I’ve been using Frontline for years. Today I found couple fleas on my dog. I applied Frontline less than 4 weeks ago so it made me wonder if I should switch. I need something that works on ticks, too.
i had used frontline for 13 yrs+ and it was excellent. In sept. i discovered it was not working and i asked my vet. she told me it had stopped working for her as well. She recommended Vectra 3D which i bought from her. she said it has worked well on her dogs. I don’t love top spot treatments but that is all that is available to work for me, so it’s a bit oily, but ok. Good Luck.
Vectra 3D does a great job for fleas and ticks.
If you don’t have cats, Advantix is a good choice too.
Just an FYI, Advantix seems to have caused a reaction in both of my dogs and my sister’s three dogs as well. The primary side effect was itchiness. Both mine also had the runs, which I’m guessing was related but I’m not sure.
They did not have any fleas that I know of before application, and were certainly not infested, so it wasn’t creepy-crawlies from dying fleas.
I know other people have had success with the product and don’t wish to lambast it. However, all it says with the product is side effects are rare, but doesn’t tell you what to look for, which makes me feel like they aren’t that interested in tracking it or telling me. I’ve used Advantage II and Comfortis w/o issue, even though with Comfortis they TELL you there may be nausea.
I’m going to try diatamachous (sp???) earth on my nine. Found it (food quality) at the local feed store.
[QUOTE=HillnDale;5692936]
Just an FYI, Advantix seems to have caused a reaction in both of my dogs and my sister’s three dogs as well. The primary side effect was itchiness. Both mine also had the runs, which I’m guessing was related but I’m not sure.
They did not have any fleas that I know of before application, and were certainly not infested, so it wasn’t creepy-crawlies from dying fleas.
I know other people have had success with the product and don’t wish to lambast it. However, all it says with the product is side effects are rare, but doesn’t tell you what to look for, which makes me feel like they aren’t that interested in tracking it or telling me. I’ve used Advantage II and Comfortis w/o issue, even though with Comfortis they TELL you there may be nausea.[/QUOTE]
Did you report the adverse side effects to your vet? The companies DO track these effects and don’t know that some may exist until they are reported. The ones listed to look for (in the product insert) are ones most commonly encountered during their testing, but of course, others are possible in a larger sample size.
Our vet’s office changed the protocol to Sentinel pill once a month and a 6 month Scalibor flea and tick collar.
With our drought, we are having more than our share of wildlife coming by, some of it testing positive for rabies.
That wild life brings more fleas and ticks than we normally have and that combination seems to be working right now.
How is Scalibor, Bluey? I just saw it yesterday. (For others: it’s a new flea/tick killing, mosquito repelling collar.)
Vectra 3D has fleas laughing at us.
Advantix doesn’t work.
Frontline (and plus) don’t work.
I’m thinking Scalibor and Sentinel would work best. If you remove the Scalibor collar (albeit briefly for showing or performance events) I would venture to guess it wouldn’t harm anything (?)
I use Revolution with great success (flea+heartworm spot on). However, it won’t cover your tick issue. I know a lot of people that just add a Preventic tick collar.
your posts aren’t encouraging.
i could stand working with a tick collar if necessary. really she only needs it when we’re out in the woods/fields, i could take it off at home.
i do need to make a decision quickly. found two more fleas this am crawling around. and my mom pointed out to me that frontline application didn’t seem to work on our cats either…
i’m tempted to try revolution but i see it’s script only so i’ll have to buy something OTC for now. i guess i may be buying another box of frontline plus to hold us over.
way too many reports of reactions to advantix for my comfort. especially since my girl has allergy issues and a heart murmur.
thanks everyone!
Revolution works great for us.
my feed store lady said they had just reformulated bio-spot for dogs and it is working well…anyone know about this? The fleas are starting to laugh at the Andvantix even…and I am WAY too scared to try Comfortis.
[QUOTE=Pancakes;5693035]
Did you report the adverse side effects to your vet? The companies DO track these effects and don’t know that some may exist until they are reported. The ones listed to look for (in the product insert) are ones most commonly encountered during their testing, but of course, others are possible in a larger sample size.[/QUOTE]
Yes ma’am/sir I did :salute icon: 
I reported is to my vet here, to Smartpak where I got it from (who took detailed info to give to their vet and gave me a refund. Gotta love Smartpak) and called Bayer.
I hope if this is a reaction to the pesticide and that if other people are experiencing it there will be information that comes with the product so you can make an informed choice. As is, the box says,“While individual sensitivities are rare…if signs persist consult a veterinarian immediately.” No mention of what the signs may be - on box OR insert - which is probably the only reason I’ve been asking around about what other people experienced and sharing mine. Because I didn’t know if I was seeing “signs” or just the manifestation of my active imagination.
Also, to the OP: Keep in mind soap is GREAT for killing fleas. It doesn’t need to be heavy duty, and it certainly doesn’t need to be flea shampoo. You could suds your pets up with something like Burt’s Bees Milk Bath (what I use) and it will address the pest load currently on your pet’s body and you could repeat as often as you like. You could follow with D.Earth which I’ve heard is helpful if you apply often and liberally. Never tried it.
Seems like Frontline is no longer doing the job just about everywhere. I saw it in Hawaii first. Those fat and happy paradise fleas just laughed at it.
[QUOTE=mroades;5693738]
my feed store lady said they had just reformulated bio-spot for dogs and it is working well…anyone know about this? The fleas are starting to laugh at the Andvantix even…and I am WAY too scared to try Comfortis.[/QUOTE]
No way would I ever apply Bio Spot to my dogs, even if it is reformulated. The only info you can get on their website (www.biospot.com) is that it contains an IGR (Insect growth regulator). So does Frontline Plus.
I generally don’t support companies that do not list the ingredients of their products on their websites. Like Bio Spot.
Bio Spot has a reputation of local skin reactions, tremors - all sorts of nasty side effects.
FWIW, Merial lists the active ingredient for Frontline: “When you apply FRONTLINE, fipronil, the active ingredient, is stored in the oil glands under your pet’s skin. It is then distributed continuously to the skin and hair of your pet through the hair follicles.”
What makes you so afraid to try Comfortis?
i’m going to give her a bath today. she’s due for it anyway. she gets one every week. maybe that’s why frontline wears off so fast?
she’s an allergy prone white english bull terrier. she has a perpetual skin condition in her girlie parts which requires daily wipe downs and applications of diaper rash creams. when i read some of those side effect warnings i become paralyzed. i realize why the companies do it and that statistically chances of my dog having a reaction is small but sticking with the poison we know seems much more comforting than trying something new…
Frontline hasn’t worked for me in years. I switched to Advantix, which has been working pretty well. I have friends that have used Comfortis on their small terriers with no issues.
[QUOTE=marta;5693860]
i’m going to give her a bath today. she’s due for it anyway. she gets one every week. maybe that’s why frontline wears off so fast?
she’s an allergy prone white english bull terrier. she has a perpetual skin condition in her girlie parts which requires daily wipe downs and applications of diaper rash creams. when i read some of those side effect warnings i become paralyzed. i realize why the companies do it and that statistically chances of my dog having a reaction is small but sticking with the poison we know seems much more comforting than trying something new…[/QUOTE]
If you have a flea issue, Comfortis is by far the best. And yes, you are removing some of the efficacy of Frontline by bathing your dog weekly. You won’t have that problem with Comfortis.
I guess if it were my dog, I’d be more concerned about all of the allergy issues which are probably partially related to fleas making my dog miserable moreso than potential (rare) side effects. Comfortis’ most common side effect is temporary vomiting, which can be avoided by giving it on a full stomach or even with an anti-nausea pill (cerenia).
Sticking with the stuff you know isn’t working. Why keep using it?
I dunno, it doesn’t make any sense to me.
[QUOTE=HydroPHILE;5693343]
How is Scalibor, Bluey? I just saw it yesterday. (For others: it’s a new flea/tick killing, mosquito repelling collar.)
Vectra 3D has fleas laughing at us.
Advantix doesn’t work.
Frontline (and plus) don’t work.
I’m thinking Scalibor and Sentinel would work best. If you remove the Scalibor collar (albeit briefly for showing or performance events) I would venture to guess it wouldn’t harm anything (?)[/QUOTE]
Don’t know yet, just got it.
Our vet just said that is best now, although we don’t have many bugs with this drought.
I always take any collars at night and it has never seemed to matter, still no fleas around.
Frontline stopped working for me. I’m using a combination of Advantage topical and Program pills. Since I have a farm, my dogs are exposed to fleas that might be carried on wildlife-like the woodchucks we can’t seem to totally get rid of near the hay barn! The Program breaks the life cycle of fleas so if any do get brought in the house, they won’t be reproducing. This is my second year using these two, and it’s working great.
