Dog Community

What do you use for fleas and ticks

maryluc

Posted : 8/2/2011 12:42:44 PM

Just wondering what the best and safest methods are

Boxermom2Marley

Posted : 8/2/2011 1:40:34 PM

I have used Frontline Plus, a topical, on my dogs for the last 10 years. I would rather not use anything at all, but I have lived in FL for the last 20 years and one thing I have learned....you *always* need flea/tick preventitive here. I drop them once a month. I wish I could go longer in between, but have found that if I dont do them every month...everybody gets fleas.

Hopefully when I move to Michigan in a year...I wont have to use it the whole year, maybe just the summer months.

I tried using Comfortis, a chewable, ONCE and will never do that again. My 1 1/2 year old (at the time) boxer had a neurological affect after I gave him that pill. He was very lifeless, disoriented, couldnt hear me. Yeah, never again with that one. BUT I have known other people that have used it with no problems.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/2/2011 11:08:06 PM

Frontline has been my preference but it's not working well over here in Central FL *this* year so I'm using plain old Advantage.

The **bad** stuff in my book is Advantage-Multi (it's moxidectin -- the stuff that was in ProHeart 6), ProMeris (nasty stuff all around), and I don't like any of the systemic stuff -- Revolution, Biospot, nor do I like Comfortis (for the above-reasons -- it actually kills by giving the fleas 'seizures' -- so it's too scarey for me altho as she says, a LOT of people like it).

Also -- last year one of the ladies on here tried Vectra and had a HORRIBLE reaction - it caused seizures in one of her dogs and a massively nasty reaction in two other dogs (it actually drew fleas TO those dogs). So I ditched mine and I won't use it at all either.

auburn2932

Posted : 8/3/2011 6:21:04 AM

I use Frontline Plus also. Has anyone tried the one that WalMart is selling and saying it is the same as Frontline but cheaper? One of my friends use it and say it is just as good.

maryluc

Posted : 8/3/2011 9:14:38 AM

auburn2932

I use Frontline Plus also. Has anyone tried the one that WalMart is selling and saying it is the same as Frontline but cheaper? One of my friends use it and say it is just as good.

I may have to check this one out. The prices of Frontline & Advantix are $$$$

JackieG

Posted : 8/3/2011 9:24:42 AM

auburn2932
Has anyone tried the one that WalMart is selling and saying it is the same as Frontline but cheaper? One of my friends use it and say it is just as good.

I don't use Frontline any more but the product sold by Walmart is the same. The patent ran out on Frontline and that's why it's now available elsewhere for less money. That's what I was told by a reliable source.

I use Comfortis on my dogs and have for quite a while with no issues.

erica1989

Posted : 8/3/2011 11:09:47 AM

actually - the ones at walmart have been recalled, put back on the shelf - and now they are being pulled for good. I just talked to my Merial rep yesterday.

I use comfortis for my dogs, and rotate between frontline and advantage for my cats (just depends what I have on hand). I have not had a problem with any of the products. They say you must use them consistently for 3 months to have optimal results (gets all the eggs, larvae, pupa, etc).

The majority of my clients use comfortis, everyone has been pleased.

Thalie

Posted : 8/3/2011 11:59:45 AM

I use Frontline Plus and the Monstresses never hosted a single flea (knock on wood) or had a reaction. The only disadvantage it is not very easy to apply with double-coated breeds (you got to find the skin thru all that undercoat and take your time since it is very runny).

JackieG

Posted : 8/3/2011 3:58:13 PM

erica1989
actually - the ones at walmart have been recalled, put back on the shelf - and now they are being pulled for good. I just talked to my Merial rep yesterday.

That's very interesting. Can you tell us the reason?

erica1989

Posted : 8/3/2011 9:05:20 PM

they didn't say... but I do know a few animals had severe reactions to this product. The main ingredient was the same, but I don't know what else was added in. We had a house of 6 cats come in one night in full seizures.

I know Merial won all the lawsuits, and the product is being pulled form the shelves. I would assume the original recall was due to the lawsuits

that sad too.... it was not at all cheaper. our price per dose matched exactly what walmart was charging. theirs was sold in boxes of 3, which made the cost seem lower (a coworker of mines boyfriend is a manager at walmart, so the pricing is correct!)

kpwlee

Posted : 8/5/2011 9:01:33 AM

Frontline plus here, year round. I used to use K9 Advantix but got put off by so many reporting issues.

Erica a bunch of people have produced 'generic' Frontline Plus not just walmart - i wonder if those have been pulled too

As for price gosh I wish my vet was even close on price - I just paid just over $100 (with tax) for 6 doses (I had a voucher from Merial for 2 bonus applications so I got 8 for that price) I usually buy 6 doses from dog.com for $74 or so - I didn't really save myself any money getting the 2 bonus applications because their darn price was so high. For those that just fainted I have to be the 89-132lbs size LOL

erica1989

Posted : 8/5/2011 10:28:51 PM

ouch! that is high!

According to my rep - ALL the generics are being pulled. At least all the generics that are marketed as 'plus' - they regular 'top spot' generics are not being pulled, to my knowledge.

Colette

Posted : 9/28/2011 11:42:47 PM

Our grooming shop only uses organic earth friendly shampoos. I have seen so may dogs with fleas this year, there should be a statue made for the little buggers! You can pinch them spray them drown them and they still manage to live on!. it's a no wonder, 10 live breeding fleas can add up to 290,000 flea eggs in just 30 days. they can go dormant for a while and you will have another out break. You should have the home spayed, wash all dogs bedding and have the dog done by your groomer. Frontline helps equally as well as any other brand name. Advantage is good but buyer be ware, if you have seen the cute little golden pup commercial, listen close, it doesn't repel fleas, it repels tic's. I have been told that garlic tablets help. But I can't say for sure I haven't tried that one yet.

JackieG

Posted : 9/29/2011 6:43:35 AM

Colette
Advantage is good but buyer be ware, if you have seen the cute little golden pup commercial, listen close, it doesn't repel fleas, it repels tic's.

Not true. Advantage is a flea control product. Bayer also makes an Advantage product that controls fleas and ticks.

Boxermom2Marley

Posted : 9/29/2011 7:08:25 AM

erica1989
According to my rep - ALL the generics are being pulled. At least all the generics that are marketed as 'plus' - they regular 'top spot' generics are not being pulled, to my knowledge.

I think the one that was imitating Frontline Plus was called Avoderm...I still see it on our Walmart shelves.

My ex kept telling me why would you pay $52 at the vet for 3 treatments, when this is just like Frontline Plus for $25....I am finicky. I would rather pay the extra money to get something I trust than go for cheaper.