-132lb six-pack for $58.61 shipped looks like the best deal. For this little pup an' kit, that'll last ages.

Anyway, I finally saw a flea on the cat today. Any problem with using the "for dogs" formula on a cat? Unlike K9 Advantix, I don't see any warnings. FWIW, we started using K9 Advantix on our dog years ago after my brother told me how well it worked on a kitten he saw that was being eaten alive by fleas (I had seen the kitten days before... it was horrifying). Now, I wonder if he actually saw them give it K9 Advantix (stupidly) or Advantage (they DO sound similar). His description was in-line with K9 Advantix ("The fleas just erupted and started falling off and dying all over it's body within seconds. It was unbelievably effective.").

Because the cat doesn't seem to be in any discomfort, perhaps I'll just get him a flea collar to drive the fleas to the dog where they will die.

Look at the active ingredients, they are almost identical except for the concentration of the second ingredient

Frontline Plus for dogs contains 9.8% fipronil and 11.8% (S)-methoprene (and 78.4% inert ingredients).
Frontline Plus for cats contains 9.8% fipronil and 8.8% (S)-methoprene (and 81.4% inert ingredients).

So active ingredient wise the dog formula has less methoprene than the cat formula. It's your call, we've been using it with our cat with no problem, and many others have too.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Look at the active ingredients, they are almost identical except for the concentration of the second ingredient

Frontline Plus for dogs contains 9.8% fipronil and 11.8% (S)-methoprene (and 78.4% inert ingredients).
Frontline Plus for cats contains 9.8% fipronil and 8.8% (S)-methoprene (and 81.4% inert ingredients).

So active ingredient wise the dog formula has less methoprene than the cat formula. It's your call, we've been using it with our cat with no problem, and many others have too.

people used to let their kids eat lead paint chips too. Many swore there was nothing wrong with it.

Try not to do clinical studies on your pet. That a 30% increase in dosing.

You do get a lot of leeway, but if your cat is a borderline weight category it could prove poisonous on the spot. Also there is a thing called long-term toxicity you should look into. I hear arsenic is a blast.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Look at the active ingredients, they are almost identical except for the concentration of the second ingredient

Frontline Plus for dogs contains 9.8% fipronil and 11.8% (S)-methoprene (and 78.4% inert ingredients).
Frontline Plus for cats contains 9.8% fipronil and 8.8% (S)-methoprene (and 81.4% inert ingredients).

So active ingredient wise the dog formula has less methoprene than the cat formula. It's your call, we've been using it with our cat with no problem, and many others have too.

people used to let their kids eat lead paint chips too. Many swore there was nothing wrong with it.

Try not to do clinical studies on your pet. That a 30% increase in dosing.

You do get a lot of leeway, but if your cat is a borderline weight category it could prove poisonous on the spot. Also there is a thing called long-term toxicity you should look into. I hear arsenic is a blast.

it is a 25.42% decrease in dosing.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
do not mix feline and canine treatments. for one they are different, as far as the medicine they use to control the heartworms and second even if the active ingredients were the same they may be formulated in a contradictory way for one animal vs the other.

also almost anything 'store' bought is junk and can even kill your pet. People question how this is so, but just look at human health food/supplements; 90% don't really work there extend that to a pet and allow a little death and you can understand easily.

Yes, for the Advantage, the cat and dog formulas are significantly different, but Frontline seems similar enough and I don't plan on "dosing" my cat (just a drop to deal with the immediate infestation then a flea collar/repellant drive the rest to the dog).

What we propose doing is essentially the same as pill-cutting (doctors routinely prescribe double the dosage with instructions to cut the pill in half as a cost-saving measure, at least in the USA). Pet med, on the other hand, are a gold-mine ripe for the milking if we don't take things into our own hands.

Advantage is not for heartworms.

What alternative is there to store-bought medications? These are the same prescription meds. They just happen to be available in stores too, but for a high price.

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: CZroe

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I just get mine from amazon. A 3 pack of 44-88lb is $30 shipped there.

...

Look at the active ingredients, they are almost identical except for the concentration of the second ingredient

Frontline Plus for dogs contains 9.8% fipronil and 11.8% (S)-methoprene (and 78.4% inert ingredients).
Frontline Plus for cats contains 9.8% fipronil and 8.8% (S)-methoprene (and 81.4% inert ingredients).

So active ingredient wise the dog formula has less methoprene than the cat formula. It's your call, we've been using it with our cat with no problem, and many others have too.

Uhh, it looks backwards (11.8% > 8.8%), but I'll take it. Anyway, I'm more concerned with the inactive ingredients not being so "inert." They may be designed to regulate absorption and release for the skin of that specific animal, so I'm still not going to give the cat a full month's dosage... a dab'll do ya and, if not, then I take more drastic measures.

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Look at the active ingredients, they are almost identical except for the concentration of the second ingredient

Frontline Plus for dogs contains 9.8% fipronil and 11.8% (S)-methoprene (and 78.4% inert ingredients).
Frontline Plus for cats contains 9.8% fipronil and 8.8% (S)-methoprene (and 81.4% inert ingredients).

So active ingredient wise the dog formula has less methoprene than the cat formula. It's your call, we've been using it with our cat with no problem, and many others have too.

people used to let their kids eat lead paint chips too. Many swore there was nothing wrong with it.

Try not to do clinical studies on your pet. That a 30% increase in dosing.

You do get a lot of leeway, but if your cat is a borderline weight category it could prove poisonous on the spot. Also there is a thing called long-term toxicity you should look into. I hear arsenic is a blast.

That's why I never intended to do anything more than a drop followed by repellent as a measure to send any future fleas back to their toxic source (the treated dog). Remember, the cat is an indoor cat (not the source) and once the few fleas it has are taken care of it will no longer require treatment, provided I keep up with the dog's.

 

[trmiv]

Frontline for dogs and Frontline for cats is identical, the only difference is the concentration of active ingredients. The cat Frontline is actually stronger than the dog Frontline. There is no harm in using the weaker dog Frontline on your cat. I and many others have been doing it for years and I've never had an issue.

 

[JDub02]

i use frontline plus on my dog. amazon seems to have the best price. i've seen the kits where you can use the kits for the big dogs and dose it with a syringe for a smaller dog. i haven't messed with that. i just go for the appropriate dose for my 30 lb. dog.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Turin39789
Look at the active ingredients, they are almost identical except for the concentration of the second ingredient

Frontline Plus for dogs contains 9.8% fipronil and 11.8% (S)-methoprene (and 78.4% inert ingredients).
Frontline Plus for cats contains 9.8% fipronil and 8.8% (S)-methoprene (and 81.4% inert ingredients).

So active ingredient wise the dog formula has less methoprene than the cat formula. It's your call, we've been using it with our cat with no problem, and many others have too.

people used to let their kids eat lead paint chips too. Many swore there was nothing wrong with it.

Try not to do clinical studies on your pet. That a 30% increase in dosing.

You do get a lot of leeway, but if your cat is a borderline weight category it could prove poisonous on the spot. Also there is a thing called long-term toxicity you should look into. I hear arsenic is a blast.

it is a 25.42% decrease in dosing.

I was looking at it from the other ratio...I also just eyeballed it.

You should have gotten the point...unfortunately this is why pets die / get sick all the time.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: CZroe
Yes, for the Advantage, the cat and dog formulas are significantly different, but Frontline seems similar enough and I don't plan on "dosing" my cat (just a drop to deal with the immediate infestation then a flea collar/repellant drive the rest to the dog).

What we propose doing is essentially the same as pill-cutting (doctors routinely prescribe double the dosage with instructions to cut the pill in half as a cost-saving measure, at least in the USA). Pet med, on the other hand, are a gold-mine ripe for the milking if we don't take things into our own hands.

Advantage is not for heartworms.


What alternative is there to store-bought medications? These are the same prescription meds. They just happen to be available in stores too, but for a high price.

Advantage multi is.

Also cutting pills to be taken through your digestive tract is a WHOLE lot different then a medication to be absorbed/permeated through the skin.

I don't know what getting milked has to do with it...it's the whole supply demand thing. Obviously people are willing to pay the price. I shop around, but I am not going to start mixing feline and canine meds unless I have something scientific to go on. I only majored in zoology so maybe you are smarter than me.

Hartz and the like are nothing like the real meds. store bought dips have been known to kill pets as well.

Originally posted by: CZroe
That's why I never intended to do anything more than a drop followed by repellent as a measure to send any future fleas back to their toxic source (the treated dog). Remember, the cat is an indoor cat (not the source) and once the few fleas it has are taken care of it will no longer require treatment, provided I keep up with the dog's.

a drop is going to do nothing. You shouldn't be using a monthly treatment to spot treat a cat. Flea comb is what you'd do there...if your house is infested you treat the house.

If your lawn is infested your pets will still have fleas. Your house will get fleas. They will eventually die, but the underlying problem will continue and you will be never rid of them.

 

[alkemyst]

also btw for others getting the idea to share meds, advantix for dogs is toxic to cats. I believe Frontline is different too....

 

[EagleKeeper]

We use the K9 flea/tick for our two cockers and Frontline for the heartworm.

Even though PetMeds is more expensive, they will price match.

So I place the PetMeds order online; look up the lowest internet price via froogle, spend 5 mintues on the phone and now have the lowest internet price plus free shipping.

Today I had to place the Heartworm order for a 12 months supply (lasts 6 months with 2)
PetMeds was $66
Online low price was $45

I have been using this method for past 8 years

 

[Capt Caveman]

Are fleas a big deal down south? Up here, no fleas just ticks to worry about.