Tick Prevention

[Melissa]

My city is just starting to be infested with ticks, so this is all new to me. I've owned a dog all my life (37 years) and have only seen one tick which was two years ago.  I am now starting to see a lot of posts on local social media about owners finding ticks on their dogs. I've asked my vet if they think we should start using a tick preventative and she said yes.

These are the two types she recommended: 

K-9 Advantix II
Bravecto

Any thoughts about these? Suggestions? Advise?  

[Melissa]

I should have added that I couldn't find a list of possible side effects for either of these. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

We are on Cape Cod where ticks are everywhere, and we use NexGard. For us, it works significantly better than K-9 Advantix II or Frontline. I don't know anything about Bravecto. I think that some dogs have gotten upset stomachs from NexGard, but we have had no issues at all, and it's very effective. 

[Melissa]

Thank you L

[Melissa]

That is weird....it cut off my reply!  

Thanks Laurie, I'll have to inquire about NexGard.  Does it repel mosquitos as well?  We live in MOSQUITO LAND here in Northern Ontario LOL and advantix II claims to repel mosquitos as well as ticks and fleas.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I have no idea about NexGard's effectiveness against mosquitos, but we have mosquitos here, too, and as far as I know, neither of my dogs or visiting dogs have ever been bothered by them. We rarely see ticks on our dogs, and when we do, they are already dead, so it works wonders against ticks.

[Melissa]

Thank you for the information  :) 

[Amy and Annabelle]

I also use Nexgard. I live in the country with a huge deer population. Nexgard has done great in the 2 years she has been on it. She plays with the grandkids all the time, so I didn't want anything topical. Nexgard is chewable. Annabelle loves it and thinks it is a yummy treat. If you listen to the commercial, there are possible side affects, but we have not had any problems with it. 

[Melissa]

I believe one of the choices that the vet gave me is a chewable and the other is a topical.  I'm concerned about the side effects...don't want skin irritations or adverse reactions.  I know that Advantix has been around for a long time and has been improved...did a little reading, but I'm still a little nervous. 

[Star and Goldie]

I've used K9 Advantix II for a while but am considering switching to Nexgard since I have a daughter that likes to love all over Goldie. I'm worried about switching since I know she doesn't have any negative reactions to what we are used to but am wondering if using a topical with little kids is even actually safe.

[Melissa]

Thanks Star.  I haven't heard from anyone that uses the K9 Advantix, so this is helpful.  I don't have children or cats in my house, so topical part of the application doesn't concern me. I"m more worried of the possible side effects for the dog.  

[Star and Goldie]

Well now I've gotten myself all worked up. I've researched all of the options out there and there are several horror stories with each of them. Maybe my anxiety is through the roof since I just lost one of my dogs but now I have no idea what flea/tick preventive to go with either. Researching them might have been just as bad as googling symptoms- everything leads to death. :(

[Melissa]

LOL  I did the SAME thing. Sometimes Google can be a nightmare!  Have you spoken to your vet to see if it actually safe to use with children who are all over the dog?  I see my vet tonight and am going to speak to her about it.  I'll ask that question too.