🐾 Dog Heartworm & Tick Prevention｜Advocate & Frontline Plus Review

"Learn how to protect your dog from heartworm and ticks with Advocate and Frontline Plus. Detailed guide on benefits, differences, application tips, and real-life experience with my Shih Tzu."

 

As a grandmother in my 70s raising a lovely Shih Tzu named Creamy, I pay special attention to parasite prevention. Since we often visit the farm and walk through grassy areas, mosquitoes and ticks are a constant concern. To keep my dog safe, I use Advocate (Advantage Multi) every month as the main protection, and during months when we go to the farm, I add Frontline Plus about a week later for extra tick control.

In this post, I will share the differences, benefits, application methods, and my personal review of both products.

“Relaxing in the farm field — tick prevention is essential here.”

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🌿 Advocate (Advantage Multi) — The All-in-One Protection

Advocate is a topical treatment that covers both external and internal parasites.

• Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid + Moxidectin
• How it works:
  • Imidacloprid kills fleas on contact before they bite.
  • Moxidectin prevents heartworm disease by killing larvae transmitted by mosquitoes, and also treats intestinal worms (roundworm, hookworm, whipworm).
• Strengths: Broad coverage (fleas + intestinal worms + heartworm prevention).
• Limitations: Tick protection is weaker compared to other dedicated products.

“Monthly heartworm prevention with Advocate.”

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🌱 Frontline Plus — Strong Tick & Flea Defense

Frontline Plus is widely used worldwide and is well known for its effectiveness against ticks and fleas.

• Active Ingredients: Fipronil + (S)-Methoprene
• How it works:
  • Fipronil disrupts the parasite’s nervous system, killing adult fleas and ticks.
  • (S)-Methoprene is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that prevents flea eggs and larvae from developing into adults, breaking the life cycle.
• Strengths: Powerful against ticks and fleas, with protection lasting about 30 days.
• Limitations: Does not cover heartworm or internal parasites.

“Preparing Frontline Plus for extra tick defense.”

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⚖️ Using Advocate and Frontline Together

• Routine: Advocate once a month for baseline prevention.
• Farm Visits: Add Frontline Plus about 5–7 days later for extra tick protection.
• Why not on the same day? Although the ingredients act differently, applying both at the same time can irritate the skin. Spacing them out reduces the risk and keeps your dog safe.

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Prevention makes the difference

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🧴 How to Apply Topical Treatments

1. Make sure the product is correct for your dog’s weight category.
2. Part the fur on the back of the neck where your dog cannot lick.
3. Apply the entire pipette directly onto the skin (not on the fur).
4. Avoid bathing:
   • Advocate: No bathing for at least 2–3 days, ideally 5–7 days.
   • Frontline Plus: Waterproof after 24 hours, but better to delay bathing for 3–5 days.
5. Prevent other dogs from licking the application site.

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🚨 Possible Side Effects

• Mild reactions: Temporary greasiness, slight redness, mild itching at the application site (usually gone within 1–2 days).
• Serious reactions (rare): Severe rash, vomiting, lethargy, tremors. If these appear, contact your vet immediately.
• Important: Never overdose or apply more than once in the same month.

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💰 Price Range (Approximate, Online)

• Advocate: $12–18 USD per dose (depending on size and package).
• Frontline Plus: $10–15 USD per dose.
  💡 Prices vary by region, and vet clinics may charge more. Always buy from trusted sellers to ensure authenticity.

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🌸 Small Habits to Keep Dogs Healthy

Here’s what works for me:

• Advocate every month for heartworm prevention.
• Frontline Plus as an extra layer of tick protection after farm visits.

Even in my 70s, I simply mark the dates on my calendar, and it becomes an easy routine. Prevention is a small habit that helps our furry companions stay with us longer and healthier.

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🐶 Meet Creamy, My Shih Tzu

Let me introduce Creamy, my sweet Shih Tzu who inspired this post.
We share daily life together — from quiet home moments to joyful farm walks. Watching her stay healthy thanks to regular prevention makes me happy and relieved.

 

“This is Creamy, my beloved Shih Tzu. She receives Advocate monthly and Frontline Plus after farm visits for tick prevention. With these simple steps, she can run happily and stay healthy.”

 

 

“Creamy’s Healthy Routine — Farm Days & Parasite Protection”