Advantage or Advantix for dogs

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[Barefoot]

Bare, can you share?

OK CFrance, I'll give it a try. I didn't post the information about the online websites where I buy pet meds because I thought perhaps we weren't allowed to do that on TOTV. I'll try now.

We were using 1800-PetMeds® - Huge Savings and The Best Guarantee (http://www.1800petmeds.com). I liked them very much. Excellent customer service and marketing. They would contact our Vet directly for the prescription for the heartworm meds.

We recently switched to Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products (http://www.drsfostersmith.com). A friend recommended it and the prices are lower than 1800petmeds. I recently placed a "test run" order for glucosamine for Biggins which works great for his arthritis, sweet potato dog treats for Lollipop which works well for her food allergies, and a few other things. Drsfostersmith offer a lot of their own products at less money, and so far, they seem to be excellent.

All dogs still need to have a yearly blood test at their Vets when they have the annual physical. That's when our Vet writes the prescription for Heartworm medication. And upon request by the online company, the Vet's office faxes the prescription. I don't need to be involved, the online company deals directly with the Vet's office.

We use Revolution for fleas, ticks and heartworm. It's a liquid that you put on their back each month. We find it does a good job. We don't like using chemicals on our dogs every month, no-one does. But it's much better than the possibility of heart worm. Our dogs used to get a break from November until May when we spent winters in Canada, and they didn't need meds in the winter. Now that we're wintering in Florida, they need to be on heartworm meds 12 months a year.

Heartworm seems to be quite prevalent in Florida. Of course there are a lot of mosquitos. Ticks are most prevalent in the north-east US, but they can be anywhere. One of my dogs got ticks when I was living in southern California. We always check our dogs after we've had an outing in the woods.

[CFrance]

OK CFrance, I'll give it a try. I didn't post the information about the online websites where I buy pet meds because I thought perhaps we weren't allowed to do that on TOTV. I'll try now.

We were using 1800-PetMeds® - Huge Savings and The Best Guarantee (http://www.1800petmeds.com). I liked them very much. Excellent customer service and marketing. They would contact our Vet directly for the prescription for the heartworm meds.

We recently switched to Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products (http://www.drsfostersmith.com). A friend recommended it and the prices are lower than 1800petmeds. I recently placed a "test run" order for glucosamine for Biggins which works great for his arthritis, sweet potato dog treats for Lollipop which works well for her food allergies, and a few other things. Drsfostersmith offer a lot of their own products at less money, and so far, they seem to be excellent.

All dogs still need to have a yearly blood test at their Vets when they have the annual physical. That's when our Vet writes the prescription for Heartworm medication. And upon request by the online company, the Vet's office faxes the prescription. I don't need to be involved, the online company deals directly with the Vet's office.

We use Revolution for fleas, ticks and heartworm. It's a liquid that you put on their back each month. We find it does a good job. We don't like using chemicals on our dogs every month, no-one does. But it's much better than the possibility of heart worm. Our dogs used to get a break from November until May when we spent winters in Canada, and they didn't need meds in the winter. Now that we're wintering in Florida, they need to be on heartworm meds 12 months a year.

Heartworm seems to be quite prevalent in Florida. Of course there are a lot of mosquitos. Ticks are most prevalent in the north-east US, but they can be anywhere. One of my dogs got ticks when I was living in southern California. We always check our dogs after we've had an outing in the woods.


Thanks. I've been getting their catalog for years but never knew they discunted prices. I'll pay more attention now. I see they have Trifexis heartworm/flea and tick prevention.

[gustavo]

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.

Agree, our dog is a small dog, easier to monitor. I was not trying to inflame or guilt trip anyone. If you look at the active ingredient of these medications they are poisons, the same stuff in the big bags you apply to the lawn with a caution to keep the pets away.

I was just giving you another point of view.

[Barefoot]

If you look at the active ingredient of these medications they are poisons, the same stuff in the big bags you apply to the lawn with a caution to keep the pets away.

I don't think any of us like giving our dogs monthly heartworm medications. I sure don't. But heartworm disease is prevalent in Florida and can be deadly.

Gustavo, if you know another "natural" way to prevent heartworm, please share.

[CFrance]

Agree, our dog is a small dog, easier to monitor. I was not trying to inflame or guilt trip anyone. If you look at the active ingredient of these medications they are poisons, the same stuff in the big bags you apply to the lawn with a caution to keep the pets away.

I was just giving you another point of view.

I appreciate your point of view. And perhaps I've been brainwashed by the pet med companies and our vets. But there it is, and I'm afraid to go the non-med route again.

[echo11]

We have switched to Sentinel for heartworm, tick and flea prevention. We used to use Interceptor, but was discontinued. Seems Sentinel is their replacement. We did try Trifexis for almost a year. We had issues with our dog (20 lbs), every few months, throwing it up within a few hours. Also, he was uncomfortable for the day he took it. He is doing better on the Sentinel. We also had issues with Advantix II. Our dog would try to bite at the application site for days. It appeared to be too strong or caustic for him. We now have switched back to Frontline for the ticks. He has long hair and we do not want a tick collar on him. Both products that we use have flea protection. We use them 2 weeks apart.
They are all poison, but the alternative of possible disease is worse- in my opinion.

[gustavo]

I don't think any of us like giving our dogs monthly heartworm medications. I sure don't. But heartworm disease is prevalent in Florida and can be deadly.

Gustavo, if you know another "natural" way to prevent heartworm, please share.

My comments were directed towards the flea, tick medicines.

I still use the new "effective" heart worm pill but really don't like it. Especially since my vet told me that they can still get heart worm even when using the monthly pill.

[gustavo]

We have switched to Sentinel for heartworm, tick and flea prevention. We used to use Interceptor, but was discontinued. Seems Sentinel is their replacement. We did try Trifexis for almost a year. We had issues with our dog (20 lbs), every few months, throwing it up within a few hours. Also, he was uncomfortable for the day he took it. He is doing better on the Sentinel. We also had issues with Advantix II. Our dog would try to bite at the application site for days. It appeared to be too strong or caustic for him. We now have switched back to Frontline for the ticks. He has long hair and we do not want a tick collar on him. Both products that we use have flea protection. We use them 2 weeks apart.
They are all poison, but the alternative of possible disease is worse- in my opinion.

Because of the issues you mentioned, I'd prefer to forego the throwing up and caustic reactions and instead inspect the dog at least every other day for fleas and ticks. It's not really that much trouble if you pet the dog daily you can incorporate the "checking out for crawlers" into the routine. Like I said earlier, if you do see the first sign of a few crawlers a quick bath with Dawn liquid makes short work of fleas.

I have even told my vet about this and although their "official" position is that the dog should get the monthly treatment, the personal response is that as long as there are no fleas/ticks that's the preferred end result and what matters.

Again, no judgement on anyone else, this is just my way, so far so good.