Flea and tick protection

EJHUNTL · May 15, 2016

When we lived in Alberta we didn't use anything for our shelties and never ever saw a tick. Here in Ontario, our house is next to a Provincial Park where
there are deer and lots of ticks. I used Revolution for the last 2 years and it was not uncommon for me to pull half a dozen off her after a walk and also to find one or two that had attached.
They mostly ended up on her face, ears and in her ruff, but also on her legs. Since I started with the Advantix this year - I have yet to find one on her. We're having a cooler than typical
spring so I'm not a convert yet, but so far it seems to be outperforming the Revolution. Heartworm medication is also not necessary in western Canada.

Eva

SKNerissa · May 15, 2016

Bradt9881 said:
Whats your opinion on the best product to use in breeding bitches?

I'm not sure about the others but the safety of Revolution has been established for breeding males as well as pregnant and lactating bitches and puppies over 6 weeks old. Perhaps the other posters have more info on the other products?

SKNerissa · May 15, 2016

EJHUNTL said:
When we lived in Alberta we didn't use anything for our shelties and never ever saw a tick. Here in Ontario, our house is next to a Provincial Park where
there are deer and lots of ticks. I used Revolution for the last 2 years and it was not uncommon for me to pull half a dozen off her after a walk and also to find one or two that had attached.
They mostly ended up on her face, ears and in her ruff, but also on her legs. Since I started with the Advantix this year - I have yet to find one on her. We're having a cooler than typical
spring so I'm not a convert yet, but so far it seems to be outperforming the Revolution. Heartworm medication is also not necessary in western Canada.

Eva

Glad to hear your dog seems to be getting the
protection it needs based on where you live

As for Western Canada, heartworm is present in the South Okanagan region where we frequently visit (we live in the Central Okanagan, which is just a 45 minute drive away) so while most areas in BC are considered low risk for heartworm the area where my dog frequents is, unfortunately, one of the exceptions to the statement that heartworm prevention isn't needed in Western Canada. Manitoba and particularly Winnipeg is another hot spot for heartworm in Western Canada.

Our other reason for choosing Revolution is that we frequently travel to the Fraser Valley and Vancouver areas where fleas are a huge problem. I also like that it is effective against roundworm, hookworm, ear mites, lice, mange and, according to our vet and experience, ticks.

Ann · May 15, 2016

Bradt9881 said:
Whats your opinion on the best product to use in breeding bitches?

My vet advised against using any commercial product when they're pregnant, although I know some people do. I just used my apple cider vinegar/water mixture on her and fortunately that kept her bug-free. There's a new natural product called Wondercide made from cedar oil which is the same thing I have our lawn treated with and really takes care of ticks and fleas well. They make it in 3 formulas...plain cedar, cedar/lemongrass, and cedar/rosemary. I'd stay away from the rosemary for a breeding bitch and I found the other scents VERY strong but my dogs didn't mind them. I don't know if it's OK for pregnant girls though...you might check with them.
https://www.wondercide.com/sprays-for-dogs-cats/

Cubby2014 · May 16, 2016

EJHUNTL said:
Since I started with the Advantix this year - I have yet to find one on her. Eva

Watch the Advantix. Apparently, there has been a study linking this rather strongly to gallbladder mucocele formation in shelties (dang that bane of our existence!). That being said, I used Advantix on Shay for a couple years (shepherd), Melli for a year (seems fine), and Cubby for a year (seems fine though the last dose or two he itched a lot) and then I went mostly natural.

Cleo2014 · May 16, 2016

I am staying away from Revolution, Advantage Mulit, and Advantix. Advantage mulit is what Cleo was taking and I am now switching. On other information on Dr Foster and Smiths website it states this:

What should I discuss with my veterinarian while considering Advantage Multi?
Talk to your veterinarian about the heartworm testing that is recommended before starting your dog on a heartworm prevention program.

Collies or other herding breeds may have a severe reaction to Advantage Multi if they ingest the product. If your dog is one of these breeds, and your veterinarian has prescribed Advantage Multi, observe your pet closely for at least 30 minutes to ensure your dog does not lick the site of application. Also observe for depression, weakness, staggering, dilated pupils, trembling, panting, or coma. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see these signs.

Revolution has something similar:

What should I discuss with my veterinarian while considering Revolution?
Talk to your veterinarian about the heartworm testing that is recommended before starting your pet on a heartworm prevention program.

Collies or other herding breeds may have a reaction to selamectin if given over the recommended heartworm prevention dose. If your dog is one of these breeds, and your veterinarian has prescribed Revolution, observe your pet for at least 8 hours after giving the medication for weakness, staggering, dilated pupils, trembling, drooling, or pressing the head against a wall. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see these signs.

Advantage and Advantix both are showing a strong link to gallbladder disease as well... This is all enough to keep me away from those three. I am switching to the Seresto collar instead. I have been hearing a lot of good things about it and it seems much safer for Cleo in the long run.

The Quahog · May 16, 2016

Cleo2014 said:
Advantage and Advantix both are showing a strong link to gallbladder disease as well... This is all enough to keep me away from those three. I am switching to the Seresto collar instead. I have been hearing a lot of good things about it and it seems much safer for Cleo in the long run.

Without expressing an opinion on the validity of those concerns, if they DO concern you then that may not be the best alternative.
The Seresto collar contains the same main active ingredient as Advantix and Advantage - it is basically 8 tubes of Advantix in a polymer that slowly releases over 8 months.

Hanne · May 17, 2016

It was not something I would choose
http://fixfleas.com/seresto-flea-collar-dogs/

My concern is when this is in the coat, dog licks the fur, we pet the dog - then we'll also get it - what about the children dare not think of it. :cry:

Cleo2014 · May 17, 2016

The Quahog said:
Without expressing an opinion on the validity of those concerns, if they DO concern you then that may not be the best alternative.
The Seresto collar contains the same main active ingredient as Advantix and Advantage - it is basically 8 tubes of Advantix in a polymer that slowly releases over 8 months.

Thank you Quahog. I did not see that before on the website I was looking at. I just went back and dug further and they do indeed have the same ingredients. Looks like I will be looking into something else then.

I am wanting to get interceptor for heartworm prevention. What would you recommend for a flea prevention to go along with it that does not have the active ingredients imidacloprid and selamectin? I want something that is safe and effective.

The Quahog · May 17, 2016

Cleo2014 said:
What would you recommend for a flea prevention to go along with it that does not have the active ingredients imidacloprid and selamectin? I want something that is safe and effective.

Check out the initial post of this thread. Except for Seresto, none of the recommended products have those ingredients.