[Taltarzac725]

FRONTLINE TRITAK For Dogs FAQs

This is the first month I am applying this to Beau as they put some flea/heartworm stuff on him while he was in my lap at Max's Pet Connection at PetSmart on April 12, 2014. I will have to see how he reacts to it. Our previous dog Sport was OK with it.

Both dogs love(d) Doggie Doo Run Run which is a huge dog park of about 10 acres. Both also enjoy investigating almost all of the park.

[kissmelatr]

I agree with Bonanza. I was using Comfortis but stopped I thought I am putting a pesticide, chemical in my dogs body. Then we wonder why all are dogs are getting cancer. With all the shots and such its no wonder. I do use a mixture of water and Bragg's organice apple cider vinegar that I spray on them about once a week if that. I have yet to see a flea on them.

[billethkid]

Sentinel and Front line Plus.
Front Line Plus addresses fleas in all stages (Sentinel does not) as well as tick prevention.

Many, many, many years ago we did not do monthly and only treated the dog(s) when a problem was evident......then chased it down until back to normal.

We (including the dog) are much more comfortable using Sentinel and Front Line Plus in a monthly prevention mode.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I knew I could count on TV's dog mom an dads for so much info!

[echo11]

Sentinel has replaced Interceptor. The difference is that flea control is now part of Sentinel. if you liked Interceptor and had good results- try Sentinel. It seems to be less of an "irritant".

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by kissmelatr

I was using Comfortis but stopped I thought I am putting a pesticide, chemical in my dogs body. Then we wonder why all are dogs are getting cancer. I have yet to see a flea on them.

Originally Posted by Bonanza

We do not treat our dogs on an ongoing basis with any kind of flea preventive, because we do not believe there is anything good you can say about a pesticide rolling around within your pet's insides. Unless you have a problem, none of us should be doing it.

What about heart worm prevention?

[regalcat]

Another vote for Revolution flea,tick & heart worm treatment. I get mine from PetShed online and you do not need a prescription because it's shipped from out of the U.S.
Used frontline and advantage, only Revolution works on our Bichon

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by kissmelatr

I agree with Bonanza. I was using Comfortis but stopped I thought I am putting a pesticide, chemical in my dogs body. Then we wonder why all are dogs are getting cancer. With all the shots and such its no wonder. I do use a mixture of water and Bragg's organice apple cider vinegar that I spray on them about once a week if that. I have yet to see a flea on them.

That's good, and I'm glad it works for you. What kind of dog do you have? If I sprayed our big, hairy, double-coated golden retriever with enough Bragg's & water to reach down to his skin, none of us would be able to breathe.

I want to take him outside and let him run around the dog park. That requires flea prevention. Maybe he'd live longer without it, but it would be a life inside and not very much fun for him. Even the beach has fleas.

[westcoastsunshine]

We tried Sentinel about three months ago. Quite by accident, we
Found the pill totally intact in our dog's feces. Frontline topical
Caused a twitching reaction on the third month of use. We are not
Sure what to do but started using a natural flea and tick spray from
VETS BEST. You can get it at PETCO or on Amazon. Seems to be
Pretty good. They have a hot spot spray that gives immediate itch
Relief as well as heals irritated skin. Saved us a lot in vet bills.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by westcoastsunshine

We tried Sentinel about three months ago. Quite by accident, we
Found the pill totally intact in our dog's feces. Frontline topical
Caused a twitching reaction on the third month of use. We are not
Sure what to do but started using a natural flea and tick spray from
VETS BEST. You can get it at PETCO or on Amazon. Seems to be
Pretty good. They have a hot spot spray that gives immediate itch
Relief as well as heals irritated skin. Saved us a lot in vet bills.

I don't worry so much about fleas.
They can be dealt with after the fact.
But I'm amazed more people don't give a heart worm preventative.
Our Vet told me heart worm is common in Florida and can kill a dog.
Bonanza says don't kill pests unless you see them.
Am I worrying needlessly about heart worm?

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

What about heart worm prevention?

In the past, we have periodically had our dogs on heartworm preventative. For the past three years, we did not use anything. We do have our dogs tested every year, however.

Truthfully, the jury's still out (my husband and I being the jury!) on drugs such as Heartguard, Ivermectin, etc. Here's the bottom line: If you don't give your dog something for heartworm and have your dog tested annually, even if he shows up as heartworm positive, he is easily treated because the heartworm is in its infancy. Not enough time has gone by for heartworms to do damage.

Truthfully, I want to speak about this in greater detail with our vet and hopefully, will get some real facts. I don't want to automatically treat our dogs but would if our vet feels it is absolutely necessary.

I don't profess to be a doctor or even be the smartest person in the world about what to do or not do. i do know that most vets automatically prescribe for fleas, heartworm, and all the usual shots. I try to read as much as possible, but finding the right information is difficult most of the time, having not gone through vet school!

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by CFrance

That's good, and I'm glad it works for you. What kind of dog do you have? If I sprayed our big, hairy, double-coated golden retriever with enough Bragg's & water to reach down to his skin, none of us would be able to breathe.

I want to take him outside and let him run around the dog park. That requires flea prevention. Maybe he'd live longer without it, but it would be a life inside and not very much fun for him. Even the beach has fleas.

Yes, fleas are all over because they breed in sand.
It's amazing how some dogs get them and others don't.

BTW -- Avon's bath oil (Skin So Soft)
has been used as flea repellent
when sprayed on your dog (diluted),
and by simply giving your dog a bath,
the soapy water drowns fleas, too.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I don't worry so much about fleas.
They can be dealt with after the fact.
But I'm amazed more people don't give a heart worm preventative.
Our Vet told me heart worm is common in Florida and can kill a dog.
Bonanza says don't kill pests unless you see them.
Am I worrying needlessly about heart worm?

Bare -- I think we need to worry more about routine checkups and being very aware about watching our pets behavior and reacting when something doesn't seem right. I see pet owners who have pets and (in my mind) don't take care of them properly.

Heartworm in Florida is not common unless your vet is referring to pet owners who do not have their pet tested every year and with strays, etc. Please don't let your vet put the fear of God in you. The incidence of heartworm in dogs is very low among responsible owners who take care of their pet.

I, too, question the best thing to do or not to do. It really is a dilemma because we don't want our beloved cats and dogs to ingest stuff that will lead to a bigger problem down the road.

I have been very vocal about pest control within the home on other threads on TOTV. Companies like Massey and Dean, etc., would have you believe that cockroaches will carry your house away to never-never land during the still of the night! I have not met one person who does not have some kind of monthly pest control for their home! WHY???? No one seems to worry about the residual effect this has on your health, your pet's health, and the environment. A bug here or there is NOT a reason to have monthly spraying. You probably will see a bug here or there anyway.

I wish the public-at-large would resist the propaganda these companies tell everyone, and resist some of their services where they tempt you with fear and discounts if you take their entire package. It isn't necessary!

Okay -- the jury (me) is taking a hiatus (but only until the next time!). I've said enough and probably even too much.

[echo11]

I would not consider not using a preventative for heartworm , parasites, fleas and ticks. My understanding is that treating heartworm once contracted is very difficult and very hard on your pet. A vet should not be prescribing a heartworm preventative without testing your pet yearly for heartworm. The test used should also test for Lyme and other tick diseases. After much trial and error we have settled on Sentinel and Frontline Plus for our dog. We space the 2 products 2 weeks apart.. Each pet owner has to decide what is best for there pet.

[gomoho]

I have also seen dogs being treated for heartworm and it is very difficult - don't know if it is caught early if the treatment is less harsh, but in this case I prefer to be proactive.

As far as spraying the home for pests I have never had anyone spray inside my home - they place a protective barrier outside the house so the pests don't enter.