Flea & Tick Time

Dakotazeb

Dakotazeb

Well-known member
I sure this has been discussed previously on this site, but since it's that time of year I was wondering what everyone is using as a flea & tick preventative?

I have never used anything but Frontline and never had a flea or tick issue. But the cost of this stuff seems to be getting quite steep. I looked at K9 Advantix II but the cost is about the same as the Frontline Plus.

If you have 2 dogs I have found one way to save some money. Normally I would get the Frontline that is for 23-44 lb. dogs for my Brittanys. A 6-pack is $62.99. But last year I started buying the ones for 45-88 lb. dogs which cost $63.99 for a 6-pack. Only $1 more. I then split the tube of medication between my 2 dogs. It's like getting twice as much for the money.
 
Zeb- It def. is tick time i went fishing for crappie's after work yesterday walked threw the weeds and pulled two off myself when i got home! I just get my dogs the basic flea&tick collar !
 
I only use Advantix II or Frontline Plus. I try to alternate between the two incase there is a change of the fleas or ticks becoming immune to it. My vet just tells me to go with the expensive stuff that is waterproof because the cheep stuff won't prevent the flea bites which he also said contribute to hot spots...which I did NOT know.
 
Dakotazeb said:
If you have 2 dogs I have found one way to save some money. Normally I would get the Frontline that is for 23-44 lb. dogs for my Brittanys. A 6-pack is $62.99. But last year I started buying the ones for 45-88 lb. dogs which cost $63.99 for a 6-pack. Only $1 more. I then split the tube of medication between my 2 dogs. It's like getting twice as much for the money.
Click to expand...

1+ to Frontline Plus and to DZ's plan to split the dose, if you have some smaller dogs. I do the same with my Cockers.

Frontline will not wash off and lose effectiveness with the first swim, as all of the off brands seem to do. I do add a Preventic collar to my hounds when we go to the Western UP, which is Grouse Central but is also Tick Central.:mad:

NB
 
I have always used frontline and have been happy with it. I do alot of grouse hunting in northern MN. I usually can't walk ten feet from the truck without pulling a tick off but my dogs have never had a problem.
 
I never use a "labeled" flea or tick application. I use Ivermectin for worming and never have a flea or tick. I also treat my yard with liquid Sevin each year.
 
I use Ivermec as well ( liquid cattle), just a caution though it will cause nervous system collapse in anything with collie blood, so don't treat the farm dogs! I think it works on fleas as well. The local brown dog ticks and Lonestars seem to be immune to all treatment that won't kill the dog. But we use collars and cheap hartz mountain flea and tick soap every 7 days, and that works, but labor intensive. Better than having the dogs who sleep on the bed transfer the creepers to me though!
 
Fleas are not a problem where I live, ticks aren't especially bad either, but I still do the annual Lyme vaccination. I use a Preventic collar for ticks and it works extremely well. Keeps them from attaching and I have yet to pull one off when they are wearing them. lasts 3 months.
 
oldandnew said:
I use Ivermec as well ( liquid cattle), just a caution though it will cause nervous system collapse in anything with collie blood, so don't treat the farm dogs! I think it works on fleas as well. The local brown dog ticks and Lonestars seem to be immune to all treatment that won't kill the dog. But we use collars and cheap hartz mountain flea and tick soap every 7 days, and that works, but labor intensive. Better than having the dogs who sleep on the bed transfer the creepers to me though!
Click to expand...

I was planning on using ivermectin as a heart worm preventer this year. Does it really help for ticks too?

Has anyone had any luck with any natural tick preventatives? I have a little boy that thinks my dogs are playgrounds and I hate to put the Frontline poisons on the dogs.

A vet told me a couple years ago that she had seen a study that Frontline reduces a dog's natural life expectancy because it destroys their kidneys. I have been trying to find out the source for awhile, but I can' find it to confirm.
 
Flea-tick and mosquitoes

Have not had a problem with flea's or ticks (Minneapolis area) however, my dog did contract heart worm three years ago.

At the time I didn't medicate year-round...I do Now!! $750 treatment at the U Of M Hospital and the risk of the dog getting fatally infected made me a believer in 12 month protection.

jon
 
jonnyB said:
Have not had a problem with flea's or ticks (Minneapolis area) however, my dog did contract heart worm three years ago.

At the time I didn't medicate year-round...I do Now!! $750 treatment at the U Of M Hospital and the risk of the dog getting fatally infected made me a believer in 12 month protection.

jon
Click to expand...

Did the dog get heartworm in the winter?
 
I use tri heart for the heart worm, and do a lymes shot. I shave the dogs and pick tics. 99% of the time I find them before they bite. They seem to stick to the head and ears. I keep the liquid doses off, it seems to efect the nose on the dogs for me. And they are in the house so I can't stand the smell. I picked a couple off the other day too. I used to use front line, advantec, and a couple others and still got tics. It killed them more but plenty still bit in. I don't feel I have any more trouble without. I have never had a flea problem, actualy never a flea ever. I have heard of garlic being given and working. Not sure if it's valid though. You can still get lymes with a shot as well. If you see any sign just treat them for it. Doxycyclene I think, and now they say moxi works too I guess. Talk to the vet. Treating the yard does help a bunch.
 
Heartworm...

Not sure when he was infected - but it was over the winter, but could have been very late fall. Had stopped the medication in December.

Go figure - hard and expensive lesson.
 
I use Ivermwectin and not a heartworm or tick ever and as a rule never a flea unless i bring them home on a new dog
 
Flea and Tick

Hi, my wife is a veterinary technician and had a a few suggestions. She said that splitting the dose can be difficult to insure that the dog is getting the appropriate dose. She wouldnt recommend that. There is another product out on the market called vectra 3d. It is very similar to advantix:) but she has found it to be a couple dollars cheaper. It does fleas ticks and mosquitos and is not labeled for black flies but it does help repel them. They also make preventic collars which work great in conjuction with fl or vectra. This adds for extra repelancy. Just a few suggestions. Hope this helps.
 
Ticks are awful here in Northwest Missouri, seem to be even worse this year. There is a new product called Pet Armor Plus, it is supposed to be the same ingredients as Frontline but 1/2 the cost. Don't know much about the product but that just saw it advertised the other day for the first time. I use Hearthgaurd for heartworm each month and monthly flea and tick treatment as well. A couple years ago the local FFA did a "flea dip" fundraiser where they washed peoples dogs with a shampoo treatment for a donation not sure what they used but seemed to be pretty effective and was also a creative fundraiser and good way to help out their organization.

www.tallgrassshorthairs.com
 
Gove County Britts said:
I use Ivermwectin and not a heartworm or tick ever and as a rule never a flea unless i bring them home on a new dog
Click to expand...

Thats what I have used for 30 years. I delute with propylene glycol 10:1 ratio.
Works great for ear problems (mites) as well.:cheers:
 
Last edited:
I use Ivermectin as a heartworm preventative every month and am constantly battling ticks. It's nuts.

How are you guys using Ivermectin to prevent ticks?

The ticks are especially bad this year. I run every day in pasture ground no less, and have picked 10 plus ticks off of a dog. It's ridiculous.

I've seen the Pet Armour Plus, and probably will buy it and split down the dosage.
 
One more tip.

A buddy of mine works horses and is in the field alot.
At the beginning of tick season, he will take a flea and tick collar and put it around his boots. At the end of the season, he takes it off.

Swears by it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top