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!   :)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Linda: Sentinel is for both heartworm and fleas:
http://www.amazon.com/SENTINEL-Heartworm-Flea-Flavor-Tabs/dp/B00949...

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

I do not have experience with this product, but our breeder had it on a list: http://www.wondercide.com

Curious if any others have used it!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

I've never heard of this.  Hope to hear from someone thats used it before.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Any updates on this product?

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Any updates on wondercide?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wouldn't rely on any "natural" products for fleas and ticks, and that includes Neem oil, which is what's in wondercide. There is absolutely no reliable clinical evidence that any "natural" products are effective against fleas or ticks; if there were, why would anyone in their right mind use the chemical prevents? 

In the risk/benefit equation, nothing is worse than a flea infestation or a tick-borne illness, IMO. I strongly advise sticking with the tried and true. 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Thanks, Karen. A pretty knowledgeable friend on an ALD FB group posted about wondercide and a natural collar, and that's why I looked it up and found this discussion. But I'd definitely want to err on side of least risk.
With Ripley, we used sentinel and frontline plus. I did the frontline plus through the winter here in NJ, not realizing we could take a break through coldest winter months (is this right?). I'm concerned, considering what happened to Rip, but thinking I will try the same preventatives for this new pup - at least to start and see how s/he does. If you've any other recommendations, please lmk. Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The only "knowledge" anyone can really have about flea and tick preventatives is clinical studies. Anecdotes just aren't sufficient when you're dealing with risk. 

The example I like to use is this: I never used any kind of flea preventatives with my last dog, and for 14 years, she never got fleas. So I could have posted in a forum "I use nothing and my dog never got fleas in 14 years, therefore, using nothing is an effective method of preventing fleas."

Of course, then she got fleas, as did my cat, and it took months and thousands of dollars to get them out of my house. I had to replace mattresses, that's how bad it was. I was being bitten. Numerous professional bombings of the house (talk about being exposed to chemicals) and numerous treatments of both pets. It was a nightmare. 

Never again. Because of Jack's health issues, I have discussed "natural" options for flea and tick prevents with his dermatologist and she recommended Frontline because it's been around so long and has a proven track record. Her exact words were: "This dog cannot get fleas, or you can forget everything else we've been trying to do for him." So I wouldn't dream of trying something that doesn't have a ton of science to back it up. 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Well said, and great point about anecdotal "evidence" not being reliable. I appreciate the reassurance of knowing there's years of science behind these chemicals.
Sorry to hear you went through that.
But, is taking a break from frontline plus (in the winter) recommended or not recommended? Maybe it depends on average expected temperature? We are in NJ.
Thanks again.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can only tell you that I take a break from Frontline during the hard winter months here in Chicago. When there is snow and ice on the ground, I know there's no chance of Jack getting fleas, lol. Of course, he also doesn't go to daycare or other places where there might be dogs who are carrying them around. And they can live dormant indoors for as much as a year. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We take a break in Winter also.  We are in Southern California with mild winters, but the fleas in our area still go dormant.

[Amy and Annabelle]

I have not ever heard of this product. I would have done some research on it when I was looking into what to give Annabelle if I had. There was a commercial for NexGard a month ago which is what I give her. My husband asked, isn't that what you give Annie. After hearing the side effects in the ad, he was appalled I would give that to her. He would be happy if I took a more natural approach to her flea and tick meds.