Dog Community

4/6/10 Best flea/HW prevention?

Posted : 4/6/2010 9:37:11 AM

Because there are some extremely knowledgeable people here on these boards, I have a question I would like to ask.

What, in your opinion, is the best Flea and Heartworm prevention? I currently have my boys of Frontline Plus, and no heartworm prevention. I'm scheduling an appointment to get their fecals tested, and my vet will probably just suggest HeartGuard, or something similar.

What would YOU suggest?

We have 3 dogs, all small, and they spend most of their time inside. This summer we'll be camping again, so they will all be spending lots of time outside - which worries me.

Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions you might have, or if you have had any positive/negative experience with HeartGuard.

Xebby

Posted : 4/6/2010 10:15:21 AM

like many here I use Interceptor for Heartworm and internal parasites. I have a heartworm and fecal test done once a year and keep my dog on it year-round.

Now for fleas and tick protection, I use the Frontline Spray. It’s formulated a bit different then the frontline drops and works well on dogs that have sensitive skin. Gizmo’s skin turns red and she becomes itchy with the drops so I had to find something safer. I treat my dog with it about once a month or as needed. It can also be used as a spot treatment. We get ticks year round here so I can’t stop in the winter, the buggers like to hide deep in the ears. In colder climates it’s probably ok to not use a preventitive in the winter if you feel confortable with that. So far I haven’t found any fleas or ticks on Gizmo for over three years since I started using the spray.

Another advantage to the spray is for people who have many dogs, they may have a difficult time affording the drops. The spray is a cheaper safe alternative and when used properly, has the same effectiveness. It’s a great product have in kennels,shelters and vet clinics were not every dog can be treated with drops. Only problem is that it's a bit more difficult to find, I had to ask the vet to special order it for me but I have found places that sell it online, including dog.com.

erica1989

Posted : 4/6/2010 10:21:21 AM

I use interceptor year round, and advantage for fleas - as needed.

ETA: in the general section - there's 3 page posting on heartworm preventives - you may want to check that out

Rott-n-GSDs

Posted : 4/6/2010 10:52:21 AM

I use Heartguard (not Heartguard Plus) for my dogs. I don't do preventative worming. If something shows up, I'll worm them. If not, I'd rather not use unnecessary chemicals.

For flea/tick control, Frontline is probably the safest spot on product on the market. With that being said, there still have been reports of negative effects/allergic reactions. They are not usually as severe as the products that contain permethrin (Advantix, Bio-Spot, Vectra, Hartz, etc.). There have been reports of seizures and deaths potentially related to these products (the manufacturers have, of course, funded their own studies which "prove" they are safe).

I don't use chemicals at all for flea/tick control. I use food grade diatomaceous earth (DE). It comes in powdered form and I apply it to my dogs about every 5-7 days. I also use 100% neem oil mixed in with their shampoo whenever I bathe them, and plan on making a spray to occasionally spritz them with. Neem is a natural pesticide and is also good for the coat.

MiniPinMinellaMommy

Posted : 4/6/2010 11:05:02 AM

Awesome advice! Thanks, everyone!

I did just see the other post in General Chat. That contains excellent information, too.

I have made their bloodwork appointment and will speak, in length, about all these products to my vet.

You guys ROCK!

erica1989

Posted : 4/6/2010 11:44:36 AM

Advantage is MUCH safer than frontline - infact, they just did a story down here about stronger label requirements for Frontline because of the issues they are having with it.

Advantage can be used safely on infant pups and kittens, as well as other wildlife animals.

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/6/2010 12:25:36 PM

erica1989

Advantage is MUCH safer than frontline - infact, they just did a story down here about stronger label requirements for Frontline because of the issues they are having with it.

.

Just don't confuse Advantage with Advantage-Multi. A-M has moxidectin in it (that's what was in Pro-Heart 6) Bayer was bought by Ft. Dodge a couple of years ago -- not disagreeing with Erica at all -- just pointing out the difference.

Rott-n-GSDs

Posted : 4/6/2010 2:21:55 PM

erica1989
Advantage is MUCH safer than frontline - infact, they just did a story down here about stronger label requirements for Frontline because of the issues they are having with it.

I am unfamiliar with Advantage... I just looked it up. It looks like the active ingredient is Imidacloprid, so no permethrin. :) Advantix, on the other hand, does contain permethrin... and therefore I would avoid it. If ever the DE isn't working for me, I'd definitely look into Advantage, thanks!

erica1989

Posted : 4/6/2010 3:48:50 PM

It's the only one I use on my crew :)

Advantage multi is a big NO, as Callie said. :)

tiffy

Posted : 4/6/2010 8:14:01 PM

Rott-n-GSDs
I use Heartguard (not Heartguard Plus) for my dogs.

I thought Heartguard was not recommended for herders? I could be wrong though, its been known to happen. Stick out tongue

erica1989

Posted : 4/6/2010 8:21:41 PM

It's not recommended for bc's and aussies - and dogs with an ivermectin sensitivity. Obviously - if she's been giving it to her dogs without issues - there's nothing to worry about there.

tiffy

Posted : 4/6/2010 9:15:27 PM

Oh, I didn't realize it was breed specific. Thanks Erica.

erica1989

Posted : 4/6/2010 9:30:04 PM

for the most part - although ANY dog can have a sensitivity to any sort of medication - just like people.

typically, when people say 'herder' they just mean the aussies and bc's - people forget that the herding list can go on for pages!

Rott-n-GSDs

Posted : 4/6/2010 10:30:40 PM

erica1989
It's not recommended for bc's and aussies

I think the list also includes collies, right? Luna was listed by the shelter as being part Akita, and ivermectin (heartguard) and Milbemycin oxime (Interceptor) are both on the list of drugs to avoid with Akitas. I finally just picked one... I couldn't risk HW by not giving anything. (I'm not sure whether or not Luna actually has any Akita in her, since her mommy was GSD that's all I know for sure!) I'm interested in the Interceptor, however. It seems most of the people on this forum use it. Is that because of the added whipworm protection, or for another reason (safer than HG, maybe?)

Xebby

Posted : 4/7/2010 12:48:52 AM

I like the added bonus of Interceptor treating for whips but I made the switch because it has been tested to be safer for the collie breeds. I had to do a mini training class when I was a vet assistant and liked what I saw, I was also given a two year supply for free for participating. So yeah, part of it is advertising (bribing the vet assistants to promote it) and the other my own research.

Biggest mistake I made was giving Revolution. I don't hear about it as much but it was a "too good to be true" kind of preventative. I would stay clear away from that stuff.