Lungworm: Advocate vs Panacur

[Mel]

I still haven't actually spoken with my vet as she hasn't rung back.....again.

Please be aware all the lungworm websites and literature are produced by Bayer, the manufacturer of Advocate!

[Mel]

Anna has just rung. Long and short is that Milbemax has just been licenced to prevent lungworm. Although Panacur does cure and treat there is no licence yet granted for prevention.

I will try this and use Billy No Mates for fleas and ticks which worked for Tali last summer.

She has no issues with Advocate but also said she had no issues with Milbemax either.

Some progress then

[Neon]

Thanks for letting us know.  I'm "happy" to carry on with Milbemax then but won't be using any spot on preventatives.  Mel, would you recommend Billy No Mates - did it work OK for you?

[jessandme]

I just wanted to say thankyou Mel for all this information.

I've had Jess on Advocate for a while, on our vet's advice - we do dislike the way it smells and we have also been worried about contact after she's had it applied, because Jess tends to sneak onto/into our bed once we are asleep.  So it is very useful to know that Milbemax is now licensed to prevent lungworm, and we now have an alternative.

By the way we've had Jess on BNM since she was little - she's 20 months old now - and we have yet to see a single tick on her.  No fleas or anything else, either.

[Mel]

As for BNM  it worked for us. You could also add garlic to your dog's diet.

Glad the information has helped. It helped me talk to Anna and not look stupid and I hope she took me a bit more seriously for it.

Just wanted to protect my little man.

Please remember to keep reading stuff and asking questions though. Milbemax is still a chemical and any chemical can have long term adverse effects.

[Toni-UK]

I use moxidectrin/Ivermectin on my aviary birds.

I feel a bit confused now as i advocate every month ,,but occasionally go a bit longer.

I worm every 6 months,but now will think about the milbemax and BNM instead 

How can i find out how prevalent lungworm is in my area.......

[Karma]

Do you know how often Milbemax needs to be given under its licence?  I will definately be in touch with our vets... we only occassionally worm (when we remember) but given that Lungworm is fairly prevelent in this area, I would be prepared to give more frequently... 

[lindseyp]

I was under the impression that Advocate was the only drug licensed as a preventative treatment, with Panacur being the preferred method of actually treating a confirmed infection. 

I know Milbemax, if given monthly, gives "some" protection, but it isn't licensed for this.

I have had to go with taking my chances with Lungworm... we did try Advocate for 3 months, as there were several confirmed cases of Lungworm in the local area... but Honey was getting very itchy at the application site, and the reaction was intensifying each time, which was concerning... 

This is, as I still understand, the best way to prevent lungworm. After nearly loosing Purdey to lungworm a few years ago, I would rather treat (more often in summer but not always monthly  - less through the winter months) by appropriate products - her life has possibly already been shortened by the damage done to her heart & lungs, so take a chance with the medication TBH.
Lungworm is rife in our area, with new & unusual symptoms appearing all the time. Through my experience with Purdey, if you ask any number of vets their opinion or advice they would all vary in some way or another, with some still handing out incorrect advice - my vet seems pretty spot on with it all now & has taken part in a national survey investigating lungworm & the variation & differences in symptoms being presented.
The specialist advice at the time was that Lungworm was & still is a fairly new condition & vets are learning about it all the time - due to where we live, Purdey being a skillful scavenger & her not having any recurrence of the condition, is proof enough for me that the method I am using works, so choose to stick with it .........unless vets learn of a safer alternative or a way to eradicate the blighters 

[Mel]

My vet said every month. A little more often than I would like but as she was upfront with me I have no reason to disbelieve her. But please ask your vets.


Advocate and Milbemax seem to only be effective as monthly treatments. I would hope this may bring about the release of Inceptor so you are not worming generally every month.

[Neon]

I've never heard of Interceptor.  What is it exactly 

[Mel]

Its the Milbemycin oxime which is the ingredient in Milbemax that prevents lungworm and treats it. It is made by the same people who make Milbemax but its only on sale in the US at this time.

[Neon]

OK, so is this given less frequently than once a month? (thanks)

[Mel]

I believe Interceptor is given every month as can Milbemax be. However with Milbemax you are generally worming as well every month and it may be less harsh to Milbemax every third month and use Interceptor in the intervening months. But as it is a US only drug I don't think it would be a good idea to recommend using it as it has no licence here.

[Karma]

Lindsey, it is your experience with Purdey that makes me revisit my decision not to use Advocate every time we use Frontline or Worm or whenever Lungworm is discussed.... unfortunately in the face of an obviously increasing reaction to Advocate, I didn't really have much choice...

The news that Milbemax has now been licenced is good for me, as I would definately give a monthly dose of Milbemax a shot, as Honey has had no reaction at all to the Milbemax.... now just to discover whether the vets are willing to issue it monthly...

[Mel]

I too feel like Karma when hearing about Purdey and knowing about Berti's lungworm. Hence why I have done research into what I am happier using.

In my research though Linds I have found that Advocate "should" be given every 4 weeks to be an effective prevention for lungworm. Anna was most insistent that Milbemax must be every month too.

The thing with all this, is that we all love our dogs and want them to be safe. I personally have never liked Advocate and was loathed to give it. I have posted many times about it.

All I can say to everyone is read what I have found out and make your own decisions and do your own research and find a product which best suits your needs and you feel comfortable using. Let's hope Panacur also gets licence and gives us all more choice.