It's time to treat kitty for fleas (poor thing, I found a couple during her last brushing), and I've got a couple of tubes of Advantage -trouble is I don't know how old they are (probably over a year, since I don't remember buying them any time recently). There is no expiration date. Does it go bad?
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Does Advantage Go Bad?
- Thread starter cjs233
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I don't think there should be any harm in using it. They don't have an expiration date on their packaging at all, only a lot number. If you are concerned, you might call Bayer and ask about that particular lot. Otherwise, I would think the worst case is that the medicine is slightly less effective, but it may be that there is no difference.
I've used year old flea meds before without a problem.. we often bought it at the beginning of the warmer season and had a couple left over we saved until the next year. So it should be fine.
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I think I remember reading somewhere that the insecticide used has a shelf life of 5 years, if stored properly.
Hmm... I find it rather interesting that imidacloprid acts on insects acetylcholine receptors...
Hmm... I find it rather interesting that imidacloprid acts on insects acetylcholine receptors...
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Thank you for your advice. I decided to apply the Advantage I had on hand, and while the fleas aren't -gone- yet they are definitely fewer. I'll see how she looks in a day or so. -Again thanks.
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I actually called the company with the same question. I had an old Advantage (3 years). They said as long as the ampule is intact, that it should be fine.
I have some Advantage in a drawer somewhere and it had an expiration date on it. It said 08/2009 underneath the lot number. It must have been purchased in 2006 btw, because I used Revolution last summer.
I keep vials of Advantage II on a small shelf inside my refrigerator door. Since the medication is identical for dogs and cats, I buy the largest size and share with friends. I’ve used the same vials years after purchase with no adverse effects. (Except to the fleas!)
Just use the appropriate number of drops based upon your pet’s weight, then put the cap back on, and store the remainder upright in the refrigerator. 5 drops for an average sized cat seems to work fine.
Just use the appropriate number of drops based upon your pet’s weight, then put the cap back on, and store the remainder upright in the refrigerator. 5 drops for an average sized cat seems to work fine.
P.S. Just to be extra safe, I fluff the fur with toilet paper after a few minutes to blot up residue. (The medication works on the skin only, so I want to minimize any that might transfer from her coat.)
I used to do that too with Frontline. I would buy extra large dog and dose it down for the cats. I could treat mine and my moms and still have left over.
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I'm worse. I buy Advecta II for horse size dogs. (same ingredients and same percentages as Advantage II for cats)
I empty one vile in a bottle cap and suck up .1cc per lb of cat in a syringe (then squirt .1cc back into the bottle cap figuring a bit less is better than a more).
4.0ml(cc) vile:
10lb cat gets .9cc
8lb cat gets .7cc
7lb cat gets .6cc
40lb cat gets the rest
That's four cats a month for $6.00 ($1.50/per cat)
The big cat should probably get more, but, it seems to work fine (no fleas) and I just can't make myself squirt more on his neck. That much doesn't leave a "spot", it leaves a mess.
Yes, I think this is what we're all saying. Buy the largest dog size, and use it a little at a time on our kitties. (I use 5-10 drops, depending on weight.)
To avoid a mess, part the fur at the back of the neck when applying. Then after a few minutes when the fur gets shiny and looks wet, fluff it with tissue paper to blot up the residue.
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That makes sense and sounds like it would work great for three of my cats.
But, when you're dealing with 2cc or more on a cat with really short hair? It just runs down the side of his neck faster than you can stop it.
The only way I've found that works (for a full, correct dose) is 2cc one day, then follow up with about the same a couple days later.
BUT, I just can't make myself do that any more. In my mind, that's a LOT of flea poison for any cat. Even though, that would be the correct dosage according to their guidelines.
What's left, around 2cc, seems to work fine. So, that's all I put on him.
And, it makes one vile work for all of them each month.
WHOA! 2 whole cc's?!!! We're talking about house cats here, right? Not mountain lions?!!
One CC is about 20 drops. The typical house cat weighs 5-10 pounds. That's 10 drops at most.
No wonder your medication is running down your pet. You're using way too much.
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Oh, is that what this is all about? Impressing us with your monster cat?
Well, monster cat person, I'm not impressed. First off, that's not a short haired cat. Secondly, you have a responsibility to know what you're doing when you own an animal like that. You clearly don't.
For any large animal, you wouldn't just squirt a bunch of medication in one spot and watch it drip off. That would be dumb. Instead, you would carefully apply it to a large area.
Wow, for a person who's been on this forum so long, one would assume you knew what you were doing. Now I know better. Good day.
Well, monster cat person, I'm not impressed. First off, that's not a short haired cat. Secondly, you have a responsibility to know what you're doing when you own an animal like that. You clearly don't.
For any large animal, you wouldn't just squirt a bunch of medication in one spot and watch it drip off. That would be dumb. Instead, you would carefully apply it to a large area.
Wow, for a person who's been on this forum so long, one would assume you knew what you were doing. Now I know better. Good day.
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See above: How I do flea treatment, cost effectively.
"40lb cat gets the rest".
....Which is a little over 2cc. And an explanation as to why it's not closer to what should be 4cc.
That was enough for me, but, it seems you missed that, questioned, and therefore I elaborated.
I do appreciate a good dose of snottiness every now and then though.
Thanks!
"40lb cat gets the rest".
....Which is a little over 2cc. And an explanation as to why it's not closer to what should be 4cc.
That was enough for me, but, it seems you missed that, questioned, and therefore I elaborated.
I do appreciate a good dose of snottiness every now and then though.
Thanks!
I was shocked at 2cc also but I didn't know you had a 40 lbs cat, that is a different story. Gorgeous cat btw.
