Veterinary drug "Advocate" for cats: dosage, instructions

The drug "Advocate", intended for cats and dogs, is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent, produced and sold in the form of drops.

The main components that make up the drug and ensure its effectiveness are:

1. Moxidectin is a semi-synthetic milbecymine that has been used in veterinary medicine for quite some time.
2. Imidacloprid is a type of element that is extracted from nicotine substances. At its core, it is a chloronicotyl insecticide, which poses a mortal threat to most types of ectoparasites, but is absolutely safe for humans and domestic animals.

general description

Advocate is an easy-to-use drug.
The fact is that it is produced in the form of drops intended for external use. Drops of spot-on are applied to the withers. To get rid of parasitic insects or prevent their appearance, you do not need to try to feed the animal tablets or pour in a suspension, just drip the solution onto the skin. The procedure is painless and takes only a couple of minutes. The medicinal liquid is packaged in disposable polymer pipettes, from which it can be easily squeezed out. The manufacturer produces pipettes for cats in two versions:

• 0.4 ml are intended for pets weighing up to 4 kg;
• 0.8 ml are intended for animals weighing from 4 to 8 kg.

When purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the volume of pipettes and the information indicated on the packaging. If the medication is used for other purposes, it can cause toxic poisoning, so be careful.

The antiparasitic should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30C, but freezing should not be allowed. For storage, you should choose a dark place away from direct sunlight. Do not forget that the drug contains toxic components. For this reason, it should be kept away from feed and food.

Composition, release form, dosage, price

Drops for cats and dogs contain the same active ingredients and auxiliary components. The difference lies in the concentration of Moxidectin. For dogs, the active substance was included in an amount of 2.5%, for cats - 1%. The drug is produced in boxes containing 1 or 3 polymer ampoules.

Advocate drops are produced for dogs weighing <4; 4-10; 10-25;> 25 kg, cats <and> 4 kg. The dosage of the drug and the cost of different options for November 2022 are shown in the table.

Composition and properties

The wide spectrum of action of Advocate drops is due to the combination of two active components - moxidectin and imidacloprid. They differ in chemical properties, but both substances negatively affect arthropod receptors. As a result, there is a disruption in the transmission of nerve impulses, which inevitably leads to paralysis and death of the parasites.

When using the medicine in large doses, the active substances may partially accumulate in the body of animals. If the dose is not exceeded, Advocate does not cause mutations and does not suppress the immune system.

Pharmacological properties, indications

Advocate is a highly effective insecticidal drug with a complex (broad) antiparasitic spectrum of action. Destroys ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice) at all stages of their development. The drug not only destroys parasitic insects, but also provides active protection against re-infection for 30-37 days.

Imidacloprid activates receptors of dangerous ectoparasites (arthropods), which are sensitive to nicotine. It disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses, which inevitably leads to their rapid death. This component is effective not only against adult fleas and ticks, but also destroys larvae and eggs of dangerous ectoparasites.

Moxidectin activates ecto-endoparasite channels sensitive to chlorine ions and glutamate, binds postsynaptic receptors, which leads to muscle paralysis, disruption of the innervation of parasitic insects and nematodes. The substance does not have a negative effect on the central nervous system of pets.

“Advocate” drops on the withers are prescribed to cats for the prevention and treatment of:

• flea dermatitis;
• intestinal nematodes;
• otodectosis (ear scabies);
• sarcoptic mange;
• demodicosis;
• dirofilariasis;
• infectious diseases caused by sarcoptoid and acariform mites;

After applying the drug, the active components are quickly and evenly distributed over the surface of the skin, retained in the dermis and on the coat. Moxidexin is absorbed into the blood and spreads through the bloodstream to the internal organs (gastrointestinal tract), slowing development, killing nematodes and other types of parasitic worms.

“Advocate” allows you to get rid of and prevent infection of furry pets from fleas, lice-eaters, iscod mites, sarcoptic mites, and lice (lice-eaters).

General information and recommendations about the drug Advocate

The drug Advocate for cats contains the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin. It has a wide range of antiparasitic effects and can be used against harmful insects - fleas and ticks, as well as in the treatment of diseases caused by parasites in animals. The components of the drug cause the death of arthropods due to the insecticidal mechanism of action. According to the degree of chemical poisoning, the veterinary drug Advocate is classified as hazard class III. In the dosages recommended by the instructions, Advocate is well tolerated by cats and has no side effects.

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Cost and storage

The price for a lawyer for cats varies within one thousand two hundred rubles, if the cat is quite large, starting from four kilograms in weight.

• The product should be stored unpacked. The place is chosen dry, without direct sunlight.
• There should be no food or animal feed nearby.
• Storage temperatures range from zero degrees to thirty degrees Celsius.

If the storage rules are followed, the product does not lose its properties for three years from the date of manufacture. Later use of the drug is not recommended.

When to use

According to the instructions for use, Advocate drops are used for cats with the following parasites:

• fleas;
• scabies mites;
• lice eaters.

The drug can be effectively used to protect the animal from the parasitic insects listed above, that is, to prevent infection. An antiparasitic agent is used to treat and prevent helminthic infestations caused by nematodes. The active components do not affect tapeworms, so the drug can be used for treatment only after testing and determining the type of helminths. If the medication is used for prophylactic purposes, additional medications against cestodes may be required.

Advocate drops are also used to prevent a dangerous disease - dirofilariasis. With this pathology, worms parasitize the heart and pose a mortal danger to the animal. The medicine affects only the larvae of microfilariae, the causative agent of the disease. The drug is not effective against sexually mature individuals, therefore it is used exclusively for prophylactic purposes. Not suitable for the treatment of dirofilariasis.

Note! Advocate can be used in complex therapy in the treatment of allergic dermatitis caused by fleas.

Is poisoning from flea drops dangerous?

It is difficult to say for sure what will happen if a cat licks flea drops. It all depends on the amount of insecticide ingested, the animal’s body weight, its immunity, and age.

If a small amount of poison gets ingested, the pet will get off with a slight illness; if it gets into a serious amount, it will result in severe poisoning.

A healthy young cat may not feel symptoms of intoxication, but a sick, old or, conversely, too young cat will lie down for several hours or even days.

Dosage and procedure for use

To correctly calculate the dose of the drug, you need to know the weight of the animal. The instructions indicate that the dose of Advocate for cats should be as follows:

• for animals weighing up to 4 kg, a 0.4 ml pipette will be required;
• for pets weighing from 4 to 8 kg, you need to use a 0.8 ml pipette at a time.

If the medicine is used for small kittens, it is allowed to apply not the entire pipette, but the minimum dose should not be less than 0.1 ml per 1 kg of weight. If the cat's weight exceeds 8 kg, a combination of pipettes must be used. To calculate the required amount of medicinal solution in this case, for each kilogram of mass you need to take 0.1 ml.

If Advocate drops are used for medicinal purposes, they are applied once. If the main purpose of use is prevention, then the procedure should be repeated monthly. The same regimen for using the drug is also used in cases where there is a high risk of developing dirofilariasis. To ensure reliable protection, you need to use the medication while mosquitoes are flying.

Note! If Advocate is used to treat otodectosis, it is applied to the withers. Do not instill medicine into the ear canals. If the pathology is accompanied by inflammation, antibacterial agents are additionally used.

The drug is easy to apply. You need to follow a simple algorithm:

1. Unscrew the cap on the pipette.
2. Turn the lid over and pierce the protective membrane with the reverse side.
3. Gently part the fur at the withers and apply the medicine. It is important that the drops get on the skin and not on the fur.

If Lawyer is used to kill fleas, the animal’s habitat must be additionally treated with special means. Otherwise, re-infection may occur.

Ways to use Advocate

Dironet for cats: spot-on, instructions for use

The medicine is used according to the regimens described in the manufacturer's instructions, no more than once every 28 days. If it is necessary to destroy fleas, lice, lice, a single application is enough, but in order to prevent re-infection, the drops must be used repeatedly at intervals of almost a month.

Before treating ear scabies caused by mites, the animals' ears are cleaned of fresh and dried scabs and parasite secretions. To do this, use cotton swabs moistened with special lotions. Advocate is not dripped into the ears; it is applied to the animal’s withers.

Dried scabs in an animal's ears

Note! Advanced otodectosis can lead to inflammatory processes in the inner ear and brain, and hearing loss.

Treatment of sarcoptic mange (infestation with subcutaneous mites) will require using Advocate 2 times, decometosis (scabies) - up to 4 times. You can rid your animal of worms after a one-time use of drops; to prevent infection, pets are treated once every 28 days.

Indications for use

To connect to the therapy of a particular medication, you should first familiarize yourself with the indications for use. "Lawyer" is no exception. Thus, this medicinal mixture is prescribed for treatment and preventive measures for otodectosis, entomosis, intestinal nematodes, immature and sexually mature phases of worm development, and also dirofilariasis.

Did you know? During the distant Middle Ages, active extermination measures were used against cats, since the church considered these animals guilty of maintaining contact with the Devil. The extermination of felines has led to a disastrous increase in the population of rats, which have become carriers of rat fleas. Namely, they were active carriers of the bubonic plague, the epidemic of which killed more than half of the population of Europe.

Directions for use and precautions

In order for the use of drops to be effective and safe, the following rules should be followed:

1. Do not apply the drug to wet or damaged skin.
2. After treatment, the pet cannot be bathed for 4 days, even with the use of special shampoos, since the active ingredients will be washed off and will not affect the parasites.
3. It is strictly forbidden to combine the application of the medicine with other antiparasitic agents.
4. The drops should be applied in places that the pet cannot reach.
5. If several animals are being treated at the same time, they should be isolated from each other until the solution dries. Otherwise, they may lick the medicine off each other, and the drug should not be allowed to get inside.

After applying Advocate drops, the animal should not be petted for 24 hours. During this period, it is worth isolating your pet from small children. If the medicine gets on the skin or mucous membranes, you should immediately rinse them with clean water. If allergies occur, consult a doctor.

Advantages and disadvantages

Based on numerous reviews about the lawyer for cats, the following advantages can be identified:

• After use, the animals do not become nervous and behave calmly, unlike taking other drugs;
• One application is enough to ensure that no trace of fleas remains within two days;
• After application, the animal is flea-free for a whole month.

Most owners consider the relatively high price of the drug to be a disadvantage.

Contraindications

“Advocate” drops on the withers are strictly forbidden to be used by sick, emaciated, severely weakened animals, cats whose weight is less than one kilogram. The insecticide-acaricide should not be used on small kittens under ten weeks of age.

Pregnant and lactating cats should be treated with caution and only under the supervision of a veterinarian to avoid the development of severe complications.

After therapeutic or preventive treatment, you should not allow your pet to come into contact with other animals. You should not bathe your furry pet for seven days after the company’s action to destroy ecto- and endoparasites.

Pregnant cats are treated against ectoparasites under the supervision of a veterinarian

To prevent a decrease in effectiveness, Advocate is not prescribed together with drugs that contain macrocyclic lactones.

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How to use Advocate

The drug can be prescribed for both therapeutic and preventive purposes. It is used by applying drops to the intact and dry surface of the cat's skin as follows:

• The cap that protects the drug in the pipette is removed;
• In a vertical position, a puncture of the membrane is made in the spout. To do this, the cap must be put on the other side;
• The cap is removed again;
• The animal must be calm so that the fur can be slightly spread in the right place. The place is chosen in such a way that the cat cannot reach it with its tongue and lick it. This is most often the area located between the two shoulder blades, closer to the base of the neck.

Limitations and side effects

Advocate drops should not be used for cats in the following cases:

• if age less than 9 weeks;
• during the recovery period after serious illnesses and operations;
• for infectious pathologies;
• if there is intolerance to the components (allergic reactions occur).

It is better not to use the drug for pregnant and lactating females. If there is an urgent need for this, the procedure should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. If the animal has acute or chronic diseases of the heart, liver or kidneys, consultation with a veterinarian is necessary.

Animals usually tolerate the medication without problems. Sometimes vomiting, skin irritation, lack of appetite or depression occur. If the medicine is accidentally ingested, vomiting or stomach upset may occur. The drug may cause disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system. They are manifested by impaired coordination of movements, apathy and mood swings.

Side effects

How well the drug was applied to the pet’s body will depend on how well it feels. The animal should not be allowed to lick the drops, especially in the first hours after the treatment procedure. In this case, side effects are possible - salivation, vomiting, nervous manifestations. If they do not go away within 2-3 hours, you should show your pet to a veterinary clinic specialist.

Compatibility of Advocate with other cat treatments

Combined treatment of cats is carried out under the guidance of veterinarians. The instructions for Advocate indicate that the product is not used in conjunction with macrocyclic lactones. These include antibiotics such as oleandomycin, erythromycin and other substances. All recommendations on this issue should be obtained from specialists. If necessary, they will prescribe courses of treatment in combination with etiotropic, pathogenetic and symptomatic drugs.

Advocate's analogs

Analogs of original medicines are drugs with different names and main active ingredients. The selection of analogues is carried out by a doctor.

Analogues of Advocate

Infection of pets with various parasites threatens the health of not only the animal, but also all family members. Infection with pathogens can have a particularly serious impact on the well-being of younger and older generations. Therefore, timely contact with veterinary hospitals and the use of antiparasitic drugs should not be neglected.

*Prices are as of October 2022.

Owner reviews

Larisa, owner of a 5-year-old cat:

“We used Advocate to treat otodectosis. And although the price of the drug is high, the money is well spent. We managed to get rid of scabies ear mites and prevent infection of a young cat who was in our foster home. Among the advantages I would like to note is the ease of use. There is no need to torture the animal or put drops into injured ears.”

Tatyana, owner of 4 cats:

“There used to be three cats in my house, or rather 2 cats and a cat. I periodically carry out prevention of the appearance of external and internal parasites, so there have been no problems. I recently adopted another cat from the shelter. At home I noticed that she was constantly itching. I bought Advocate drops at the pharmacy. Already on the second day she stopped itching intensely. The medicine has a strong pungent odor and after application for the first 2 hours Lucy was very lethargic, but after a while she came to her senses on her own.”

Reviews about the use of drops

Inga

Very easy to use. I dripped it in the area of ​​the shoulder blades, and that’s it; to consolidate the effect, you need to drip it only after a month. What can I say, it’s not for nothing that these drops are praised. Helps against ticks, fleas, and as a helminthic.

dlyusya

Advocate drops turned out to be very effective: the cat is now alert, cheerful and does not itch at all. But for the first three days after treatment, the unfortunate animal showed signs of poisoning - drooling and weakness (I even began to blame myself for killing my yard friend), but, fortunately, the symptoms went away. Perhaps this is an individual reaction (however, other drops did not have such a negative effect, cats always tolerated them perfectly), but I am afraid to take such drops again. Despite the negative experience, I will rate this very effective and easy-to-use drug 4 stars.

Olya

If you see some kind of parasite on your pet’s body, do not think that you will kill it now and that will be the end of all problems: insects multiply very quickly, and before you know it, a whole settlement will appear on the cat. Therefore, immediately buy a remedy for blood suckers. This may not be Advocate, but it should be effective, so when purchasing the drug, consult at least with a veterinary pharmacy employee.

How does poisoning manifest in a cat?

It is very important to notice in time that the cat has licked the flea drops.

The following symptoms should alert the owner:

• the cat refuses its usual and favorite food;
• diarrhea begins;
• the cat constantly drinks water;
• the animal loses orientation in space, cannot group itself for a jump, it staggers, skids;
• salivation increases;
• The animal's pupils dilate.

Symptoms can be expressed in different ways, it all depends on how much insecticide enters the body. Of course, you don’t have to be afraid of a fatal outcome - in the worst case, the fluffy will lick only a few drops.

It is worth distinguishing between the symptoms of intoxication and allergies. Individual intolerance may occur when using a new drug. It is expressed in lacrimation, redness of the skin, and the appearance of bald patches at the site of application.

To reduce the likelihood of poisoning and allergies, you should give preference to medications from trusted companies.