Advantix does not take care of heartworms. It is only a flea and tick repellent. Frontline works the same way.
About K9 Advantix
K9 Advantix? offers 5-way protection. The one that repels and kills ticks, fleas and mosquitoes also repels biting flies and kills chewing lice, providing protection from more pests than other topical products.
Does your dog love the water? No problem! K9 Advantix? is waterproof. Studies have shown your dog will still be protected after exposure to water (i.e., bathing, swimming or rain). For optimum results, use a non-detergent shampoo when bathing your dog
http://k9advantix.petparents.com/aboutAdvantix.cfm
As far as others you can use that I know of in Texas for heartworms. There is Heartguard this is one of the oldest ways of prevention and seems to be plenty effective as long as you dont skip more than 3 monthly doses your dog should be protected (this is true for most prevention). But heartguard is labeled as Ivermectin. I know we use the liquid ivermectin on our bunnies so i wouldnt see why it would be a problem for dogs? i would ask a trusted professional for their opinion.
Heres a little about sentinel
What is Sentinel?
Sentinel Flavor Tabs kill the immature form of the heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). They also control adult hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum), and remove and control roundworms (ascarids - Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina) and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis). In addition, Sentinel Flavor Tabs break the flea life cycle
Sentinel as far as fleas only sterilizes the adults it does not kill them
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1460
Interceptor
Luckily, it's simple to protect your dog from internal parasites with INTERCEPTOR? (milbemycin oxime) Flavor Tabs?. INTERCEPTOR Flavor Tabs are the only oral monthly preventive that protects against four parasites all at once. INTERCEPTOR Flavor Tabs prevents deadly heartworm disease, while it protects your dog against adult roundworms (Toxocara canis,Toxascaris leonina), adult hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis).
http://www.interceptor.novartis.us/dog/en/about.shtml
At our other clinic my doctor recommends Iverhart
For years, dog owners have protected their pets from heartworms, roundworms and hookworms with IVERHART PLUS? (ivermectin/pyrantel). Now, IVERHART MAX? (ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate/praziquantel) takes this powerful, proven treatment to the next level to give your pet the most complete protection available against heartworms and roundworms, hookworms, and now, tapeworms. IVERHART MAX? is formulated with the trusted actives veterinarians have prescribed for years in one convenient chewable tablet.
http://www.iverhart.com/
Some combination preventions (take care of fleas and heartworms such as sentinel) would be off the top of my head…Advantage multi, and Revolution(more common for cats)
Symptoms of reactions I have seen:
hairloss, vomiting, skin irritation and usually these are fixed by switching preventions
Overdose symptoms have been known to cause
vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, seizures, and respiratory problems
Sorry for all the reading. And there may have been things I forgot (like Pro-meris) but I hope it helps
ALSO: dogs should be heartworm tested before they are put on any type of Heartworm Prevention as this can create problems for your pup. As far as ticks, There is also a lyme vaccine that can be given to your animal for disease control.
