Does K9 Advantix Kill Flea Eggs?

The generic term for K9 Advantix is imidacloprid plus permethrin. It is an insecticide used to kill fleas and repel them. It is also effective for ticks, mosquitoes and biting flies. The prescribed protocol is to apply it externally to your dog, typically between his shoulder blades, once a month. It works quickly to stop fleas from biting, usually within 3 to 5 minutes, and it kills them fairly quickly, too, with 98 to 100 percent of them being eradicated within 12 hours time.

K9 Advantix II is the newer version of K9 Advantix. It is still a veterinary-grade product, but the composition is slightly different. Advantix II still contains the insecticide permethrin, but it has the added ingredient pyriproxyfen, which is a growth inhibitor that prevents the fleas from maturing. Both versions are effective, but while the original K9 Advantix will kill fleas, it won't do anything about the eggs that they may have produced before the insecticide application. Advantix II prevents fleas from maturing, therefore preventing them from laying eggs. No more eggs means no more fleas.

When using chemical products on your pet that are strong enough to kill pests, there are certain to be at least a few side effects. Vet Info lists some of the common side effects of topical veterinary-grade flea treatments to include hair loss on the application site, skin irritation, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory problems, allergic reaction and seizures. If your pet experiences any side effects to a parasite treatment, medical attention should be sought immediately.

In the majority of cases, vacuuming frequently and treating your dog with a veterinary-grade insecticide that includes the growth inhibitor are all that is necessary to control the flea problem in your home, veterinarian Shanna Savikko writes in her article for the American Animal Hospital Association. Vacuuming should be done every two or three days for about a month initially, focusing on areas that are shadowy or dark, as fleas avoid the light. Dr. Svikko also recommends putting the vacuum bag in a garbage bag and sealing it tightly before putting it into an outside receptacle to prevent the fleas from escaping back into your home.