[upstate]

Our dog was at the vet for a exam and it was suggested that we may want to switch from Frontline to Advantage or Advantix while in Florida. The issue was the warmer climate and the increase in fleas and ticks, has anyone switched meds and is there a difference in the flea and tick population from the north to the south? Thank you.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by upstate

Our dog was at the vet for a exam and it was suggested that we may want to switch from Frontline to Advantage or Advantix while in Florida. The issue was the warmer climate and the increase in fleas and ticks, has anyone switched meds and is there a difference in the flea and tick population from the north to the south? Thank you.

You may also want to consider Revolution. We use it on our two dogs all year long. It offers some tick protection (we live six months in Florida and six months in Canada).

By the way, it is MUCH less expensive to buy pet meds online than at a Vet's office. Our Vet does physicals on our two dogs yearly, and then his office faxes the prescription for heartworm prevention to the online pet med company.

[ping]

My dog was on frontline since day one. However, I would fine ticks on her from time to time. Eventually she ended up with Lyme disease....thought the frontline prevented that from happening. I have since switched to Advantage plus....no ticks, no problems. I would definitely recommend the switch and have!

[upstate]

Thank you for the replies, we have bought meds online and it is cheaper.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by upstate

Thank you for the replies, we have bought meds online and it is cheaper.

I've been buying my pet meds online for several years, also things like dental wipes and hypoallergenic treats. I've been getting a much better price than in my Vet's office, or at the pet store. However I just discovered another pet meds website that is even less expensive. I have friends that recommended it. So it pays to shop around, even online.

[rdhdleo]

Originally Posted by pting

My dog was on frontline since day one. However, I would fine ticks on her from time to time. Eventually she ended up with Lyme disease....thought the frontline prevented that from happening. I have since switched to Advantage plus....no ticks, no problems. I would definitely recommend the switch and have!

Just a note Advantage Plus is only flea prevention not tick prevention. Advantix is flea and tick prevention. Always remember nothing "repels fleas and ticks, they have to get on your pet to get the medicine that kills them. Both Advantage and Advantix are safe enough to use as often as every 2 weeks if you are seeing fleas and or ticks.

[g8rjeep]

Ask your vet about Comfortis. Rx only

[elizabeth52]

I switched my dog from Front line to Advantix over two years ago. Does a much better job, IMHO.

[GMIJFI]

After being advised by my vet before we moved here from Washington state, not only do you want to have a product that protects against fleas and ticks but also HEARTWORM as well. Heartworm is easy to prevent but very expensive to treat.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I've been buying my pet meds online for several years, also things like dental wipes and hypoallergenic treats. I've been getting a much better price than in my Vet's office, or at the pet store. However I just discovered another pet meds website that is even less expensive. I have friends that recommended it. So it pays to shop around, even online.

Bare, can you share?

There are more fleas in FL than up north. When our puppy came to Key West, he was inundated. Comfortis got rid of them, and then he was old enough to use Frontline. But due to ticks in our dune grass, we switched to Advantix.

Now our FL vet has switched him to a New heart worm/flea pill that has some tick protection. I like it because it's not topical, but I am concerned about ticks. We don't live in dune grass anymore. But what about Doggie Doo Run Run? Any ticks there?

[kittygilchrist]

Trifexis. for fleas, ticks, worms, heartworm.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Trifexis. for fleas, ticks, worms, heartworm.

That was what Crosby was switched to. However, when the vet learned he was going to a sitter who had three acres out on the edge of the Ocala National Forest, she suggested I use a dose of Advantix for that month, saying it did a better job on all kinds of ticks.

I'm glad to hear you like Trifexis, Kitty. I surely don't miss the topical grease spots Advantix leaves.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Trifexis. for fleas, ticks, worms, heartworm.

I don't like to apply on the back or feed my dog poison, so I don't use the common treatments. I do have a bottle of natural insect repellent (smells like orange and lemon) if it is warm and going for a walk away from my house or in high grass I will shoot one or two spritzes under his belly.

I had been giving him heart worm medication since day one and then was informed that the medicine had a recall and was basically ineffective, so had to have a heart worm test and it was negative. Also told that even if it was effective the dog still may get heart worm so the need for the test at least annually.

Twice (over a year apart) since we had the dog I saw evidence of fleas, 3 or 4 crawling on the underbelly, immediately gave him a bath in Dawn dish detergent. All the fleas died and there were no further signs. I truly believe one of the times he got them at the groomers.

BTW, the groomer never reports any sign of fleas at any of his grooming sessions.

So just saying, the standard regime of exposing your pet to monthly or bi weekly doses of poison does not have to be the norm. Additionally, for those worried about the high cost of these poisons at the vet will find my method much cheaper than even the internet sites. For me, it was not about cost but the health of the dog that guided me to this routine.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by gustavo

I don't like to apply on the back or feed my dog poison, so I don't use the common treatments. I do have a bottle of natural insect repellent (smells like orange and lemon) if it is warm and going for a walk away from my house or in high grass I will shoot one or two spritzes under his belly.

I had been giving him heart worm medication since day one and then was informed that the medicine had a recall and was basically ineffective, so had to have a heart worm test and it was negative. Also told that even if it was effective the dog still may get heart worm so the need for the test at least annually.

Twice (over a year apart) since we had the dog I saw evidence of fleas, 3 or 4 crawling on the underbelly, immediately gave him a bath in Dawn dish detergent. All the fleas died and there were no further signs. I truly believe one of the times he got them at the groomers.

BTW, the groomer never reports any sign of fleas at any of his grooming sessions.

So just saying, the standard regime of exposing your pet to monthly or bi weekly doses of poison does not had to be the norm. Additionally, for those worried about the high cost of these poisons at the vet will find my method much cheaper than even the internet sites. For me, it was not about cost but the health of the dog that guided me to this routine.

If I had a 20-lb dog with short hair, I might try that. In fact, I did try that on our first golden, and it cost a hundred dollars to fix him and the house.

I will go with the flea medication (and I believe calling it poison is inflammatory and an attempt to make us believers feel guilty) and keep my 88-lb current golden flea free and Lyme disease free.

[kittygilchrist]

The last doggie love of my life died of heartworms...the meds then were huge and foul tasting to Charlie and I simply could not shove it down his little throat.
Today's choice for me...Trifexis is possibly the highest priced, and I use a borderline dose along with a day of all you can eat to coat the digestion, speaking of which, it is time to dose for December and oh you poor puppy, how about some turkey?