SPRING IS COMING! - Danger and a Warning!!! - Let the Debate Begin, Again

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Read this article from http://www.alternet.org/ about pyrethroids, permethrin and deltamethrin, flea and tick products and their dangers to our pets:

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/123420/pesticides_in_pet_pro...

Last Spring, Ginger had a reaction problem with Advanix and I have read some people had reactions to Frontline. There were even huge discussions here on DK about Frontline not working, last year.

So, what should we do about the fleas and ticks of Spring?

Here in NJ, I never have a problem with fleas but the ticks are awful. I have used Citronella Spray and Castor & Pollux's Play Dead Collars. They smell great and keep flies and mosquitos away, but the ticks laugh at the smell.

What is everyone's recommendations for tick control?

[Stella]

We live in southern ontario and we get Sentinel tablets from the vet to use once a month throughout the summer, it is supposed to protect against heartworm, other kinds of worms, and fleas. I don't know about ticks though. We used it all last summer and had no problems at all with reactions to the medication... and no fleas!!!

Oops, this reply was supposed to be to Debbie, but it came out in the wrong place!!

[fergie11]

I Frontlined Fergie every month last year and I sure did find a tick on her last fall. So it does happen.

[Adina P]

Frontline doesn't repel ticks it just prevents them from latching on long enough to transmit disease (supposedly).

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Frontline Plus is the only one of their products that is effective against ticks.

[Marcy and Cocoa]

Hi all -

We are in NJ and the area is swarming with ticks. Cocoa runs with the local dogs every morning in an large field with adjacent woods and brambles - great exercise and fun for the dogs, but tick heaven! The last several days I have found a number of ticks after each outing - runs, walks. We are using Frontline Plus so hopefully the ticks are not attaching (I haven't found one), but as Lynn has said, if you find them crawling on the fur, they are likely in the house, on bedding, etc. I have been washing bedding regularly, but there is only so much you can do with all the soft surfaces in the house. I also don't have a lot of confidence that I am finding all of the ticks parading over Cocoa's coat! Has anyone found anything that can be used in conjunction with the Frontline that works as a repellent so the ticks stay away or jump off??? I am itchy just thinking about what is getting on me every time I hug Cocoa!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am trying a product from Cedarcide and got some to spray in the yard later on too. I haven't used it regularly since I got it several weeks ago because I don't like the smell. I thought it would smell like cedar bedding but it has an undertone? that I don't like. I have already found small ticks on Luca's fur here in north Jersey but none attached so far. I do use Frontline. Will let you know results. I did find one tick crawling on my arm.

[Dori]

We currently use Advantix on Teddy (is there a difference between this and Frontline? We've used both - Advantix just had a better weight range for his 45 pounds) - and last evening I (yes - as in me) got a tic - the first time in my life. I think what happened is we live in an open meadowy area (California) - we keep our fields mowed but there are no fences and there are high grasses nearby. I think it hitched a ride on his fur and then transferred to my sweater - and then attached to me when I was driving home from basketball practice. It hurt! My husband wasn't home so my wonderful neighbor took it out. So they don't seem to attach to Teddy - but hitch a ride and then attach to me - not happy!

[Marcy and Cocoa]

I feel like we humans should be using Frontline or Advantix on the nape of our necks!! Only kidding - I think ...

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

Have you ever petted your animals after treating them.... and then for some unknown reason you stick your hand in your mouth??? Tastes Great! lol
I use Frontline Plus. Only for spring/summer. Payton (ND) is highly allergic to fleas.My Vets wants me to treat year round because of it. It is use Frontline or put Payton on steroids and cortisone for 10 days. I choose Frontline Plus. My Cats also do not go outside( Nope,I do not have mousers) so we have not had a flea issue in years.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Anyone know anything about 'Comfortis' - chewable tables for 'proctecting your dogs from fleas'?

We also live in NJ - I used 'Revolution' last year after I found live ticks on Smanatha while using 'Frontline Plus'. I didn't find any other live ticks (or dead for that matter) and we had no fleas. I am still using it and until someone has info as to why I shouldn't then 'Revolution' it is for us.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Revolution is not approved to work on the deer tick. That's the one that spreads Lyme Disease. And Comfortis says for fleas but does not say works for ticks. I have a lot of deer ticks but never have fleas. I guess I need to go back to the Frontline Plus this year.

[Maya]

Cassie takes Sentinel once a month, and I thought that was that, nothing else needed. Now I am reading these posts here, and you guys are scaring me! Anybody else's doggie on Sentinel? Does it cover ticks, too?

Here's what I found online about it:

Delicious, once-a-month prescription medication prevents heartworm disease and flea populations in dogs and puppies. Sentinel Flavor Tabs kill the immature form of the heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). They also control adult hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum), and remove and control roundworms (ascarids - Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina) and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis). In addition, Sentinel Flavor Tabs break the flea life cycle.

Sentinel Flavor Tabs contain: Milbemycin Oxime, which interferes with invertebrate neurotransmission eliminating the tissue stage of the heartworm larvae and the adult stage of hookworm, roundworm and whipworm, and Lufenuron, an insect development inhibitor, which breaks the flea life cycle by inhibiting egg development.

Available in a tasty, beef-flavored tablet. Includes monthly reminder stickers to place on your calendar following the date of the first dose. For dogs and puppies over 4 weeks of age weighing more than 2 pounds. Safe to use in pregnant and nursing dogs.