Allergic reaction to Frontline!

lisa4kids1pup

I guess we will go to Advantix now. 

I wouldnt. I would use Advantage before I would ever use Advantix again.

I used it on Bailey once, and he started puking and acting lethargic not long after it was applied. I gave him a bath to wash it all off, after that he was OK. His skin got a little red and flakey in the area where it was applied also.

I would never use Revolution, either.

 At the moment, I'm not using anyting. I havent applied any sort of flea/tick preventative this year so far, and he still doesnt have any. I use my own form of prevention, which is combing daily (I keep a jar of alcohol near by to drop any bugs in) and bathing often if nessicary. I also check him after running in long grass or thru bushes, and give him a quick combing after.

WendyMollie1

It paralyses the insect so why not the dog? Even though the claims are that this topical stuff doesn't enter the bloodstream I've read several legitimate reports of autopsies done on dogs that died from this and similar topicals (Biospot, for one) and the chemical was found in all the organs.

It is very rare for the pesticide in Frontline to go systemic -- I would bet that there were some extenuating circumstances -- like that the dog licked excessively or actually got some of the pesticide in its mouth.

things likg BioSpot and Revolution and ProMeris and AdvantageMulti are DESIGNED TO GO SYSTEMIC.  They work in the bloodstream and they're simply applied to the skin so they WILL go into the bloodstream.

Fipronil is NOT intended to be systemic -- it typically stays in the hair follicles and skin pores. 

Sad accidents can happen ... and there is risk with anything like this.  They are all chemicals and have to be respected.  But Frontline is still one of the safer things out there -- with Advantage and Vectra. 

I live in Florida -- the fleas are horrific here -- and no amount of herbals or anything else will work.  I've tried it all (including diatamaceous earth) -- and there are also potential risks in allowing your dog to be bitten. 

It's not an easy decision.  But please don't put Frontline in the same category with those preparations that are INTENDED to be systemic.  And honestly?  The reactions to those are far far worse than Frontline.

Working as a receptionist in a VERY BUSY vet clinic for 4 years....we sold a lot of Advantix, Advantage and Frontline...and more recently Vectra....    Not a lot of people liked Vectra..but I can't remeber any problems with the others.  Occasionally one client would say that one didn't work over the other...but that was rare.  

Callie is right...any one dog could have a problem with any one drug...but I think those "tried and true" flee medications are pretty safe.   That said..... where I live....I don't use them either...and never have.  I have a box of Advantix that I got free...so I did use it for Gibby one month last year when he was going to play days at day care a lot.  Later in the summer when he goes back I will probably use it again.   But I'd really rather not.   I would not use Revolution because I have seen a few dogs develope skin issues after using it...so that is on my list to never buy.

The thing that so often gets misses is how HUGE the difference is between the stuff that goes systemic and the stuff that doesn't. 

The stuff that goes systemic (see my list above) is literally a pesticide that resides IN the dog's blood for a month or better at a time.  It takes a huge toll on the body.

But for sure -- if you get a topical reaction it should always be discontinued.

Dawnben

I don't know how they can say it does not absorb into the bloodstream, anything you rub on your skin absorbs into the bloodstream.

No, it honestly doesn't -- at least not to a major degree.  There are OTHER ingredients in almost anything tho and the only thing about Frontline that does absorb to any degree at all is one of the additives and it's really pretty minor (but would be a problem in a dog that was sensitive to it for some reason).

Frontline is specifically made to pool in the hair follicles and skin pores -- that's the specific part of it's delivery system -- is as the hair grows out MORE of the Frontline is exposed in the new growth keeping it at skin level. 

Advantage crystalizes all over the skin (which is why it washes off so readily)

Dawnben

You should also watch and see if it needs to be applied every month. You can go 3 months in between applications.

ABSOLUTELY -- I never apply ANYTHING until I see a pest and even here in Florida I was routinely able to use Frontline only every 3 months or so.  Unfortunately a lot of fleas have gotten resistant to Fipronil -- and I don't like the "plus" (because that DOES absorb). 

I've tried every insect repellant known to man, woman or beast -- because fleas can be SO harmful to the dog (fleas can actually sicken a dog and make it anemia -- JUST fleas can actually trigger stuff like IMHA *sigh*) and I hate hate HATE having to use chemicals on them. 

I had high hopes of Sentry's Natural Defense which is all essential oils -- but nope -- it caused MY respiratory system to nearly shut down and two of my dogs reacted negatively to it.  Too much clove I think (which is a really intense oil anyway).