Topical Flea Prevention - what is working still?

[SuckerForHorses]

Used to have the dogs on Trifexis, went from February to now without it, dogs have signs of fleas (itching, flea dirt, etc although I have not spotted a flea, I know they are there…)

Called vet - they won’t give me Trifexis because it’s been since February and they want to re-do the heartworm test. I understand but that’s not an expense I can handle right now (office visit, tests, physicals, etc for two dogs).

They tell me they can give me Comfortis which is for fleas only, but also oral tablet - but…I need to still bring in dogs for a physical.

I’m not paying $100+ to bring two perfectly healthy dogs to the vet right now.

I’m going the route of topicals but am not sure which one is the best, I know some are losing effectiveness.

Advantix?
Advantage?
Frontline?

Something else?

[wireweiners]

I think the generic front line would work for a mild flea infestation this late in the year. I have used Bravecto for some of my dogs and love it. It not only kills fleas but it gets ticks too. Its supposed to last 12 weeks but I gave my bloodhound Bravecto in late June and as late as October, the few ticks I found on her were dead and I haven’t seen any fleas.

Bravecto has few side effects. It gave Sally Mae gas but that’s all.

[jherold]

I’ve used Advantix for 2 yrs now. So far so good. Look on line for the best price.

[pezk]

I’m still using frontline plus. Works on fleas for months but on ticks for only a couple of weeks.

[Bicoastal]

Other options that do not require a rx are Capstar and Seresto.

[Dewey]

Frontline and Advantage no longer work on our fleas; we’re using Revolution now to good effect. Hope something else is in the development pipeline.

[hosspuller]

Since you have dogs (plural) … I had good results in the peak flea season using Frontline+ … Twice per month … I divided the dose between two dogs. Half dose twice a month seems to work well.

You’ll need to do the complete flea eradication regime. Bedding, house, hang out spots, etc. Otherwise you won’t break the cycle.

[Bluey]

My dog became sensitive to some of those products a few years ago, so the vet put her on one Sentinel pill a month and a new Preventic collar every two months.

She has not had any sensitivities to those, nor not a single flea, in all these years.
She is a farm dog that runs around where many rabbits play and kills rats and mice regularly, a veritable flea central for many dogs.

[Another_Poster]

Go to Tractor Supply and you can buy frontline, seresto collars, and several other things OTC. No exam fees that way!

I’m sure some feed stores probably also carry products

[gaitedincali]

[QUOTE=Dewey;8394064]
Frontline and Advantage no longer work on our fleas; we’re using Revolution now to good effect. Hope something else is in the development pipeline.[/QUOTE]

This is my experience, as well as what I’m hearing from the majority of my grooming clients. I’m seeing dogs come in crawling with fleas that got frontline/advantix a week/two weeks prior…with good owners who stay on top of things and I believe them when they say they treated.

Some success with revolution, otherwise I am recommending the pills. People seem to be having with success with those.

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=Bicoastal;8394061]
Other options that do not require a rx are Capstar and Seresto.[/QUOTE]

Yes, definitely getting a jump on them with Capstar as well.

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=hosspuller;8394070]
You’ll need to do the complete flea eradication regime. Bedding, house, hang out spots, etc. Otherwise you won’t break the cycle.[/QUOTE]

Oh yes, we sure will!

[StGermain]

I bought Activyl from Pets Megastore in Australia. It’s worked wonderfully. I buy the extra large and dose it down with a syringe.

StG

[Bluey]

We need to realize that the reason vets won’t prescribe without seeing the dog is because they are liable if the dog has a bad reaction that should have been prevented, like the incompatibility of some ivermectin products and certain breeds.

Also, any product that may kill heartworms, you are taking a chance giving that without testing first.
Prescribing without seeing and examining the dog is just not a smart way to go, for the dog’s sake, just to save some money.

May end up costing more after all, if there are problems from giving the wrong medication or dosage.

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=Bluey;8395364]
We need to realize that the reason vets won’t prescribe without seeing the dog is because they are liable if the dog has a bad reaction that should have been prevented, like the incompatibility of some ivermectin products and certain breeds.

Also, any product that may kill heartworms, you are taking a chance giving that without testing first.
Prescribing without seeing and examining the dog is just not a smart way to go, for the dog’s sake, just to save some money.

May end up costing more after all, if there are problems from giving the wrong medication or dosage.[/QUOTE]

From my OP:

Called vet - they won’t give me Trifexis because it’s been since February and they want to re-do the heartworm test. I understand but that’s not an expense I can handle right now (office visit, tests, physicals, etc for two dogs).

I know why they won’t do it and I understand why they won’t give me Trifexis - because we don’t have a current HW test done.

[SuckerForHorses]

Prescribing without seeing and examining the dog is just not a smart way to go, for the dog’s sake, just to save some money.

As for Comfortis, it only handles fleas and does not require any prior testing to prescribe, and this vet has seen both of these dogs several times for other stuff. It’s not like I’m cold-calling random vets to try to get flea meds for dogs that the vet has never seen before. This is our regular vet.

[SuckerForHorses]

I picked up Capstar and the generic Frontline Plus at Tractor Supply last night on my way home. Thanks all!

I am going to give those new collars a try come spring! I can’t remember what they were called.

[Belmont]

Capstar for 24 hr oral relief.
Bravecto for 3 month oral feal/tick relief. (prescription, will need exam)

Topical only? I would go with Activyl Tick +.

[Foxtrot_s]

I’ve not seen a flea in years on our two BT’s (in the lower mainland of BC) and that was since the carpets were all pulled up. Bedding gets washed regularly.

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=Belmont;8395539]
Capstar for 24 hr oral relief.
Bravecto for 3 month oral feal/tick relief. (prescription, will need exam)

Topical only? I would go with Activyl Tick +.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that’s the downside to Capstar is the 24 hour vs. monthly coverage, but its better than nothing. I can get Comfortis from my vet with a physical exam for each dog (not requiring heartworm test) but I am trying to avoid that at the moment since they do not “need” to see the vet for anything else. I’d like to avoid an office fee and physical exam charge for some flea pills.

We don’t have any carpet so that is helpful - the only fabric is their dog bed which I have been washing regularly and vacuuming the house daily.