TICKS

[Joanie]

Hi Everyone :)

 

So with the warm weather now making an appearance Lani and I will be outside a lot more.  But the warm weather also brings the ticks and I unfortunately found one crawling on Lani yesterday and freaked out.  I'm trying to keep her away from the woods and just have her walk on the grass and the sidewalks, but she loves to follow her sister and her sister loves the woods.  Anyhow, Lani is on Frontline and she is in the midst of getting her Lyme Vaccine.  So she should be ok if she got bit by a tick, but I don't want to take chances. 

 

My question is, with doodles hair being SO THICK and SO ABUNDENT how can I effectively look for ticks on her besides trying to hold Lani on my lap while she squirms and I try to look through her hair to no avail (it's like looking for a needle in a haystack)?  Are the Preventive collars better than Frontline for tick pervention?

 

Thanks :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

The vaccine unfortunately isn't 100%. I find the best time to find ticks is right after the dogs come in and the ticks, which can be tiny, are superficial. I purposely got light doodles to help me find ticks! Often around the head you can spot a very dark tiny tick. I use Frontline but I have found attached ticks.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I would think that the frontline would be better than the collars??

Even though ours are on frontline we know there's still a possibilty so be careful. If she squirms like ours did, try to put her up on a table or something. We finally bought a grooming table and it's helped a lot.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We use Frontline which my Vet prefers to any of the preventative collars (she's not a fan).  I keep my guys coats trimmed pretty short especially during tick season to make it easier, and I run my hands all over them whenever they've been out in a wooded or high grass area.  Even with the Frontline, I've removed many ticks from their coats.  I know here in the Northeast they're predicting a very bad tick season because of the mild Winter.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have already had a tick on Vern this season. It is much easier to spot a tick on him than on Fudge. I also had one crawling on me after a walk in the woods. I just run my hands along their bodies when we are done walking. I used Frontline and then the doctor searched us to Certifect (made by the same makers of Frontline). Certifect is supposed to kill fleas and ticks faster than the Frontline, but I cannot stand the smell and am going back to Frontline. Unfortunately, dogs attract ticks. They gross me out, too.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

I have never heard of Certifect..has anyone used this? I will check it out!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

We use Frontline +, however Daisy's new vet recommended something else (can't remember what). Any who, the Vet said to stick with what works so I am. When I went to get more from a low cost Vet office they no longer carry Frontline due to the fact that so many people were complaining it didn't work. I am worried about this season for sure.

Her coat is soooooo thick, I can't imagine finding one on her or even feeling one. Ugh, scares me - yuck.

[L.M.]

I think the best option is to keep their coats short in the summer.  We do not use Frontline or any topical medicines like it for various reasons.....  We do have them vaccinated for Lyme....For the most part though, checking them when coming in and keeping their hair short (in my opinion) is really the only way to find those annoying ticks.   

[Gail and Bailey]

I used Certifect on my 8 month old goldendoodle and she had a bad reaction. She got very lethargic and did not return to normal for 3 days! We live in southern Indiana and I am worried about the ticks this season as well!  I am trying to figure out what I will do for the rest of the tick season because I do not want to put Certifect on her again!  I will cut her hair short and check her after each walk but those deer ticks can be so small that they are imposible to see!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Gail, I felt like Vern and Fudge were a little lethargic, too, after I used Certifect. Plus, I cannot stand the smell and it stayed on them for days. I am going back to Frontline Plus.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm still using it but I don't think it's that effective and I the toluene, I think it is.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, Are you using the Certifect or the Frontline?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sorry, I meant Frontline.