Cayman Update

I can't believe how big Cayman is getting! He is such an awesome little guy too and has just one more puppy education class at Petco before his big graduation. I plan on looking for some material with little graduation caps or something like that to make a little bandanna for him to wear for his graduation pictures getting his diploma. Be sure to check back, especially in about two weeks, for pictures!

So far in class he has learned "sit", "down", "stay", "front" (which is to sit front and center so you can put a leash on him or something like that), "leave it", "wait", "off", and how to loose leash walk without pulling or walking ahead of you. He's a good learner and is catching onto most of the commands really, really well. And he has proven he is an old pro at loose leash walking when we went on our first real walk, a whole block!

Recently I moved a chair into our bedroom in front of our bed so now Cayman has a perfect advantage to getting up into our bed. Last night he slept in our bed with us for the first time.

Another recent "goodie" is that Cayman has his very own booster seat in the car so he is level with the window and can see outside plus it has a hook where you can attach his harness so it adds a level of protection in the event we were ever to get into an accident. Alicia, our dog trainer and my friend put it aside for me when it went on clearance from $40 to $10 at Petco.

The research for making Cayman a therapy dog continues. It looks as though we will have to wait sometime and just keep working at the requirements, which are that of the Canine Good Citizen certification, or CGC, since we can not test time till he is a year old anyhow. So we have until April 19th, 2009 to master the CGC requirements.

Just For Fun!

Homemade "Frosty Paws" Recipe- Healthier Alternative!

I remember back in the day when I used to buy Purina's Frosty Paws for my very first dachshund, Ciji, during the summer months. Knowing what I do now about dog nutrition and what is actually in these and dog food in general, I would have made the healthy alternative versions of these cool treats back then too. Here's what they have in them followed by a healthier version you can make at home.

FROSTY PAWS® Original Frozen Treats for Dogs Nutritional Information Ingredients: WATER, DRIED WHEY, SOY FLOUR, ANIMAL FAT (PRESERVED WITH BHA AND BHT), DRIED WHEY PRODUCT, DRIED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, VEGETABLE FAT, SOY LECITHIN, MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, MONO-DIGLYCERIDES, CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE, POLYSORBATE 80, POLYSORBATE 60, CALCIUM CARBONATE, CHOLINE CHLORIDE, FERROUS SULFATE, ZINC SULFATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, SILICON DIOXIDE, VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENT, NIACIN SUPPLEMENT, COPPER SULFATE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT, POTASSIUM IODIDE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN B12 SUPPLEMENT, AND FOLIC ACID. FROSTY PAWS® Frozen Treats for Dogs with Peanut Butter Nutritional Information Ingredients: WATER, DRIED WHEY, SOY FLOUR, ANIMAL FAT (PRESERVED WITH BHA AND BHT), DRIED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, VEGETABLE FAT, SOY LECITHIN, PEANUT BUTTER SYRUP (PEANUTS, CORN OIL, SALT), MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, MONO-DIGLYCERIDES, CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE, POLYSORBATE 80, POLYSORBATE 60, CALCIUM CARBONATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, CHOLINE CHLORIDE, FERROUS SULFATE, ZINC SULFATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, SILICON DIOXIDE, VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENT, NIACIN SUPPLEMENT, COPPER SULFATE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT, POTASSIUM IODIDE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN B12 SUPPLEMENT, FOLIC ACID.

What makes Frosty Paws unhealthy? Well...
1. Animal Fat: since no specific animal was mentioned, these could be any kind of animal including "4D's- dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter"....eww.
2. BHA and BHT: banned from human use in most countries but still permitted in the US, possible human carcinogen, apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments...doesn't sound like something I want to feed my dogs.
3. Corn- anything. Corn is a high allergenic food in dogs. I try not to get anything that contains the word "corn" in the label.

So they are not that bad really, but if you could chose something healthier, wouldn't you?

Here's the recipe....

Ingredients:
 32 oz. vanilla yogurt, organic if possible- plain yogurt even better for dogs with a weight issue
 1 mashed banana or large jar of banana baby food, good source of fiber and potassium
 2 T. peanut butter, organic if possible- low sodium even better
 2 T. honey, organic if possible


Directions:
Blend all together and freeze in either 3 ounce paper cups or ice cube trays. Microwave just a few seconds before serving.

Or you could get really lazy like I have done and just stick a regular 6 or 8 oz cup of yogurt in the freezer and let them go town licking it out of the cup after it has been frozen solid.

So Long Canidae, Hello Wellness

We have recently decided to switch Cayman from Canidae Life Stages dry dog food to Wellness brand since it is becoming more and more difficult to make it down to the only local pet boutique, which is still over 30 minutes away, that sells it whereas Petco sells Wellness, is closer to our house and is on my way to and from work. My timing could not have been better. Apparently Canidae changed its formula and its making lots of dogs really sick. All the complaints I have read about Canidae all occur around the same time as the new formula change and all consist of the same issues- diarrhea and vomiting (see the reports for yourself at http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/canidae.html ).

I don’t know exactly when the change in the formula was made ( I do know I purchased my last bag of Canidae around July 22) as part of the complaint is that Canidae did not announce it was changing its formula which could have added to the issue of digestive upset. I personally have not had any issue and I am down to maybe a week or so of Canidae left out of a 15 pound bag. Most pet food companies will tell you to go into a transition period of mixing your old food with the new food and usually that’s if you are switching brands but its just as important to do the transition when your current brand changes its formula. I can’t blame Canidae completely. It’s done amazing things for my parent’s beagle mix, Roxy’s coat. But I do find it a bit upsetting that such a reputable company would overlook such an important subject. Had these customer’s that have filed complaints been made aware of the change, they could have purchased a bag of the “new and improved” formula and mixed it with what they had left of the older formula. But the severity of the issues described in the complaints are enough to make me firm in my decision to switch and switch for good. As I said before, I still have some of the Canidae left over so I will be purchasing some Wellness brand tonight and doing the transition period properly.

Other than the recent complaints about the new formula, Canidae and Wellness are considered Five Star Premium dog foods (out of a six star rating), both are holistic; all natural; human grade; without by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives. The only negative aspects of Wellness is that it contains canola oil as a source of linoleic acid in which manufactures argue whether or not its is a high quality ingredient and that it has some fillers such as rice bran and rye flour which are not necessarily bad, but considered much, much better than some of the fillers used by lower quality commercial dog foods. According to http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ that is the only “con” to the dog food. They also state that they “do retain some concerns with the overall meat content of the food” since it does not have as many meat sources as some other foods, making it a Five Star grade rather than a Six Star rated premium food which is fine since I already supplement my food with canned dog food and fresh boiled organ meats.

Wellness also carries a line of canned dog foods, treats, and biscuits under the name Old Mother Hubbard as well.

Cayman's New Collar

Cayman finally out grew his first collar. This evening, after our second puppy training class with Alicia at Petco, I purchased this cool collar. Its kinda hard to tell from the pictures- but its aqua (my favorite and Cayman's signature color), blue, grey, tan, brown and navy striped (the brown looks a bit like violet doesn't it?) I think it looks quite stunning on him and still matches his harness and leash which are the same color aqua. The flash (and a wiggly puppy) made it tough to get a decent picture so hopefully I will be able to get a better one later on. Hey, I just noticed how incredibly shiny Cayman's coat is in these pictures- glossy!

Vaccination and Other Paperwork Keeper

Having a dog means having more paperwork than you probably know what to do with. In my case, it meant trying to cram all of it in one of those paper envelopes that has a flap where you record vaccination and other medical history. With all the papers and brochures I had, I was tearing mine at the seams. So I got this great idea of using one of those filing folders for checks. I then was able to label each of the pockets for things like "vaccinations", "training", "meds" and "vet receipts". I even got a different color for each of my pets- Cayman got aqua, Zoey got pink, and our cat got purple. Now when I take any of my pets to the vet or something, all their paperwork is not only together, but also organized. I got these file folders at Walmart for about $5 a piece. Its cool because it even has two business card sized pockets of the back where I put their vet's business card. I suggest everyone with a pet- dog or cat- try this out!

We Got Featured!

Look at who got featured AGAIN! Check out those checking out Cayman!
http://whosyourdachshund.blogspot.com/2008/08/reader-feature-august.html#links

Cayman's 1st Day at Puppy School!

Tonight was Cayman's first puppy training class at Petco and I am SO proud of him! The beginning of the class, taught by my friend Alicia, went over nutrition and being the pack leader, being calm and assertive at all times with our dogs. The other puppies in the class consist of a Australian Shepard puppy with a major nipping and chewing issue, a little yorkie looking pup, and Alicia's demo dog, her beloved corgi, Kiwi. Then we worked on the command "sit". Cayman is an old pro at sit. Then we moved onto "stay" which Alicia said could be very difficult for puppies but Cayman was surprisingly AWESOME at staying! I could drop the leash and back up about 10 feet away from him without him moving from his sitting position!!! I was amazing! Then we worked on a command called "touch" which consist of teaching a dog not to be fearful of things by desensitizing them by having them touch the thing they are afraid of with their nose. This was a bit more difficult for Cayman but I didn't mind so much, I have yet to find anything Cayman is afraid of! Overall I was quite impressed with the class. Sure, I knew all the commands since most of the class was based on Cesar Milan, the dog whispers methods, but it was nice to be able to socialize him with other dogs outside of his "pack" and add the distractions of other dogs and shoppers. But of course, dogs are unpredictable. As soon as we got home and gushed about how smart he was, he peed on the kitchen floor. Twice. Damn! Good thing we have five more weeks of training to go!

Out in the Backyard

It was so nice out that all three of the dogs spent the majority of the day out in the fenced in backyard, especially Cayman. Here I managed to get some great shots with my camera.

Cayman is Enrolled in Puppy Education Class at Last!

We finally got signed up for Cayman to take Puppy Education classes at Petco! I found out that my friend Alicia is the trainer so it will be nice to be able to turn to her advice when I need it even outside of the classroom. We begin our first class on Tuesday, I can't wait!

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Our experienced PETCO accredited Dog Trainers are here to help you communicate with your dog in order to stop bad habits and develop good behaviors. Group training sessions encourage socialization and success.

• Puppy and Basic Group Classes
• AKC Canine Good Citizen and Clicker Trick Classes
• Private Lessons available
• FREE Seminars
• Experienced PETCO accredited Dog Trainers
• Problem-solving ideas for digging, chewing, housetraining and more
• Lessons include walking on a loose leash, staying, coming and more
• Positive dog training techniques
• FREE PETCO Parenting Guide filled with valuable coupons, training tips and care information is included*

*Parenting Guide included for Puppy and Basic Classes and Private Lessons only.

Puppy Training Class
Start your puppy out on the right paw. These group dog training classes include problem-solving ideas for socializing, housetraining, chewing, teething, digging and more. Puppy Classes are designed to train puppies 8 weeks to 6 months of age. FREE Parenting Guide Book included.

Basic Training Dog Class
These group dog training classes are designed to help socialize and train older puppies and adult dogs, and include problem-solving ideas for basic behavior problems. Through various group lessons and discussions, you will learn how to successfully communicate with your pet. FREE Parenting Guide Book included.

Private Dog Training Lessons
Private Lessons are designed for people who cannot attend scheduled group sessions or desire one-on-one instruction. Private Lessons can be tailored to your dog's individual needs. Single sessions, and four or six lesson packages are available at a discounted price. FREE Parenting Guide included.

AKC Canine Good Citizen Class
The American Kennel Club's CGC Class is designed to prepare you to take the Canine Good Citizen test as well as improve on commands you've already learned. Lessons include the importance of greeting a friendly stranger, walking through a crowd, ignoring distractions and more. AKC certified evaluators administer the AKC CGC test on a regular basis in many of our stores.

Clicker Dog Training Trick Classes
Clicker Training is the fastest growing dog training method in the field and PETCO is proud to partner with Karen Pryor, one of the nation's leading Clicker Trainers, to offer this class to pet parents. You and your dog will learn useful and fun tricks you can use every day.

FREE Seminars
Attend one of our FREE PETCO Training Seminars to understand your dog and become better equipped to prevent and solve problem canine behaviors. You will learn how to reward good manners and encourage socialization for a lasting and loving relationship between you and your pet.

Seminar Topics Include:

Potty Training
In this seminar, the Dog Training Instructor will discuss techniques for the prevention and management of potty training mishaps. Topics covered will include proper crate training, the importance of keeping a regular schedule, and what to do when accidents happen (and they will!). Excellent for pet parents with puppies or adult dogs. Successful potty training can last a lifetime.

Puppy Socialization
Bring your puppy to this seminar and learn how to introduce positive social learning experiences into your puppy's life. You will learn how to encourage healthy, friendly behaviors with other pets and strangers and recognize signs of fear or aggression. There will be an interactive play session and discussion on how to raise a well socialized companion dog. Good for puppies age 2 to 6 months.

Behavior and Manners
Most behavior problems can be solved with good training, re-direction, environment management and proper exercise. This discussion will address how to prevent and solve common behavior problems with barking, chewing, digging, jumping up, running away, and more. Learn the causes of these behaviors and positive ways to change them. A well trained dog is a happy dog and has more freedom to be with you.

Loose Leash Walking
Want to take your dog to the park, to the local PETCO store, or walk calmly down your street? Learn positive reinforcement techniques to teach your dog how to walk politely on a leash. Dogs pull on leashes because of excitement/distractions, lack of exercise or simply just because we follow. Sign up now as a first step towards your long walk together.

No matter which class or seminar you choose, our goal is to ensure your success. Get your dog trained right at PETCO.

For more information, contact the PETCO store nearest you.

Who's Your Dachshund?

We have been recognized! Who's Your Dachshund recognized our blog in theirs! What a great way to bring more traffic to my site! After all, I am writing it in the hopes that other dachshund lovers will read it! Speaking of, I will return the favorite, of course! Check them out!
http://whosyourdachshund.blogspot.com/2008/07/link-love.html has included Doxi Doggy Bloggy on their "Sausage Links" (how freaking cute is that, I will have to steal that idea for my own link list!) under the heading "Can't Get Enough Dachshund". Here's more on this site:

Who's Your Dachshund: A labour of love

Ten bloggers. Fifteen mini dachshunds. One blog.

Can you handle it?

Ten very different dog owners from around the world have united to share their stories of being a slave to the dachshund. From clearing up nasty preconceived notions about the small but mighty breed, to letting you learn from our mistakes, prepare yourself for the most honest look at life with a dog-and-a-half.

Dachshund Breed Info

Dachshund

Weight:	16 - 32 pounds (7.26 - 14.51 kg)
Height:	7 - 8 inches (17.78 - 20.32 cm)

Trademark Traits

:

• Long and short
• Vigorous and muscular
• Tenacious and high-spirited
• Bold and clever
• Loveable
• Loyal
• Hard workers
• Great players

Some Ideal Human Companions

:

• Singles
• City dwellers
• Families with older children
• Hunters and outdoorsy types

What They’re Like to Live With

:
Dachshunds may look cute and cuddly, but they are tirelessly energetic, clever and curious—some might even say “intense.” Always up for a walk, run or a game in the park, they can easily get bored when left to their own devices for too long. Sometimes, that can involve chewing things.

Though very loyal to their owners, Dachshunds can take time to warm up to other people. The benefit, however, is that their (sometimes) relentless barking at the sign of strangers makes them an extremely handy—and compact—guard dog.

Dachshunds, true to their hunting lineage, love the outdoors. With a decent-sized yard to run around, they will frolic: chasing small animals, fervently barking and possibly digging a few holes. They will also be happy in an apartment (they are among the most popular city dogs), but require lots of play, interaction and regular walks to stay in physical and mental shape.

Things You Should Know

:
Dachshunds are proud and bold. With proper attention, positive reinforcement and training, they will surprise you with a lovable and dependable temperament. They thrive with single people or families with older children. Very young children could lack the necessary patience and maturity required with Dachshunds.

Dachshunds are prone to back problems, due to their long spine and short rib cage. If allowed to jump down from a bed or couch, they can easily slip a disk. For this reason, it is also important to hold them properly, supporting their full frame. (Warning: You’ll find most Dachshunds will resist being picked up).

Also, be sure to ration their food appropriately: Dachshunds can gain weight quickly, causing more back problems and other issues.

A healthy Dachshund can live as long as 16 years, providing years of fun and companionships.

Dachshund History

:
A breed dating back to at least the Middle Ages, Dachshunds—coming from the German dach, which means “badger,” and hund, which means “dog”—were used widely in 17th century Germany as hunting dogs. Their short, sleek frames and an incredible sense of smell allowed them to hunt above ground, below ground and track animals for days at a time. Various sizes were developed over the years—i.e., smaller Dachshunds for hunting foxes and larger Dachshunds for hunting boar—and in 1895 the Dachshund Club of America began to promote the breed in the U.S.

The Look of the Dachshund

:
The Dachshund “look” is hard to miss: low, long and short with a vigorous and muscular body that somehow stays solid and balanced in spite of its squat frame. Its elongated, convex head is erect and alert with ears that hang low and a pair of friendly oval eyes. The base of the neck slopes down to a protruding chest and a tighter abdomen, and the tail follows the line of the back. Dachshunds come in three varieties— smooth, longhaired and wire-haired—and colors can vary from solids of red, tan or yellow or combinations of chocolate, black and gray (among others).

Advantage Multi

I finally got around to ordering Cayman's flea and heartworm preventative. I decided on Advantage Multi since it prevents and kills fleas, prevents heartworm and also prevents internal parasites, unlike my tried and true Revolution does. I ordered a 6 month supply from PetCareRx.com which is actually going to be a three month supply for each dog, since Zoey fits in the weight range as well. I got free shipping and a $5 gift card to be used towards my next purchase. For those not familiar with this product, here is some info...

Brand Name Advantage Multi (Bayer)

Generic Name Imidacloprid, Moxidectin

What is the most important information I should know about Advantage Multi : Advantage Multi for Dogs is available in the following concentrations; Advantage Multi 9 containing imidacloprid 40mg and moxidectin 10mg in 0.4ml tubes for dogs 3-9 lbs, Advantage Multi 20 containing imidacloprid 100mg and moxidectin 25mg in 1 ml tubes for dogs 9.1 to 20 lbs, Advantage Multi 55 containing imidacloprid 250mg and moxidectin 62.5mg in 2.5ml tubes for dogs 20.1-55 lbs and Advantage Multi 88 containing imidacloprid 400mg and moxidectin 100mg in 4 ml tubes for dogs 55.1 to 88 lbs. For dogs over 88 lbs use the appropriate combination. Advantage Multi for Cats is available in the follo0wing concentrations; Advantage Multi 5 containing imidacloprid 23mg and moxidectin 2.3mg in 0.23ml tubes for cats 2 to 5 lbs, Advantage Multi 9 containing imidacloprid 40mg and moxidectin 4mg in 0.4ml tubes for cats 5.1 to 9 lbs, and Advantage Multi 18 containing imidacloprid 80mg and moxidectin 8mg in 0.8ml tubes for cats 9.1 to 18 lbs. For cats over 18 lbs use the appropriate combination. Children should not come in contact with the application site for 30 minutes after application. What is Advantage Multi: Advantage Multi for Dogs and Advantage Multi for Cats contain a combination of insecticide (imidacloprid) and endectocide (moxidectin) used for the prevention of heartworm disease and the treatment and control of flea infestations, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms in dogs and for the prevention of heartworm disease and the treatment and control of flea infestations, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites in cats. What should I discuss with my veterinarian before applying Advantage Multi : Tell your veterinarian if your pet is breeding, pregnant or lactating since safe use of this product in these animals has not been determined. Do not use in animals allergic to Advantage Multi or either of the individual ingredients, imidacloprid (Advantage, K9 Advantix) or moxidectin (ProHeart). How should this medication be used: Advantage Multi is applied topically to the skin. It is not given by mouth. Follow the manufacturer¿s directions for application. Do not apply to irritated skin. Apply each dose once a month, every 30 days. If you do not understand the directions, or if you have difficulty applying the medication, contact your pharmacist or veterinarian. Store Advantage Multi for Cats at temperatures between 39º F and 86º F, avoiding excess heat or cold. What happens if I miss giving a dose: Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time to apply the next dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next dose as directed. Do not apply 2 doses at once. What happens if I overdose the pet: Seek emergency veterinary medical treatment. Symptoms of overdose may include depression, increased salivation, tremors, or incoordination. What should I avoid when applying Advantage Multi: Always follow the dosage instructions provided by your veterinarian. Do not use in dogs under 7 weeks of age or less than 3 lbs. Do not use in cats under 9 weeks of age or less than 2 lbs. Do not use on animals that are sick, debilitated, or underweight. Do not use Advantage Multi for Dogs on a cat. Do not use Advantage Multi for Cats on a dog. Do not allow any animal to lick the application site for 30 minutes. Separation of treated animals may be necessary. Children should not come in contact with the application site for 30 minutes after application. Advantage Multi can cause eye irritation and be harmful if swallowed. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling. What are the possible side effects of Advantage Multi: If any of the following serious side effects occur, stop using Advantage Multi and seek emergency veterinary medical attention; an allergic reaction (facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma). Continue using Advantage Multi for Dogs and contact your veterinarian if your dog shows scratching, rubbing, licking the application site; lethargy, decreased appetite, or hyperactivity. Continue using Advantage Multi for Cats and contact your veterinarian if your cat shows lethargy and prolonged periods of sleep; behavioral changes including agitation, excessive grooming, hiding, pacing, etc.; discomfort at the application site (rubbing, scratching, et.); increased salivation within 1 hour of treatment; increased drinking; or coughing. A medicinal odor and residue at the application site may also be seen. If the dog or cat ingests the product or licks the application site, serious adverse effects may occur including depression, salivation, incoordination, panting and tremors. Hair may appear stiff, matted oily, or damp after application. Other side effects may also occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to the animal. What other drugs will affect Advantage Multi: Talk to your veterinarian or pharmacist regarding any other medications, including vitamins and supplements, and other flea and tick products your pet is using. Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about Advantage Multi for Dogs written by health professionals that you may read.

This information sheet is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies

Advantage Multi^® (imidacloprid + moxidectin) Topical Solution is to be administered monthly, and when applied directly to your pet's skin, prevents heartworm disease, kills adult fleas and controls flea infestations, and treats and controls intestinal worms. The two active ingredients in Advantage Multi are imidacloprid and moxidectin. Imidacloprid has a high affinity for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the post-synaptic region of the nervous system of fleas. The ensuing inhibition of cholinergic transmission in insects (i.e., fleas) results in paralysis and death. Moxidectin interacts with gaba-amniobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate-gated chloride channels. This leads to opening of the chloride channels on the post-synaptic junction, the inflow of chloride ions and induction of an irreversible resting state. The result is flaccid paralysis of susceptible parasites, followed by their death and/or expulsion.

Advantage Multi for Dogs combines 100 percent prevention for heartworm disease, as shown in clinical trials, with the flea control of Advantage^®, and the treatment and control of intestinal worms (hookworms, roundworms and whipworms) - all in one, convenient, monthly topical solution.

Key Benefits¹:

• 100 percent effective at preventing heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, as shown in clinical trials.
• 100 percent effective treatment and control of hookworm infections caused by Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala (adults, immature adults and fourth stage larvae).
• Up to 98.2 percent effective treatment and control of roundworm infections caused by Toxocara canis (adults and fourth stage larvae).
• Up to 100 percent effective for the treatment and control roundworm infection caused by Toxascaris leonina (adults).
• Up to 98.6 percent effective treatment and control of whipworm infections caused by Trichuris vulpis (adults).
• Safe and effective, when used topically as directed, for dogs and puppies that are at least seven weeks of age and that weigh at least three pounds.

Pets and their owners alike will be excited by the convenience of Advantage Multi^® for Dogsveterinarian will determine the correct dosage for your dog by his/her weight. Once a month, the pre-measured dose is applied to the surface of the dog's skin. (imidacloprid + moxidectin) Topical Solution. Your

Advantage Multi for Dogs is available in the four different sizes:

• Puppies/Dogs 3 - 9 lbs.
• Puppies/Dogs 9.1 - 20 lbs.
• Puppies/Dogs 20.1 - 55 lbs.
• Dogs over 55.1 lbs.

Dosage and Administration

The recommended minimum dose is 4.5mg/lb (10.0 mg/kg) imidacloprid and 1.1 mg/lb (2.5 mg/kg) moxidectin, once a month by topical administration.

Do not apply to irritated skin

1. Remove one dose applicator tube from package. As specified in the following table, administer the entire contents of the tube that correctly corresponds to the body weight of the dog.
   
   
   

   * Dogs over 88 lbs. should be treated with the appropriate combination of Advantage Multi for Dogs tubes.

2. While holding the tube in an upright position, remove the cap from the tube.
3. Turn the cap over and push the other end of cap onto the tip of the tube.
4. Twist the cap to break the seal and then remove the cap from the tube.
5. The dog should be standing for application. Part the hair on the back of the dog between the shoulder blades until the skin is visible. Do not apply an amount of solution at any one location that could run off the side of the dog.
   
   

   For dogs less than 20 lbs:

   For dogs weighing 20 lbs. or less, place the tip of the tube on the skin and apply the entire contents directly on the exposed skin at one spot between the shoulder blades.

   

   For dogs larger than 20 lbs:

   For dogs weighing more than 20 lbs., place the tip of the tube on the skin and apply the entire contents directly on the exposed skin at three or four spots on the top of the backline from the base of the neck to the upper back in an area inaccessible to licking.

   

Do not let this product get in your dog's mouth or eyes.
Do not allow the dog to lick any of the application sites for 30 minutes. In households with multiple pets, keep each treated dog separated from other treated dogs and other pets for 30 minutes after application to prevent licking the application sites. (See indications and warnings)

Stiff hair, a damp appearance of hair, pink skin or a slight powdery residue may be observed at the application site on some animals. This is temporary and does not affect the safety and effectiveness of the product.

Shampooing 90 minutes after treatment does not reduce effectiveness in the prevention of heartworm disease.

Shampooing or water immersion four days after treatment will not reduce the effectiveness in the treatment of flea infestations. However, shampooing as often as once weekly may reduce the effectiveness of the product against fleas.

Warning:
For the first 30 minutes after application:
Ensure that dogs cannot lick the product from application sites on themselves or other treated dogs, and separate treated dogs from one another and from other pets to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion. Ingestion of this product by dogs may cause serious adverse reactions including depression, salivation, dilated pupils, incoordination, panting, and generalized muscle tremors. In avermectin-sensitive dogs, the signs may be more severe and may include coma and death.¹

About Advantage Multi Combination Flea and Heartworm Control

Bayer introduced the now very popular advantage flea control products for dogs and cats over eight years ago. The traditional advantage flea control is an easy to apply, monthly, topical spot on just for fleas that does not control heartworms. All advantage products are designed to repel and kill fleas in both adult and larvae stages and also in the pet's surrounding area.

Now Bayer has taken the traditional advantage flea control one step further and added heartworm protection to it's new product, Advantage Multi. The old Advantage product, which is still available, does not require a prescription, however, new Advantage Multi does. This is because it is important to make sure your pet is free of heartworms before you begin any heartworm protection regimen. Heartworm meds can do more harm than good if your pet is already suffering from heartworm disease. Consequently, heartworm medications require a prescription to show that your pet is currently free of the parasite. Heartworm product prescriptions usually last about one year.

Advantage Multi products conveniently help protect against fleas, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms in both dogs and cats. In addition, Advantage Multi for Cats helps control ear mites in felines, and, Advantage Multi for Dogs helps control canine sarcoptic mange in dogs. Advantage Multi flea and heartworm control can be used on puppies and kittens over three pounds, after nine weeks of age for kittens and seven weeks of age for puppies.

The ability to protect your pet from both fleas and heartworms in one easy to apply product is a nice convenience, however, it is important to note that both the traditional Advantage and the new Advantage Multi are not designed to kill, repel, or prevent ticks. Consequently, you may wish to try another product like Revolution should you need protection against ticks as well. The product K9 Advantix for dogs, also a Bayer product, protects against both ticks and fleas but does not control heartworms. The differences between the three Bayer products can be a little confusing sometimes so we've provided a little additional information below to help you make a decision regarding which is best for your individual pet's particular situation.