Bayer Animal Health Announces the Launch of Advantage® II and K9 Advantix® II

SHAWNEE, Kan., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer Animal Health announced this month at the North American Veterinary Conference, the availability of its new products:  Advantage® II for cats and dogs, and K9 Advantix® II for dogs.  These products combine the adulticidal properties of the original formulations of Advantage® Topical Solution and K9 Advantix®, with the insect growth regulator (IGR) pyriproxyfen, which inhibits the development of flea eggs and kills flea larvae.  As a result, Advantage® II and K9 Advantix® II kill all flea life stages and prevent fleas on a treated dog from infesting the home.  These products will be available in March 2011.  

Pyriproxyfen, the added compound in Advantage® II and K9 Advantix® II, interferes with the hormone signaling of growing insects so that fleas in immature stages are unable to mature.  The hormone pathway that pyriproxyfen targets is specific to insects and does not affect mammals.  

"Adding pyriproxyfen to the original formulations of Advantage® Topical Solution and K9 Advantix® gives an added layer of protection to our customers' pets and their pets' surroundings.  It interrupts the flea life cycle at multiple stages, and prevents reinfestation," said Peter Ryan, Vice President & Head, Companion Animal Business Unit, Bayer Animal Health.

Advantage® II and K9 Advantix® II have adulticidal, larvicidal and ovicidal properties, killing adult fleas and preventing the emergence of new ones.  Disrupting the flea life cycle through different active ingredients and modes of action is often referred to as integrated flea control (IFC).  Imidacloprid quickly paralyzes a flea's mouthparts and kills fleas through contact, so fleas don't have to bite your pet to die. By protecting pets from fleas, imidacloprid has been shown to reduce the incidence of certain conditions including flea allergy dermatitis.

"As part of our commitment to the well-being of companion animals, we continuously look for new ways to provide our customers with excellent pet protection products," said Joe Hostetler, DVM, Veterinary Services Manager, Bayer Animal Health. "Advantage® II and K9 Advantix® II build upon 14 years of imidacloprid's proven efficacy that veterinarians and pet owners have come to expect from Bayer Animal Health."

Advantage® II, the flea specialist, is a once-monthly topical solution for both dogs and cats, and includes an application for kittens less than five pounds.  

K9 Advantix® II offers five-way pest protection, repelling and killing ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, repelling biting flies and killing lice. K9 Advantix® II is for use on dogs only. Advantage® II and K9 Advantix® II are both waterproof.  See label directions for use.

About Bayer Animal Health

Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. With sales of EUR 977 million (2009), Bayer's Animal Health business is one of the world's leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs. The division manufactures and markets approximately 100 different veterinary drugs and care products for food-supplying animals and companion animals.  U.S. Headquarters for Bayer Animal Health is located in Shawnee, KS.

© Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Advantage and K9 Advantix are registered trademarks of Bayer.

SOURCE Bayer Animal Health