Hi!

What do others use for the prevention of the above? my dog is flea free, and I want to keep it that way! I've seen various products - Frontline spot on ( which only kills fleas ) and Programme ( which prevents both ) - both only available from vets. Is there anything else which does both and works?????

I thought only vet prescribed ones proved totally effective ???
Does anyone know?
There is a site called Hyperdrug ( or Canine chemists) who can supply POM for a much cheaper price- if you get a prescription from your vet .
I didnt even know you could do this :rolleyes:

I spray mine with Frontline (I don't like the idea of the spot-on variation) every quarter, and they stay flea-free. When they catch a rabbit or sniff a hedgehog they need a quick squirt (wild animals are invariably infested) but this regime works for us. FRontline kills ticks as well as fleas, by the way.
:)

JG can I ask why you dont fancy the thought of the spot on types- our vet always gives us Stronghold ?

Lel, I'm sure there's no sense in my distrust of it. Dals often have sensitive skin (along with sensitive digestions, emotions, feelings, etc - sometimes I wonder why I love them so!! ;) ) and logic tells me that for a small amount of a chemical placed on one small area to affect the whole of the skin, it has to be very very concentrated - and that the site will receive a huge dose of it. I just don't think, for my dogs, that would be sensible. I would rather put a weaker solution over a wider area.

Probably silly, but I don't care!
:)

Grief Geangenie, I am always agreeing with you :D :D :D

I agree with you there JG.  Since taking up the carpets downstairs fleas are rarely seen, however, on visiting the vet on Monday I asked the cost of a new bottle and was told £44.

Surely it can be got cheaper?

We get ours in France when we do a booze-cruise. It can be bought over the counter there, and is quite a bit cheaper (though not as cheap as it used to be).

Hi Debs, *What do others use for the prevention of the above? my dog is flea free, and I want to keep it that way!*  My lot are flea & worm frre & I`ve managed to keep them that way for more than 2yrs now, without having to use any of the chemicals mentioned here. They are fed a raw food diet with pureed veg/fruit & some supplements. I have 10 dogs at the moment & it certainly works for them :)

Christine, Spain

Forgot to add a link for some info if you want to have a look :)

http://www.caninecaregroup.net/dogframes.htm

Frontline definately killls ticks, it is why it is the product required to be applied when returning to the UK on the Pet Passport scheme.  It is effective for Ticks for a month, whereas up to two months for fleas with the Spot on, and 3 months with the Spray.

I prefer to use the Spray and get it all over the dog.  I know it is all over then, and don't have a concentrated insecticide in one place like wiotyh the Spot on that could cause a reaction.  #The Spray is more dilute, but you use more of it to wet the dog.

Hi I don't know if everyone knows, but capstar tablets are now available, without prescription, they kill all fleas that maybe on the dog, by just taking one tablet!, then you are suppose to carry on treating them with program. I myself use frontline 6 monthly just as a precaution as I haven't ever seen any signs of fleas. In future I am going to give capstar, maybe once a month it is so less expensive:)

one good thing about the spot on though is that it's much easier to apply, lily goes mental if u go anywhere near her with the spray - always a bit of a concern about her eyes and mouth when she's jumping all over the place (and that's with 2 people holding her !)

sarah
x

There's also the issue of the vapour - I know you're told not to inhale it, but it's difficult not to - can't do the dogs' lungs much good, either, can it? My vet reckoned the spray would be more economical now we have two dogs, but I think I'll revert to the "spot on" when we've finished our current supply.
Cathy.

Thanks all - big help!!!! knew I could rely on you!

Hey Deb's - Dont forget...Programme doesn't kill on contact - it makes adult's sterile so you will continue to see adult fleas if you have them and are using this style of treatment.  Every egg laid post treatment - of course - will not hatch.  However eggs,larvae and pupae 'pre' treatment could still hatch so very important to treat the house too!
Sarah :)

Hi i use spot on because my dogs hate the spray!-at least i get defealed!LOL! but with the use of garlic i do them only about twice a year. they have 1 garlic tab aday [border collies],if they ever get itchy i up it abit. i front line them when the ticks come out-we live tic infested exmoor & then again when the tics wont let go!

Garlic is good for so much! tics/fleas/worms/heart-blood/breathing!but not so good for smelly farts!

I use frontline and garlic but I get the frontline through american ebay it works out at $42 for 6 spot on large breed, it works out cheaper than my vet wanted, I have no problem with the spot on for the 4 different breeds, but Holly the Yorkshire terrier was treated with the Bob Martin spot on 4 years ago and the hair has never grown back in the spot on the shoulders

I'm never quite sure but is prevention better than cure with fleas?

I check my two regularly and they have been flea free for ages.  I get "free" flea treatment under the terms of my pet insurance with my vet and can pick it up every 6 weeks.  I am not convinced that it does them any good to be frontlined this often unless it is really necessary.  They are working dogs to come into contact with lots of wildlife so are at high risk of catching something.

Jacky

I know what you mean Jacky, but when you consider that, if your dogs get fleas, you have to treat the whole house, not just the dogs, I think prevention is better (quicker, and less chemicals used overall).
:)