Warning for dog owners

[rodie]

We are dog lovers and owners, have two ship tzus. As responsible dog owners we make sure our kids are taken care of with their shots and medicines. We have used Frontline Plus for ticks and fleas for many years, used monthly. Last week we went to the vet and instead of selling us Frontline Plus they sold us Frontline Tri Tak which they said was the newest product, which we found out later that the reason they did was because they did not have enough space to keep both products. This past Monday, my wife applied the medicine to both dogs around 2PM. Immediately the dogs started acting different, very hyper. Later they started barking for no reason, twitching, licking, scratching, etc. we continued to try to calm them down still not relating the issues to the medicine. They sleep with us and it only got worse as the night went on. At midnight, we called the pet hospital and they told us to wash the dogs where we applied the medicine. This helped but to get them to rest somewhat we had to continually pet their necks. Around 4:30 AM we all were able to get to sleep until about 7:30.

It took until the following night until the kids were completely back to normal. Very frightening and we were scared as to what to do. We went to the vet and told them the issue, and they exchanged the medicine thru their other office. I told them very strongly, if you get my drift, that they should remove this product from their shelves and burn it. If it affected one dog this way that as a responsible vet they would not want to sell it to anyone else. They said they could not do that, that this might be an isolated case. I told them they should care more. We have also called Frontline and told them. They gave us a case number and said we should probably not use that medicine again. We said "really".

We are telling all of our friends about this experience and felt compelled to warn other dog owners. Do not use Frontline Tri Tak.

[Jaggy]

Thanks for the informative post. This is good information for keeping our furry babies happy.

[CFrance]

Thanks for the info. Even if it's an isolated case (which I doubt), it is good to know to avoid this medication.

[getdul981]

We use the Advangtage-Multi on our girls. There is one product that we were told we could not use for our girls because they had had seizures. I don't remember what it was, but it was an "all in one treatment" They have been on the Advantage-Multi for a couple of years now.

[jrandall]

Thank you for sharing.

[sunnyatlast]

So sorry this happened. I don't understand "applying" it to the dogs. Our dogs have been given oral tablets for years, and for the last few years they've been given Comfortis monthly chewable tablets. Never had a problem with the oral tabs.

https://www.comfortis.com

[firebiker]

Are you talking about your kids or dogs?

[festusrules]

Try it on your dogs, not on the kids.

[KathieI]

Sorry this happened to your puppies. The same thing happened to one of my Schnauzers when I applied the medicine down his back. His reaction was exactly the same as your dogs. He happens to be a highly sensitive dog, I feed him special hypo-allergenic food and treats, and must be very careful that he doesn't eat people food. The vet thought that his propensity with allergies probably created the problem, but I threw out the product (I think is was regular Frontline) and have not given it to him again. I now give both my dogs pills instead.

I actually hate having to give them this medicine because we didn't have this problem in CA so I was shocked when I arrived here and was told I had to do this. But, I can guarantee you, I will never put the liquid on either of them again.

[mfp509]

It didn't agree with my dog either! He scratched for three days before he would calm down again. He's a mini poodle. I told the vet about it and went back to the plain Frontline.

[Barefoot]

Do not use Frontline Tri Tak.

This must have been a very frightening experience for you, and for your poor little dogs. I think the Vet and the Manufacturer should both have taken your negative experience way more seriously.

Thanks so much for sharing this important warning.

[echo11]

Thanks for the info. We also use Frontline Plus without a problem. We had tried Advantix and our guy did not do well- itching and biting at the application site. We really appreciate your sharing your experience!

[cmj1210]

I have the same problem with my Golden. I have tried both Frontline & Advantix. Gave it a little while & since he didn't calm down I washed it off. Nice waste of money.

[sukismom]

Had the same issue using Advantage-Multi on my Shih Tzu. Seizure like symptoms Went back to regular Frontline.

[Bonnevie]

I've used just Advantage since it came out. If my dogs got ticks then I used Frontline until tick season was over. Since they've never had a reaction and it takes care of the fleas, I intend to stick with it. new is not always better.

[NottaVillager]

We have been using Trifexis on our Mastiff with virtually no problems. It's an oral and they apparently don't taste good but my wife always gets her to take it without a lot of wrangling.

[Taltarzac725]

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Frontline Tritak 3pk for Large Dogs - 45-88 lbs

It does not seem to be isolated but a problem with the product and some dogs.

I recall I used it on Sport for a while but changed as soon as the prescription was over.

[gomoho]

We have been using Trifexis on our Mastiff with virtually no problems. It's an oral and they apparently don't taste good but my wife always gets her to take it without a lot of wrangling.

Just switched to Trifexis and for some reason thought it was a chewable. The big guy kept spitting it back out so managed to get it down his throat.
That was a few days ago and no adverse reaction.

[Abster]

I use Advantage on my dog and cat. However, when using, I only apply about half the tube and wait quite a while to apply the remainder for this very reason. My dog is a small breed and I'm always very careful re her monthly applications and any required shots. Sometimes, I'll even have shots/vaccines divided over two day period.

[EnglishJW]

Our Yorkie has had similar experiences like many of those mentioned. For him, the flea & tick collars from Preventic ultimately worked (and still work since we live in a heavily wooded area in NJ). Like KathieI's dog, our guy has a very sensitive digestive track as well. We only (and I mean ONLY) feed him Prescription Diet Z/D Canine and Prescription Diet Hypo-Treats. Any variation over the past three years (he is nine) from Preventic or Prescripton Diet has led to problems for him. We still wonder if a dog's weight and age are properly taken into account with anything put on or into it.

[NottaVillager]

Just switched to Trifexis and for some reason thought it was a chewable. The big guy kept spitting it back out so managed to get it down his throat.
That was a few days ago and no adverse reaction.
I have heard that most dogs don't like it. My wife has an ability to coax the dog to take it..but she very definitely doesn't like it! She has to be bribed with a couple of cookies afterward.

[getdul981]

I have heard that most dogs don't like it. My wife has an ability to coax the dog to take it..but she very definitely doesn't like it! She has to be bribed with a couple of cookies afterward.

I'm not familiar with Trifexis, but if it's a pill, you can smush it into a little bit of cheese, peanut butter or even a little bit of banana. These are the things we use to giv e our girls their medications. They love all three of them. There is also a product that you can buy to mask the taste. I think it's made by Snausage. We used to use Snausages to give our first dog his meds.

[mrdarcy]

My dogs use Sentinel, an oral flea and heart worm preventative, prescribed for them by their Buffalo Ridge vet. I wrap the pill in a pill pocket. They have no problems eating it and no problems using it.

Thanks for warning us about the new Frontline product.

[CFrance]

I'm not familiar with Trifexis, but if it's a pill, you can smush it into a little bit of cheese, peanut butter or even a little bit of banana. These are the things we use to giv e our girls their medications. They love all three of them. There is also a product that you can buy to mask the taste. I think it's made by Snausage. We used to use Snausages to give our first dog his meds.
Our vet switched to Trifexis, which is a heartworm/flea combo. While I'm so happy to get away from a topical, which left two greasy marks for days on our golden, I can't get him to eat the Trifexis out of hand. (He wouldn't eat the last chewable heartworm pill either.) So I smash it up and put it in his breakfast. He has no reaction to it.

But boy, does it ever smell musty. I can't imagine what's in it that makes it smell so bad. No wonder he won't eat it.

[Barefoot]

We have used Revolution for many years for fleas/heartworm/ticks, etc.
We've used it on dogs ranging in size from 4 lbs to 75 lbs, with no problems ever.
I hate giving my dogs poison every month. Hate it.
But Vets have convinced me that heartworm can be deadly and must be prevented.

[Bonanza]

Well, much to the chagrin (probably) of the posters on this thread, the only thing we give our gals is Heartguard as a heartworm preventative.

Like Bare, I have a real distaste in using any flea/tick stuff, to ward off the possibility of them having either of those. I simply am not an advocate of using these things unless we have a problem. The treatment/cures are chemicals and poisons and I hate using any of those things unless it's absolutely necessary.

If we happen to get a flea or tick problem, I will treat it at that time. I will go on to tell you that in all the years I have lived in the south (Florida, Bahamas & Louisiana since '83) I have never had a tick problem and only had a flea problem once.

[Patty55]

I found a flea on my dog, first time ever. Did Frontline, I just hate using that stuff.

Now I'm trying food grade diatomaceous earth. Just sprinkle some on when I brush her, so far so good. Haven't seen a flea in months. I'm planning on treating the yard with it too.

Still using Heartgard, mostly because I'm afraid not to. I do every other month instead of monthly. I read somewhere that from the date of bite it takes three months to cause damage, so I figure every other month should cover it. In NY I took them off it for the winter.

[getdul981]

Well, much to the chagrin (probably) of the posters on this thread, the only thing we give our gals is Heartguard as a heartworm preventative.

Like Bare, I have a real distaste in using any flea/tick stuff, to ward off the possibility of them having either of those. I simply am not an advocate of using these things unless we have a problem. The treatment/cures are chemicals and poisons and I hate using any of those things unless it's absolutely necessary.

If we happen to get a flea or tick problem, I will treat it at that time. I will go on to tell you that in all the years I have lived in the south (Florida, Bahamas & Louisiana since '83) I have never had a tick problem and only had a flea problem once.

Heartguard used to be all we used. We never had a flea or tick problem when we lived in VA. Once we moved to FL, our girls got infested with both. We tried the collars and finally wound up using Advantage Multi and they haven't had any problems (with fleas and ticks) since. We were told that the fleas and ticks most likely came from the pine needle mulch that is used around the new homes. We have also removed all that and replaced it with stones.

[elizabeth52]

I used regular Frontline on my dogs for years; however, recently the spots where the medication was applied left a large blistering sore. It broke my heart that this was the result of something I did. I went back to the vet and he suggested another medication. I have been using Advantix Plus since that time with no problems.

[CFrance]

Bonanza, do you take your dogs to a dog park? I'm wondering where the most likelihood is of picking up fleas. Is a park more likely than just your yard?

[Neal2tire]

Kids?

[Barefoot]

Kids?
I'm missing the point of your post. :confused:

[Bonanza]

Kids?



Huh?

[Bonanza]

Bonanza, do you take your dogs to a dog park? I'm wondering where the most likelihood is of picking up fleas. Is a park more likely than just your yard?

We occasionally do take our dogs to a dog park. However, since most of our topical "soil" here is sand, that's where fleas breed. I really don't think it matters whether we have them in our yard or a dog park. It's kinda like 6 of one -- half a dozen of the other -- both of which are basically the same thing.

I think some dogs are more prone to attracting fleas and some not. I had a friend who always had an ongoing problem with them. Perhaps we are simply lucky not to have them; I really don't know why.

As I've said before, I just don't believe in the indiscrimate use of any insecticide unless we have a problem -- for our pets or our house.

[BarryRX]

It's a strong insecticide. There are going to be some problems with some dogs. I think the manufacturer Merial has a money back guarantee, but I'm not sure. Glad your dogs are feeling better.

[rdhdleo]

I found a flea on my dog, first time ever. Did Frontline, I just hate using that stuff.

Now I'm trying food grade diatomaceous earth. Just sprinkle some on when I brush her, so far so good. Haven't seen a flea in months. I'm planning on treating the yard with it too.

Still using Heartgard, mostly because I'm afraid not to. I do every other month instead of monthly. I read somewhere that from the date of bite it takes three months to cause damage, so I figure every other month should cover it. In NY I took them off it for the winter.
Just and fyi, if you are skipping months of Heartguard you dog is not protected, you are taking a huge chance and yes heart worm is seen around here. Heartworm medication is meant to be given monthly and down here year round. I hope you heart worm test your dog since you are leaving the window open fort to get heart worm.

[rdhdleo]

Our vet switched to Trifexis, which is a heartworm/flea combo. While I'm so happy to get away from a topical, which left two greasy marks for days on our golden, I can't get him to eat the Trifexis out of hand. (He wouldn't eat the last chewable heartworm pill either.) So I smash it up and put it in his breakfast. He has no reaction to it.

But boy, does it ever smell musty. I can't imagine what's in it that makes it smell so bad. No wonder he won't eat it.

Just an fyi, both Trifexis and Sentinel are meant to be given with a full meal. If putting it in with their food without mushing it up doesn't work, most people have great success using Pill Pockets. My dogs love them and can't wait to get any pill I give them when I use Pill Pockets.

[rdhdleo]

Well, much to the chagrin (probably) of the posters on this thread, the only thing we give our gals is Heartguard as a heartworm preventative.

Like Bare, I have a real distaste in using any flea/tick stuff, to ward off the possibility of them having either of those. I simply am not an advocate of using these things unless we have a problem. The treatment/cures are chemicals and poisons and I hate using any of those things unless it's absolutely necessary.

If we happen to get a flea or tick problem, I will treat it at that time. I will go on to tell you that in all the years I have lived in the south (Florida, Bahamas & Louisiana since '83) I have never had a tick problem and only had a flea problem once.

You have been lucky as I have I never use the topicals, as my one dog has a reaction. I do however use Sentinal faithfully for heartworm and fleas. Never had fleas or ticks in my 12 years here. I have seen people who have had flea and or tick infestations though and you can spends hundreds of dollars to get rid of it and it can take months to do so. Just an fyi.

[Barefoot]

Still using Heartgard, mostly because I'm afraid not to. I do every other month instead of monthly. I read somewhere that from the date of bite it takes three months to cause damage, so I figure every other month should cover it. In NY I took them off it for the winter.

Before we wintered in Florida, our dogs used to get an eight-month break every winter from heartworm medication.
Now they are on it twelve months a year, and I feel guilty each month when I put Revolution on their neck because I know it's poison.
If I thought it was safe to use it every second month, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Of course the Manufacturers are going to tell pet owners they must use it monthly, they're in sales!
I wish I knew exactly how it works. Sigh. There is so much misinformation on the internet.

Maybe BarryRX can figure it out for us.

[CFrance]

Before we wintered in Florida, our dogs used to get an eight-month break every winter from heartworm medication.
Now they are on it twelve months a year, and I feel guilty each month when I put Revolution on their neck because I know it's poison.
If I thought it was safe to use it every second month, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Of course the Manufacturers are going to tell pet owners they must use it monthly, they're in sales!
I wish I knew exactly how it works. Sigh. There is so much misinformation on the internet.
Well, the manufacturers have the vets convinced, Bare. When I first took Crosby to FL as a puppy, he got a terrible flea infestation even though he had the medicine. They were having a big flea problem in Key West that year, and I was told by the vet there to dose him again. It had only been two weeks. (Didn't) I gave him one of those daily pills & cleaned out the crate and crossed my fingers.

Then last year when he was staying out by Ocala National Forest with a sitter who had a doggie door and several fenced acres for the dogs to play in, the vet here told me to put an extra dose of Avantix on him to cover the possible tick problem. (Didn't)

I wish I knew the real story on flea protection. I'd love to skip it, but 90 lbs & long hair is a lot of dog to watch for fleas on.

[Gerald]

Thank you for the information we will not use the product either

[rdhdleo]

Thank you for the information we will not use the product either

Which product are you speaking of? Yes manufacturers are out to seek their product no doubt about that, however heart worm disease is real and while not a huge problem it can and does happen, heart worm is carried by the mosquito (and yes they exist in The Villages) if your dog contracts it it can kill them and treatment to hopefully save them costs hundreds of dollars. I have seen a number of cases in my 13+ years working part time in a Vet. Ofc. I for one prefer to do what I can to keep my pet as safe as I can.

[Mr Jamie]

My 8 year old German Shepherd also had a bad reaction to the Tri Tak - she vomited for 2 days which is completely abnormal for her. She has the constitution of a goat :-)

I spoke to my Vet about this last Thursday and she contends that it is a rare side effect ( I disagree).

I am about to try NexGard (chewable) ... has anyone had any experience / feedback on this product?