Advantage Multi for Dogs: Keep Parasites at Bay With This Monthly Prevention Medication
Key takeaways:
Advantage Multi is a monthly parasite preventative medication for dogs.
This topical medication prevents heartworms, fleas, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and scabies.
You shouldn’t see any side effects if you use it as directed, but localized skin inflammation and tiredness are possible.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
Parasites pose a consistent health risk to dogs. Whether it’s mosquito-borne heartworms or intestinal worms from contaminated soil, dogs are exposed to parasites on a regular basis. The effects of these parasites may range from mild to life-threatening, making effective parasite prevention essential.
Advantage Multi is a topical medication that can help prevent parasites in dogs.
Advantage Multi for dogs at a glance
Common names | Advantage Multi (imidacloprid / moxidectin) |
What it treats | Prevents heartworms, fleas, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and scabies |
How it comes (forms) | Topical medication |
Common side effects | Skin inflammation where the medication was applied, and lethargy |
What is Advantage Multi for dogs, and how does it work?
Advantage Multi is an FDA-approved topical parasite preventative for dogs. It contains two medications: moxidectin and imidacloprid. Applying Advantage Multi to your dog’s skin once monthly, as directed, prevents a variety of canine parasites.
Search and compare options
Moxidectin is absorbed through the skin into your dog’s bloodstream. In addition to preventing a number of different parasites, Moxidectin also kills fleas, which ingest your dog’s blood when feeding.
Imidacloprid, in contrast, remains on the skin. It provides additional protection against fleas, attacking them even before they begin to feed.
What is Advantage Multi used for in dogs?
Advantage Multi prevents and/or treats the following parasites.
Heartworms
These parasites are spread by mosquitoes. Heartworms enter dogs as microscopic larvae, which travel through the bloodstream. Eventually, these larvae mature into spaghetti-like adult worms. They block the flow of blood through the heart and lungs. Infection can be fatal without treatment.
Roundworms
These intestinal worms can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss in dogs. Roundworms are also zoonotic, which means they can infect humans.
Hookworms
Hookworms suck blood from a dog’s intestinal lining, causing anemia (low red blood cell count). These worms can also cause vomiting and diarrhea. Like roundworms, hookworms can infect humans.
Read more like this
Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.
Whipworms
These intestinal worms can cause significant inflammation within the intestines, leading to bloody diarrhea. Whipworms can also cause dehydration and electrolyte changes, making a dog feel very ill.
Fleas
Fleas are not only disgusting and annoying — they can also cause a variety of diseases. Dogs with a heavy flea infestation may become anemic due to blood loss.
In dogs with flea allergies, just a single flea bite can trigger a widespread allergic reaction affecting the skin. Fleas can also transmit infections and parasites (such as tapeworms).
Scabies
Scabies (sarcoptic mange) is a skin parasite that is relatively uncommon. However, dogs can get it through close contact with an infected animal. Scabies causes severe itching, hair loss, and skin inflammation.
How is Advantage Multi dosed and given for dogs?
Advantage Multi is dosed based on your dog’s body weight. So your veterinarian will determine and prescribe the correct dose for your dog’s size.
To apply Advantage Multi, follow these steps:
Remove the cap from the tube.
Flip the cap and screw it onto the tube. This breaks the seal on the tube.
Part your dog’s hair between the shoulder blades, and apply the contents of the tube directly to the skin. (It will not work if it soaks into the hair.)
If your dog weighs 20 lbs or less, apply the entire tube to one location. If your dog weighs over 20 lbs, apply the medication to three or four separate locations between the shoulder blades and upper back.
Apply this medication to sites your dog cannot reach. And make sure your dog does not lick the medication before it dries.
Make sure your dog doesn’t swim and bathe for several days after you apply the medication. Swimming or bathing within 4 days of application may affect how well Advantage Multi works, especially against fleas.
Frequent bathing may decrease Advantage Multi’s ability to prevent fleas. If your dog takes frequent baths or goes swimming regularly, your veterinarian may recommend a different parasite preventative.
What are the common side effects of Advantage Multi in dogs?
Most side effects associated with Advantage Multi are mild. The most commonly reported side effects include:
Itching at the application site
Lethargy (tiredness)
If you notice these effects, contact your veterinarian. Depending on the severity and timing of your dog’s side effects, they may advise you to wash off the Advantage Multi. They may also switch your dog to a different preventative.
What are the most serious risks of Advantage Multi for dogs?
Dogs with heartworm disease are at a higher risk of serious side effects from Advantage Multi. Moxidectin kills heartworm larvae in the bloodstream, and this massive die-off can be stressful for your dog.
Advantage Multi may cause the following side effects in dogs with heartworm disease:
Cough
Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Shortness of breath
These effects can be serious or even cause death in some cases. For this reason, you cannot purchase Advantage Multi without a veterinarian’s prescription. Your veterinarian will likely perform a heartworm test on your dog before prescribing this medication.
Does Advantage Multi interact with any other dog medications?
Advantage Multi should not be combined with other heartworm or flea preventatives. Combining multiple similar medications may increase the risk of side effects.
Also, if your dog has the MDR1 gene mutation, this can affect how Advantage Multi interacts with other medications. The MDR1 gene mutation is most common in collie-type dog breeds.
What should you do if your dog misses a dose of Advantage Multi?
If your dog misses a dose of Advantage Multi, give the missed dose as soon as possible. If you give the medication a few days late, it shouldn’t cause any problems.
If there’s a significant gap in between doses of Advantage Multi, contact your veterinarian. Dogs may become infected with heartworm disease if there’s a lapse in treatment. In these cases, your veterinarian may recommend additional heartworm testing for your dog.
The bottom line
Advantage Multi protects dogs against heartworms, fleas, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and scabies. You must apply it every month, and you must apply it correctly (ensuring that it reaches the skin).
Advantage Multi can be removed by bathing or swimming, so giving the medication at the right time is important. Talk to your veterinarian about whether Advantage Multi is a good parasite control option for your dog.
Why trust our experts?
References
Bayer HealthCare LLC. (2015). Advantage Multi for dogs- imidacloprid moxidectin solution [package insert].
Brooks, W. (2022). Roundworms in dogs and puppies. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2022). Whipworm infection in dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2023). An overview of sarcoptic mange (scabies) in dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2023). Heartworm treatment for dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Brooks, W. (2023). Moxidectin. VetzInsight.
Rishniw, M. (2024). Canine heartworms and preventing disease. Veterinary Partner.
The VIN Dermatology Consultants. (2020). Fleas: Know your enemy. Veterinary Partner.
Your Pet & You. (n.d.). Advantage Multi for dogs (imidacloprid + moxidectin). Elanco.
