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How does Vectra® for Cats & Kittens kill fleas on my cat?

Vectra® for Cats & Kittens kills fleas thanks to the dual-action formula of dinotefuran and pyriproxyfen. Those ingredients work together to kill fleas through contact, and also prevent immature fleas from developing into adult fleas.

Does Vectra® for Cats & Kittens work if the parasites don’t bite my cat?

Yes, Vectra® for Cats & Kittens kills through contact, which means a bite is not required.

What happens to the active ingredients once Vectra® for Cats & Kittens has been applied on my cat?

Following topical application of Vectra® for Cats & Kittens, the active ingredients spread from the application site to cover the entire body surface within the first few hours and remain for a month.

Does Vectra® for Cats & Kittens break the flea lifecycle or does it only kill adult fleas?

The pyriproxyfen in Vectra® for Cats & Kittens is an IGR, or insect growth regulator, which means that flea eggs and flea larvae are not able to develop into adult fleas. In addition to killing fleas through contact, Vectra® for Cats & Kittens also breaks the flea lifecycle.

How quickly does Vectra® for Cats & Kittens begin to work?

Vectra® for Cats & Kittens works fast, killing fleas on cats in 6 hours.

Why should I worry about immature fleas and fleas on my cat?

Flea infestations can be a real pain – and the adult fleas you are seeing on your cat are only 5% of the total infestation. The remainder of the infestation is flea eggs, larvae and pupae in your home environment. If you have a flea infestation, it can take up to 3 or 4 months of use to completely get rid of all of the immature life stages. A single dose of Vectra® for Cats & Kittens effectively stops flea infestations and prevents re-infestations on your cat for one month.

Are there any health conditions or situations where I should not use Vectra® for Cats and Kittens on my cat?

Do not use on kittens less than 8 weeks old or under 2 lbs. Do not use this product on debilitated, aged, medicated, pregnant or nursing cats or cats known to be sensitive to pesticide products without first consulting a veterinarian.

How long does Vectra® for Cats & Kittens last?

A single dose of Vectra® for Cats & Kittens will kill fleas on your cat for one month. It also stops the development of flea eggs and larvae into adult fleas for one month.

Why am I still seeing fleas on my cat after I’ve applied Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

If your cat is infested with fleas, the adult fleas you see on your cat are only 5% of the total infestation. The remainder of the infestation is flea eggs, larvae and pupae in your home environment. If you have a flea infestation, it can take up to 3 or 4 months of use to completely get rid of all of the immature life stages. A single dose of Vectra® for Cats & Kittens effectively stops flea infestations and prevents re-infestations on your cat for one month.

What are the side effects of Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

You should monitor your cat after applying Vectra® for Cats & Kittens. Individual sensitivity, such as slight transitory redness, erythema, scratching, pruritus or other signs of discomfort at the site of application, may occur after using ANY pesticide product for cats. If signs of sensitivity occur, bathe your cat with mild soap or shampoo and rinse with large amounts of water. If signs of individual animal sensitivity occur and persist, contact your veterinarian. Gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea have also been reported. If these or other side effects occur, consult your veterinarian or call us at 1-800-999-0297. Have the product container or label with you when calling your veterinarian for advice.

Do I need to treat my cat for fleas even in colder months?

Yes. Although the likelihood of your pets being affected by fleas decreases in the winter months, they can still pose a threat to your pet! Fleas continue to develop indoors thanks to the warmer indoor temperatures. Therefore, it’s important to keep protecting your pet throughout the year.

I did not see the answer to my questions. Where can I find additional information?

If you have any additional questions about our Vectra® for Cats & Kittens, please reach out to our Veterinary Technical Solutions Team at 1-800-999-0297.

How to use

Can Vectra® for Cats & Kittens be used on pets other than cats?

No. Vectra® for Cats & Kittens is labeled for use on cats and kittens that are at least 2 lbs and over 8 weeks of age. The active ingredients in Vectra® for Cats & Kittens, which include dinotefuran and pyriproxyfen, have been formulated for use in dogs in Vectra® for Dogs & Puppies.

Is it okay to apply Vectra® for Cats & Kittens more than once a month?

No. Only apply Vectra® for Cats & Kittens once in a 30-day period. Vectra® for Cats & Kittens protects cats from fleas for one month.

What should I do if my cat experiences any side effects after I’ve applied Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

If signs of sensitivity occur, bathe your cat with mild soap or shampoo and rinse with large amounts of water. If signs of individual animal sensitivity occur and persist, contact your veterinarian. Gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea have also been reported. If these or other side effects occur, consult your veterinarian or call us at 1-800-999-0297. Have the product container or label with you when calling your veterinarian for advice.

Can I use Vectra® for Cats & Kittens with other medicinal products?

There are no known interactions, but as always, you should consult with veterinarian if you have concerns before use.

Can I brush my cat after applying Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

Yes. Vectra® for Cats & Kittens remains effective after repeated combing of cats. It is recommended to brush or comb your cat once the application site is dry.

Is it okay for me to bathe my cat after applying Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

Your cat should be dry when applying Vectra® for Cats & Kittens and should remain dry 24 hours after application. We also recommend shampooing before applying the product, ensuring the cat is dry before applying the product.

What should I do if my cat licks itself after I’ve applied Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

Be sure you follow the instructions on how to apply Vectra® for Cats & Kittens, which indicates that you should apply the product at the base of the neck. This ensures that the risk of your cat grooming itself and ingesting Vectra® for Cats & Kittens is minimized.

When is the best time to apply Vectra® for Cats & Kittens on my cat?

Apply Vectra® for Cats & Kittens on your cat the same day each month. Use the stickers that come in package to add to your calendar as a reminder. It’s also good to pair a monthly heartworm preventive and/or de-wormer on the same day to optimize your cat’s protection against parasites.

What age and weight does my cat need to be before I can apply Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

Cats and kittens should be at least 2 lbs and be over 8 weeks old before applying Vectra® for Cats & Kittens.

What if Vectra® for Cats & Kittens gets in contact with fabrics or house materials?

Vectra® for Cats & Kittens can stain some susceptible fabrics and other materials. We recommend administering Vectra® for Cats & Kittens outside or in a room away from susceptible surfaces. You should wait until the application site is dry before allowing your cat to come into contact with susceptible materials or surfaces. Make sure that your cat does not shake after administration. If Vectra® for Cats & Kittens does come into contact with delicate materials then use an absorbent cloth to remove as much of the product as possible before cleaning the surface appropriately.

If Vectra® for Cats & Kittens gets in my eyes, is swallowed or gets on my skin what should I do?

If in the eyes, hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present, after the first 5 minutes then continue rinsing. Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice.

If swallowed, call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice. Have the person sip a glass of water if able to swallow. Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by a poison control center or doctor. Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.

If on skin or clothing, take off contaminated clothing. Rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15 to 20 minutes. Call a poison control center, doctor, or us at 1-800-999-0297 immediately for treatment advice.

Have the product container or label with you when calling a poison control center or doctor or going for treatment. You may contact us at 1-800-999-0297 for emergency medical information.

How long after using another topical product do I need to wait before applying Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

If you have used another topical flea/tick product within the last month, you should consult with your veterinarian before applying Vectra® for Cats & Kittens.

How do I apply Vectra® for Cats & Kittens?

  1. Ensure your cat is dry before applying the product, and ensure your cat remains dry for 24 hours after application. The cat should be standing or in a comfortable position for easy application.
  2. Remove the applicator tube from the package.
  3. Holding the applicator tube upright, pointing away from you and your cat’s face, place your thumb and index finger around the applicator tip under the large disk. With the other hand, grasp the stem of the applicator tip above the small disk. Press down firmly on the small disk until both disks meet, piercing the seal.
  4. Part the hair down to the level of the skin and slowly apply the product at the base of the cat’s head until the applicator tube is completely empty. Avoid superficial application to the animal’s hair. Do not get the product in your cat’s eyes or mouth.
  5. Discard the empty applicator tube as outlined in the Storage and Disposal section.
  6. Repeat every month, or as recommended by your veterinarian.
  7. For optimal treatment, control and prevention of adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae and pupae, year-round monthly application is recommended.
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