What dog flea prevention do you use?

[lovsthosebigdogs]

We are currently using Frontline Plus but I was wondering about Comfortis or Trifexis which is for heartworm and fleas. If you use Trifexis what about tick control? I know that when we were in New Orleans for the summer the flea issue was worse than up north and was just wondering about Florida and what you do to manage the issue. With so many dog owners I'm hoping to get lots of input. Thanks.

[kittygilchrist]

trifexis, intestinal and heart worms, fleas, not ticks.

[CFrance]

LTBD, a few months ago our vet switched us from Avantix and separate heartworm pill (has been discontinued) to Trifexis, which is a combo of both in one pill. I hated the topical aspect of Avantix because it left grease marks on the dog forever. there was another topical new one that we tried up in MI, but it was worse. I returned the rest of the six-month supply after the first month. The grease mark never went away till you bathed the dog.

Advantix was a must up north because we lived in dune grass, and there were lots of ticks. Down here in TV (and at the dog park), the ticks are not a problem. Some people do not like to give heartworm and flea protection on the same day, and I have to say... Crosby threw up the day he got the first trifexis dose, but it was 8 hours later, so I don't really know what made him throw up. He usually has a cast-iron stomach. He has never had a reaction to it since. I kind of follow Kitty's plan, which is to feed more soothing stuff on that day to kind of buffer the pill.

Many people are against any kind of flea protection, calling it poison, and rely on washing their dogs off frequently after they've been outside playing. I wish I could do that, but with a 90-lb long-haired dog, that is not so convenient.

[rdhdleo]

Research each product thoroughly. Advantix is an excellent product but like many I do no like the liquid form for this type of medication. Comfortis is strictly for fleas. Trifexis has been known to make some dogs sick. I prefer and have had excellent luck with Sentinal however Sentinal does not kill adult fleas it has a flea birth control in it that prevents the fleas from populating. Should you find an adult flea on your pet you can also use a Capstar a pill which will kill adult fleas on your pet for 24 hours. There is a collar called Seresto that has flea and tick prevention in it that lasts up to 8 month. Also remember nothing repels fleas and ticks from hopping on your et for a ride, they have to bite your pet to ingest the medication. You can also consider Heartguard for heart worm and intestinal parasite prevention and Comfortis for fleas. There are numerous products out there find what works best for your pet. And lastly contrary to what others may say there are Ticks big time in The Villages and YES they mostly come in the pine straw mulch The Villages lays in the common areas. Ticks do travel and will do so to find a warm body to latch onto. Once you have an infestation in your house it can literally takes months to resolve. I have been lucky my 2 dogs have never had fleas or ticks but then I keep them in my own yard. Hope the helps and yes I have 14 years Vet. Clinic experience 10 of them here in The Villages.

[dewilson58]

Frontline Plus

[CFrance]

Research each product thoroughly. Advantix is an excellent product but like many I do no like the liquid form for this type of medication. Comfortis is strictly for fleas. Trifexis has been known to make some dogs sick. I prefer and have had excellent luck with Sentinal however Sentinal does not kill adult fleas it has a flea birth control in it that prevents the fleas from populating. Should you find an adult flea on your pet you can also use a Capstar a pill which will kill adult fleas on your pet for 24 hours. There is a collar called Seresto that has flea and tick prevention in it that lasts up to 8 month. Also remember nothing repels fleas and ticks from hopping on your et for a ride, they have to bite your pet to ingest the medication. You can also consider Heartguard for heart worm and intestinal parasite prevention and Comfortis for fleas. There are numerous products out there find what works best for your pet. And lastly contrary to what others may say there are Ticks big time in The Villages and YES they mostly come in the pine straw mulch The Villages lays in the common areas. Ticks do travel and will do so to find a warm body to latch onto. Once you have an infestation in your house it can literally takes months to resolve. I have been lucky my 2 dogs have never had fleas or ticks but then I keep them in my own yard. Hope the helps and yes I have 14 years Vet. Clinic experience 10 of them here in The Villages.

That's good to know. We haven't seen a tick in two and a half years, but we got rid of our pine mulch early on and only take our dog to DDRR, which is all grass.

[kittygilchrist]

ticks?
after a lifetime in Fl, my experience is that a walk in the woods where you brush against plants in certain seasons is highly likely to result in ticks on you and dog, which have to be removed and destroyed. Have never encountered a home infestation.
I have pine mulch and after one year and one replacement of mulch have not seen any ticks. I'd be interested to hear about it if anyone has had ticks in their mulch, as it is certainly not impossible.

[wendyquat]

Trifexis but I recently read a very negative article where some are sure it killed their dog. We've never had a problem that I know of. He was diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago but I don't think the meds had anything to do with it. It doesn't work for ticks but we've only found one on him and got it off early. Never had a flea! So far, so good!

[Barefoot]

We use monthly Revolution topical ..... it prevents heartworm, fleas, ticks, and round worms.
Our human buys it through an online company that sells pet meds.
The online company faxes our Vet, and his office faxes the script to the online company.

:doggie: Biggins 11 lbs
:doggie: Lollipop 70 lbs

[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.

I will admit if it happens, it is a pain in the butt, but most preventatives are not necessarily a cure-all or a 100% guarantee. Having been in Florida mostly, for about 30 years, I have only had one incident with fleas. I think they're pretty good odds for not doing any ongoing treatment.

I cannot believe how so many Villagers are obsessed with unnecessary pest control within their home and with their pet.
Unless you have a problem, none of us should be doing it.

And no, I am not some kind of nut-job. I simply believe in treating a bug problem when necessary and if it occurs.
There is not one good thing you can say about the constant use of pesticides, Period!

[echo11]

We have tried many products. Our dog is very sensitive. When Interceptor was discontinued we did try Trifexis. Our dog did not do well and threw up about every other month, on the day it was given. He was extremely sensitive to Advantix, trying to bite the spot where it was applied. We had used Frontline in the past but it had been found not to be doing a good job with fleas.
Now we used Sentinel which handles heartworm, parasites and fleas. We do not want to use a tick collar (Seresto) our dog has longer hair and went back to Frontline Plus. Since both address the fleas we give each product 2 weeks apart. These 2 products work well for our sensitive dog.
These products are poisons. That being said, we feel the alternative of not using these products are a bigger risk. We are from the Northeast and Lyme disease is a real issue from ticks. We do always make our divisions based on what we feel is best for our dog. Getting all the facts and making an imformed decision is an owner's responsibility!

[kittygilchrist]

We have tried many products. Our dog is very sensitive. When Interceptor was discontinued we did try Trifexis. Our dog did not do well and threw up about every other month, on the day it was given. He was extremely sensitive to Advantix, trying to bite the spot where it was applied. We had used Frontline in the past but it had been found not to be doing a good job with fleas.
Now we used Sentinel which handles heartworm, parasites and fleas. We do not want to use a tick collar (Seresto) our dog has longer hair and went back to Frontline Plus. Since both address the fleas we give each product 2 weeks apart. These 2 products work well for our sensitive dog.
These products are poisons. That being said, we feel the alternative of not using these products are a bigger risk. We are from the Northeast and Lyme disease is a real issue from ticks. We do always make our divisions based on what we feel is best for our dog. Getting all the facts and making an imformed decision is an owner's responsibility!

I prep my dog's tummy before monthly trifexis with extra food, egg, milk. No vomiting since I began doing that.

[CFrance]

We had a big flea problem back in the '80s with a springer spaniel. Then we had a flea problem with our first golden one time. He spent the weekend with our cleaning person and her boxer, and it cost over $100 (ten years ago) to get rid of the fleas and have him treated for all the holes he bit in himself. Never again. I hear what you're saying, Bonanza, and I admire your environmental conscientiousness, but it's not worth the risk for us, nor the misery for the dog.

I'm not worried about ticks in TV. We don't walk in the woods. We walk in the middle of the street! DDRR has no bushes or pine trees, and Crosby spends the bulk of his time there in the wading pool, surrounded by cement pavers. If they still had Interceptor, I would use that and a topical, but they don't, so we will keep with trifexis unless we find a tick on him.

[redwitch]

Can't discuss the medication issue since I don't have a dog but the tick issue I can. There are most definitely ticks in TV, mainly in the pinestraw. Had a collie that got infested. It took almost daily baths and a tick collar for three months to get rid of them. No fun for Amber or her owners.

[CFrance]

You gotta consider your dog's environment and work from there.

[Taltarzac725]

FRONTLINE TRITAK For Dogs FAQs (http://www.frontlinetritak.com/Pages/FAQs.aspx)

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]

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.


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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

:shrug:

[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.

[CFrance]

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.

I understand what you are saying, but still, with a double-coated dog bred to swim in all kinds of weather, it is nearly impossible to get all the way down to the skin even when giving a bath, let alone spraying something topical. I bathe our dog between monthly groomings but am never able to get him as thoroughly clean as the professionals do. I doubt I could wash the fleas off of him.

And what is in Skin So soft? It's very oily. I can't imagine spraying it on a golden retriever, even diluted, and then allowing him to lie on the bedroom carpet, or having to wash it off of the tile and grout.

BTW, Bonanza, somewhere I have a card for a holistic vet that a friend uses for her Yorkie. If you wish to talk to a "vet from the other side" about heartworm, I'll try to find it. But maybe you already use one.

[Bonanza]

I understand what you are saying, but still, with a double-coated dog bred to swim in all kinds of weather, it is nearly impossible to get all the way down to the skin even when giving a bath, let alone spraying something topical. I bathe our dog between monthly groomings but am never able to get him as thoroughly clean as the professionals do. I doubt I could wash the fleas off of him.

And what is in Skin So soft? It's very oily. I can't imagine spraying it on a golden retriever, even diluted, and then allowing him to lie on the bedroom carpet, or having to wash it off of the tile and grout.

BTW, Bonanza, somewhere I have a card for a holistic vet that a friend uses for her Yorkie. If you wish to talk to a "vet from the other side" about heartworm, I'll try to find it. But maybe you already use one.

No, we don't go to a holistic vet and we are not unhappy with the vet we just started using.

I agree that using Avon's Skin So Soft on your dog would be terrible, and I'm not sure I would use it on our dogs either. It is greasy and probably would require more than an occasional bath. I don't know what the diluted strength would or should be. I only mentioned it because others have used this in the past but again, don't know what those results are either.

[gustavo]

What about heart worm prevention?

I also do not use monthly flea/tick/ prevention. Not a fan of rubbing poison on the dog's skin. I check my dog periodically. If there are fleas they will be on the underbelly or near the private area. Once I saw 3 fleas, a bath in dawn blue finished that off.

I do use the heart preventative. My vet said that the concentration of active ingredient in the US medicines is 3-5 times less than what you would be required by law to give in some foreign countries like Australia.

Funny though, we were told the medicine we were giving for over 2 years was ineffective and we had to come into the vet for a free heartworm test and a free six month supply of the new stuff. The test was negative.