Before buying this Product please make ABSOLUTELY sure you are buying the correct size for your dog. The product is NOT interchangeable between breeds and CANNOT be used on Cats.

Expiry Date 01/2014

Facts on FRONTLINE^® Plus

Trust FRONTLINE Plus to protect your pet

• FRONTLINE Plus is the only treatment for both cats and dogs that gives long-lasting protection against fleas and ticks and controls biting lice
• In a convenient and easy-to-apply pipette, it kills parasites fast and goes on protecting your pet.

Stamp out flea problems

• If you have a cat or dog, the chances are they’ll experience a flea infestation – and be exposed to the diseases fleas can carry – at some time in their life
• FRONTLINE Plus kills adult fleas on your pet within 24 hours and keeps your pet protected for up to 5 weeks in cats and approximately 2 months in dogs.

Kill ticks and lice too

• FRONTLINE Plus kills ticks within 48 hours, minimising the risk of a tick-borne disease being transmitted to your pet.
• FRONTLINE Plus is also effective against the main types of biting lice on dogs and cats, controlling lice infestations within 48 hours.

How does FRONTLINE^® Plus work?

FRONTLINE Plus acts by direct contact with parasites and not via your pet’s bloodstream. It kills fleas within 24 hours without requiring them to bite your pet.

1. FRONTLINE Plus is applied externally to your pet’s skin on the back of the neck.
2. The active ingredient, fipronil, quickly dissolves into the natural oils of your pet’s skin and coat, dispersing over the entire body surface within 24 hours and concentrating in the skin's oil glands to form a reservoir.
3. Fipronil is then secreted with the natural oils of the skin and hair, continuously coating your pet’s skin and hair for several weeks after application – in fact it’s the longest-lasting spot on flea treatment available without prescription.

Before you treat

Before you use FRONTLINE^® Plus, there are a few things you need to know. You should check the suitability of the product for your pet by asking yourself the questions contained in our simple Step-by-Step Guide. Click on the ‘Step-by-Step Guide’ sub-section in the left hand menu and you’ll be able to download a copy.

Also, before treating your cat or dog, please make sure that you're familiar with the following points about using FRONTLINE Plus and read the full instructions and warnings on the pack.

• FRONTLINE Plus is for the treatment of cats and dogs only and for external use only
• Veterinary advice should be sought prior to using FRONTLINE Plus if there is any sign of skin irritation or if the pet is unwell
• FRONTLINE Plus is safe to use in breeding, pregnant and lactating bitches and queens
• Do not use on sick or convalescent animals
• Do not use on kittens weighing less than 1kg or puppies weighing less than 2kg
• Minimum treatment interval 4 weeks
• Do not use on puppies or kittens less than 8 weeks of age
• Do not overdose
• Pets with a known hypersensitivity to insecticides or alcohol should avoid contact with FRONTLINE Plus
• Avoid contact with the animal’s eyes
• The product should not be used on rabbits as adverse reactions and even death could occur
• It is important to apply the dose to an area where the animal cannot lick it off. If licking occurs, a brief period of hypersalivation may occur, due mainly to the nature of the carrier

Precautions when applying FRONTLINE Plus

• FRONTLINE Plus can cause mucous membrane and eye irritation, so avoid any contact with the mouth or eyes. After accidental contact with eyes, rinse carefully with plain water
• Do not smoke, eat or drink during application
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not handle treated pets until the application site is dry
• Avoid the contents of the pipette coming into contact with the fingers, and wash hands with soap and water after use
• Owners with a known hypersensitivity to insecticides or alcohol should also avoid contact with FRONTLINE Plus
• Fipronil may adversely affect aquatic organisms. Do not contaminate ponds, waterways and ditches with the product or empty containers
• Dispose of empty packaging and any remaining product in the household refuse
• Store in original packaging in a dry place. Do not store above 30º C

All year round

Some people think that fleas, ticks and lice are just a problem in the summer. They’re wrong. Your pet needs to be protected regularly whatever the season or it will be susceptible to the irritation – and more serious problems – that these bugs can bring.

Spring
As the weather warms up, fleas and ticks start to breed quicker and quicker.

Summer
The summer months are when your pet is at the most risk. The temperature and humidity can quickly lead to huge flea infestations and massive problems for your pet and your family.

Autumn
This is the time of year when it’s particularly important to guard against tick infestations and the re-emergence of fleas – especially when you turn on the central heating.

Winter
It might be cold outside but your warm home makes an ideal breeding ground for fleas – the risk to your pet never goes away.

That’s why it’s so important to keep up regular treatment, whatever the time of year!

Please NOTE VERY CAREFULLY: Australian Shepherds, along with several other mostly collie-type breeds, can carry a genetic mutation (MDR1) that makes them sensitive to certain drugs. Use of these drugs can cause serious neurological illness or death.

Fortunately, there is a an extremely accurate DNA test that will let you know whether your dog has this mutation. All you have to do is provide a cheek swab. It isn't even necessary to go to the vet.

What is MDR1?
MDR1 is the abbreviated name of a gene called Multi-Drug Resistance 1. A mutation of this gene causes sensitivity to Ivermectin and a number of other drugs. Dogs with the mutation will react to those drugs. Having two copies of the mutation will lead to drug reactions, but having a single copy can also confer some sensitivity with some drugs. Dogs with this mutation have a transport defect - the drug goes in to their brains, fails to be transported out, and builds up to toxic levels. This causes serious neurological problems including seizures and sometimes death.

Which drugs cause reactions?
Ivermectin was the first drug recognized to cause a reaction, but it is far from the only one. Ivermectin at low dosage, as found in heartworm medications, will not cause a reaction. The larger doses needed for worming will. Other commonly administered drugs on the list include acepromazine and Imodium. Fortunately, there are alternative medications available if your dog requires treatment.

Which breeds are affected?

• Australian Shepherds
• Collies (Rough and Smooth)
• English Shepherds
• McNabbs
• Miniature Australian Shepherds
• Old English Sheepdogs
• German Shepherd Dogs
• Long-haired Whippets
• Shetland Sheepdogs
• Silken Windhounds
• Mix-breeds with any of the above in their background

How common is the MDR1 mutation in Aussies?
32% of the Aussies and 49% of Mini-Aussies have at least one copy of the gene.

How do I know if my dog has the MDR1 mutation?
If your dog has already reacted to one of these drugs, it has the mutation. However, reactions can be so dangerous to your dog it is advisable to have the dog tested so you know whether it is sensitive before it receives any of the listed drugs.

What do the MDR1 test results mean?
This is a DNA mutation test. It will determine whether or not a dog has the MDR1 mutation and, if it does, whether it has one copy or two. The test report will provide you with the genotype for your dog, generally listed as Normal/Normal, Normal/Mutant or Mutant/Mutant.

Dogs with even one copy of the mutation should be considered sensitive to listed drugs. If your dog carries the mutation, provide a copy of the test results and a copy of the listed drugs to every veterinarian who treats your dog and let them know your dog cannot have those drugs.

What dogs should be tested and how often?

Since this is a DNA test, a dog only needs to be tested once. Due to the high frequency of the mutation in the breed and the variety of drugs to which dogs with the mutation can react, all dogs, including rescues of unknown parentage and Aussie-mixes should be tested. Their lives could depend on it.

The only exception is as follows: If both parents of a dog have tested Normal/Normal, they cannot pass on the gene and their offspring will not need to be tested. However, if a Normal/Normal dog is bred to one of unknown status or one that has even a single copy of the mutation, the offspring must be tested.