need new flea medication asap!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Hi All,

I was just wondering what alternatives there are for flea medication because we want to stop using topical medication that you squeeze onto their backs.  We are considering Sentinel but need to have heart worm testing and unfortunately we can't get to the vet until next month.

Are there anything out there else besides Sentinel and Comfortis?  Maybe natural remedies?  I need something safe to be around since we are expecting.

thank you all ahead of time!   :)

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

What is dangerous about NexGard? I use that product for both of my dogs, and haven't had any issues. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

The ad says it can cause vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite and diarrhea. I have never had a problem with it either. Annabelle had a loss of appetite a month ago, but it wasn't from her Nexgard. She is back to her old self now. The ad came on during that time though, and he was worried it was the Nexgard making her sick. Her vet ruled it out. I think my husband feels uneasy about the whole pesticide thing anyway. I told him if it was ever determined that it was making her sick, I would use something else. But my concern for the diseases she could get from not being protected, are a far greater risk than the possible side effects.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Have you ever read the back of a Tylenol bottle or ANY over the counter drug? It's enough, sometimes, for me to say the hell with it, I'll stay sick! Drug companies have to cover their butts with warnings....and as in anything, any drug can cause problems with SOME dogs. If the dog doesn't! Have the problem initially, it's doubtful it will cause problems at all. If taking a drug makes you nervous, then there are millions others to try. Enzo was on Trifexis for over a year...never had any problems. But their were reports of dogs dying . I figured why even chance it, since so many other alternatives were out there, even tho she never a any problems. We went with Revolution and have been happy ever since.. Like you, I hate putting chemicals into her system, but it is the lesser of two evils.

[Nancy & Echo]

Have you ever read the back of a Tylenol bottle or ANY over the counter drug? It's enough, sometimes, for me to say the hell with it, I'll stay sick! Drug companies have to cover their butts with warnings....and as in anything, any drug can cause problems with SOME dogs

Hear, hear!  Companies have to report all possible adverse reactions to cover themselves.  Any medication, and any food can have adverse reactions.  You can die from an overdose of water http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-drinking...  It is extremely rare for a medication to cause an adverse reaction in ALL recipients.  The proper question to ask is how often does this happen, and in what population?  (Sometimes some adverse effects happen  more often in certain populations.)  Are you going to stop buying home fire insurance because your house may not burn down next year?  (Chances are that it won't burn down.)

For any treatment, you need to balance the risks and benefits. There are no perfect solutions. There are no perfect drugs (very effective, cheap, easy to use, no adverse effects.)  Unlike in the, say, 1940s, we don't have 'wonder drugs'. Creatures (including insects, parasites, bacteria, etc) try to adapt to population pressure and we get resistance.

I'm certainly going to use prevention for my dog for these creatures. 

[Adina P]

Congratulations Joanna!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Sorry to confuse things - I think Joanna was expecting back in 2014 when this discussion first posted. I 'revived' it after a search on wondercide, as I was curious if there would be any updated info. Her baby must be ~ 1-1/2 yr old now, lol! ;)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Here in Ireland I have another dilemma whilst not as important as a pregnancy (congrats) it throws up some queries. I worm my boys with Milbemax tablets every three months which is an all round wormer. Then I have to choose between a topical called Advocate ( a treatment for fleas and their larvae, roundworm, hookworm, lungworm/ heartworm and ear mites in dogs) or one that is for fleas and ticks. for example Advantix.  There isn't one that covers lungworm which is becoming a thing here and ticks so I'm forced to choose. I tend to switch between them but it's a conundrum. I have yet to see s tick or a flea or a worm and I want to keep it that way Lol

[Patty, Duffy & Oliver]

My sister who had Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (long story how she developed it but she passed away from complications) Anyway, during that time, none of us could use topical flea meds on our pets or she couldn't come around. She had a miniature poodle. What she did was to dilute Skin So Soft on a washcloth and wipe her poodle down when he went outside and then again when he came inside. Yes it is a bit oily but not real bad when diluted. She did more frequent baths and used a combination of Boric Acid and salt sprinkled on the carpet 10-15 min before she vacuumed. It really helped but that was all she could use.  My nephew won't even sell Trifexis at his vet hospital. He's seen too many illnesses related or suspicioned to be related to the drug and won't take the chance anymore. He doesn't sell any oral meds for fleas/ticks. I asked him about using Trifexis and his answer was "how did I feel about playing Russian Roulette".  Some dogs do fine on it and others depending on how many years they have been on it can develope problems. I use the topical only. I would try the Sorresto flea collar but living on the river with the dogs swimming everyday it wouldn't last long and it is expensive. I don't think it's recomended around pregnancy but I'd ask my OBGYN. There are herbal collars like Petguard Herbal Collars but I've never tried them.  Oh.. and congratulations on the baby!! :)

Interesting.. I just found this on Amazon and it seems to have good ratings. Anyone ever tried this? Karen have you heard anything about this natural collar?  Wonder if it works.  http://www.amazon.com/Baltic-Secret-Prevention-Authentic-Effectiven...