Flea/Tick meds

[Swissy Mom]

Okay, I'm having a dilemma. I know my vet recommends Revolution, but I generally prefer to treat things individually. Obviously, heartworm prevention is paramount so we will do that no problem. I'm a researcher and sometimes a worrier. It's the pesticides that make me nervous. *knock on wood* I have not used flea/tick meds on my last 3 dogs and never had a problem *knock on wood* I definitely wouldn't use them here in the winter. So, what do you use and why?

[Swissies4Me]

I use Heartguard and Frontline on my dogs. Down here in Texas it usually doesn't get cold enough to kill any of that nasty stuff so I use it year round. When I lived in Illinois I used either Heartguard or Tri Heart Plus and Frontline or Vectra 3D March through November. Our vet recommended not using either during the cold winter months and we didn't have any issues.

[mezmerelda]

I have used both Frontline and Advantix on our dogs. We have not had any issues with the meds. We use only from about March/April through October or November. We are in too many places where fleas and ticks are prevalent, and we've been burned in the past when using holistic/herbal or nothing at all.

[Swissy Mom]

I am thinking with all the things we do I definitely have to do something, plus I am hearing from many dog people around here that the fleas seem worse than they used to be. Not having used the topicals before, I just needed to hear from people who are using them successfully without issue. I was kind of thinking Heartguard and Frontline. I know that is what my breeder uses on her dogs, too.

[mezmerelda]

Oh, I use Heartguard too.

[SapheraGirl]

We use Heartgaurd and Frontline here. Even with 3 feet of snow, ticks seem to "wake up" at a little sunshine. Know on wood, too, we've never had a problem with either.

[NickandNora'smom]

We use heartguard and frontline, too and have not had issues.

[howsefrau32]

I use interceptor for heartworms and frontine for fleas/ticks. Unfortunately, we pretty much use it year round, I'm in FL, nothing that crawls dies here. Ever.

[ALDOGMOM]

I'm in the deep south - it doesn't get very cold here either.

I use Sentinel for heartworm and flea prevention. Terminex treats our yard twice a year for fleas (God only knows what they use) but I have never had a flea problem - ever. I have never had to use frontline or any of the other flea treatments.

Birdie had some fleas on her when we brought her home from the shelter. I used capstar on her twice and haven't had to use anything else since...

I wash their bedding weekly...

[ToBScholarly]

Heartgard and I think we switched to Advantix because Frontline was not working for Reggie - still getting ticks after our Forest Preserve walks.

We have not given either of them anything since it got cold. We will prolly start again in APril.

[kasmith]

So I'm wondering if people are still primarily using Frontline and Advantix?

We've been using Vectra 3D on Abby, and although it has worked (and by worked I mean that I've only found one tick on her since we got her), I'm wondering if this is the best product for her. The Vectra 3D requires three application sites. Because Abby has such short, coarse hair that is tight against the body the application sites tend to spread outwards. Given that I'm putting it between her shoulder blades, the middle of her back, and the base of her tail, I'm worried about her ingesting it. She tends to try to itch the areas. Additionally she hates getting this stuff put on her. It has a dreadful, chemical smell, and at first I thought that was why she didn't want it on her. But in reading some things online some people have posted reports about allergic skin reactions, irritation, and chemical burns and I'm wondering if this is what is bothering her about it?

With the fall and winter coming up I thought it might not be a bad idea to try a different flea/tick option just to see how she reacts to the application as most things in NH will die over the winter.

[Swissy Mom]

I use Frontline on Cash and he does well with it.

[sam.i.am]

My dogs (in the past) were very sensitive to any spot treatment that contained Permethrin (which your Vectra 3D has). I had to give midnight baths about 11 years ago due to the application of a medication with this ingredient. Since that time, I've found that a lot of dogs are very sensitive to that ingredient. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin

I have used either Advantage or Frontline Plus
Here's a summary of a comparative study on efficacy and a bit of info on permethrin: http://www.ehow.com/about_5316874_permethrin-dogs.html

We switched to Frontline Plus when Milton arrived completely infested with fleas and they would not die with Advantage (these were Mississippi fleas -- not sure if they have developed resistance to Advantage in general, but these fleas were unaffected by Advantage), so Frontline Plus killed them and did not cause any negative issues with the dogs. Poor boy was full of fleas, ear mites, and a few intestinal parasites and whip worms (and heartworm that showed up later).

ETA: I don't treat with chemical pesticides often -- just when needed. I do treat under bedding and around doorways and windows and corners with diatomaceous earth. That is a physical insecticide that works by dessication. We buy food grade and it is not unsafe if the dogs happen to contact it.

[bren]

We use Heartguard and Frontline. We tried the Vectra 3D, but I didn't like it. Mostly for the same reasons you don't, Kelly.

Even though we're in the south, we don't usually use Frontline in the cooler months. We treat the yard, and that seems to be enough to keep everything away. We haven't had any flea issues.

[Cole's Mom]

I recently bought advantix because frontline was not doing the trick anymore. I haven't used it yet but I wanted to try something else. Capstar if your dog gets fleas is awesome for getting rid of fleas quickly and effectively.

[kasmith]

Thanks so much everyone!

Yeah, I've read some really bad reviews about Permethrin, and the fact that it is so highly toxic to cats doesn't exactly excite me. Granted, we don't have cats, but I still don't like the idea of it. Do the Frontline Plus and Advantix spread like the Vectra 3D does? The other problem with putting the Vectra on Abby is that these application sites have spread pretty far out and take a couple of hours to dry. Since Abby's tell for going outside is that she rubs on the furniture like a cat, she inevitably leaves a lovely streak on the sofa. lol

[sam.i.am]

My dogs have a bit more hair than Abby, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of spreading of the actual medicine. The medication works by spreading throughout the skin, but I don't actually see the spreading, if that's what you mean.
The dermal tox of permethrin is what worries me as so many dogs have a site reaction. My dogs acted like they were being burnt. It was insane bathing two huge dogs alone due to their severe response. It was awful. The dermal tox is seen in many mammals, so it's separate from the oral tox seen in cats.

The Frontline Plus also deals with ticks (which is why I use it, actually). Advantage had always been gentle and non-irritating, too. I've had good luck with both.

[ToBScholarly]

Advantix just goes on one spot. It repels more types of pests than Frontline... or so it advertises.

[sam.i.am]

Advantix is designed to kill mosquitos in addition to killing fleas and ticks.
Frontline Plus repels/kills fleas & ticks (in all life stages)

Advantage is for fleas (also recommended by my vet for being gentle)
Frontline is for fleas and ticks (but only certain life stages)

[Cole's Mom]

I just ordered advantix and now I am reading that some people have seen horrible side effects in their dogs!!! Should I not try? I feel like Frontline Plus isnt working anymore