How does Advantage work for cats? - briefly
Advantage is a topical treatment designed to kill fleas on contact. It works by disrupting the nervous system of adult fleas, causing their death within hours of application.
How does Advantage work for cats? - in detail
Advantage is a topical ectoparasiticide specifically designed to treat and prevent flea infestations in cats. Its primary active ingredient is imidacloprid, a neurotoxin that targets the nervous system of fleas. When applied to a cat's skin, Advantage works through several key mechanisms to ensure effective control of fleas:
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Absorption into the Skin: Upon application, Advantage quickly absorbs into the cat's skin. This is facilitated by the product’s formulation, which includes solvents that enhance penetration. Once in the skin, imidacloprid spreads throughout the cat’s body via the bloodstream and lymphatic system.
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Systemic Distribution: Within 24 hours of application, imidacloprid becomes evenly distributed across the cat's skin, providing a continuous protective barrier against fleas. This systemic distribution ensures that any flea attempting to feed on the cat will come into contact with the active ingredient.
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Neurotoxic Effect: Imidacloprid is a potent neurotoxin that specifically targets nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the flea's nervous system. When a flea bites the treated cat, it ingests a minuscule amount of imidacloprid. This triggers a cascade of neurological events leading to paralysis and death of the flea within hours.
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Inhibition of Flea Reproduction: In addition to killing adult fleas, Advantage also inhibits the development of flea eggs and larvae. This dual action helps to break the flea life cycle, preventing new infestations from establishing in the cat's environment.
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Long-Lasting Efficacy: The formulation of Advantage ensures that imidacloprid remains active on the cat’s skin for an extended period. Depending on the product variant, this can range from one to four months. This long-lasting efficacy provides continuous protection against fleas without the need for frequent reapplication.
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Safety for Cats: Advantage is specifically developed with cats in mind, ensuring that the formulation and dosage are safe for feline use. The active ingredient imidacloprid has a high margin of safety, meaning it is highly selective towards fleas and has minimal impact on the cat's health when used as directed.
In summary, Advantage works by rapidly absorbing into the cat’s skin, distributing systemically to create a protective barrier, and killing fleas through neurotoxic effects. Its ability to also inhibit flea reproduction and provide long-lasting efficacy makes it an effective solution for controlling and preventing flea infestations in cats.