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Flea And Tick Control

Each time we apply Frontline plus to our Aussie, he rubs his face for a couple hours afterwards... we're concerned that perhaps he's allergic to it.
If so, what other options are there for flea and tick control?

Comments for Flea And Tick Control

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fleas
by: jcrply

I, too, worry about possible side effects of flea control products. I've been relying on a flea comb, vacuuming, washing dog bed, food-grade diatomaceous earth on neck and rear end areas, and the occasional use of CAPSTAR (Nitenpyram). Capstar starts killing adult fleas within 30 minutes of giving the pill. But it only lasts for about one day. However, I have searched diligently and cannot find any bad comments about it nor any side effects. Does anyone else use Capstar and/or have any comments about it?

Flea meds
by: Marie

I have two female Aussies, now 2 years old. I have discontinued to use any kind of flea/tick meds on them. One of my dogs didn't show any problems with the meds we've used but the other would pace back and forth and was totally stressed for hours after the application. I've use Frontline, Frontline Plus and Advantix and they all had the same reaction. My daughter's vet told her he stopped using all similar meds regularly on his dogs and only uses when very necessary. I've chosen to do the same because of the chemicals used in these meds. I believe they will do more harm than good. We are lucky to live were we don't have a big flea problem. Ticks will show once in a while, but not enough to use the meds.

Irritant
by: M.T. RVT

Alot of pets rub their faces after application of flea and tick things like frontline, advantix, etc, because they have an alcohol base. This allows the liquid to absorb and the wetness of it to evaporate and dry quickly. The problem is that the smell of isopropyl alccohol bothers the dog's sensitive nose. I work in a vet clinic, as a registered veterinary technician and this happens alot and is a common question. It's not an allergic reaction - otherwise your dog's face would show pinkness or swelling around the lips, eyes and nose, or vomiting and diarrhea with a fever.

This happens in cats as well with products like advantage - only cats tend to salivate and drool because they try to lick it and the taste is really gross.

I hope this helps!

sho sho
by: Anonymous

try a natural product called shoo a small tag worn on collar mt sister tried it on her dog and worked great she would only use advantix as a backup last year she didnt use it at all this prduct is also economical

Fleas, tick, mites ivermectin poisoning
by: Angela

Be very careful with any Meds for fleas, ticks, or mites. My Australia Shepard mix almost died from ivermectin poisoning. This was a shot for skin mites. She was in the hospital two weeks. Ivermectin and some similar substances can not be given to Aussies. Many flea and tick medicines use these substances that are poisonous to Aussies.

Think before you do
by: Anonymous

Tick / flea control medicines are toxic chemicals that are designed to kill animals. Your dog (and you) are also animals. Any toxin that you are applying to your dog in the hopes that it will kill ticks / fleas is also affecting you. The only difference is body weight - the toxic dose for your dog is significantly more than the toxic dose for a tick, and the toxic dose for you is more than your dog. Is it good for you or you dog to be taking low dose toxins? No.

Tick bite dangers poss. worse than drug mild reactions
by: Feathertail

For Aussies & just about all Collie type dogs we all should learn --K9 CPR! Especially if our family pet is a drug-reactive dog..But, even if yours isn't Drug Reactive or Severely Allergic, ALL Canine owners should know what to do if your dog has a RESPIRATORY OR CARDIAC ARREST
Check out ...U-Tube http://youtu.be/0AFrUiRIeVo

[Now about Aussie's Drug Sensitivities:]

I have Read just about everything on Aussies/Borders/Shelties any Collie breed dogs, who MAY be in danger from Ivermectin &/or Flea & Tick tick Rx My pup (9 month) was tested for the MULTI DRUG RESISTENT Gene, "MDR" & after spending $180, it came back- "INCONCLUSIVE"! Big help? My guess, we owners pretty much know if our own dogs have this gene, when they consistently have a Nausea/Vomiting or allergic episodes after each administration of Ivermectin or the Flea & Tick oral drugs. Mine tosses his cookies 6-12 hours after NEX GUARD & any Heartworm Rx. SO now, I'm going to try the topical Advantix II FLEA & TICK Repellent topically this month & see if he reacts to it too. And I feel HEARTWORM infection is worse than bouts of nausea, so I WILL continue at least Spring to Autumn administration & have blood work before starting the next year.

It's an enigma for Collie type dog owners, since, the result of contracting Lyme Disease or Repeated GI obstructive TAPEWORM & other saliva-Flea borne diseases are probably worse than a mild reaction to these drugs. In the medical professions, we always consider: "Do the benefits of a treatment, outweigh the risks?" If our dogs don't have severe reactions but maybe some nausea and vomiting for a day, then I guess the benefits of PARASITE CONTROL Does outweigh the temporary symptoms. The 2 exceptions would be, if the dog has severe recurrent nausea & vomiting, leading to dehydration & multi-organ failure, with a specific drug. AND if we know for fact, the dog has the MDR gene...where like the Roach Motel advert...the drug "checks into the brain tissue but never comes out".

It's a difficult call to make either way. The other 2 things I know are important: 1) ask your Vet for you to keep- K9 Epi-pen (Epinephrine injectible syringe usually with Benadryl pills) on hand, for our sensitive dogs who do experience true, dangerous, life threatening Anaphylatic Shock. This SEVERE Allergic Shock can occur from a drug we give them or even if a plant or food they accidentally ingests is the cause of an highly allergic situation. and 2) ALWAYS KNOW HOW TO ADMINISTER CANINE CPR. There are good videos on U-Tube. Just PLEASE DON'T ever practice on a living dog?

I taught Human CPR for over 25 years & have performed K9 CPR on dogs who choked with a COMPLETE not partial airway obstruction. (Try to remove foreign body if it's visible but be careful don't push it further down the airway) Ribs can & do break doing human & K9 CPR. There can be damage to the dogs' organs if they're alive when you try it. BEST PRACTICE: Use a nice stuffed dog to practice on. If that terrible time does come & you MUST do Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on a dog, you'll be SO GLAD, you know what to do. Saving anyone's life is wonderful and, much easier if practice first on a mannequin- human & K9.

Aussies and flea meds
by: Linda cunningham

My beloved aussie died after a two month battles. He got acute ivermectin (liver failure) poisoning. We had mites. The Newfie was fine and aussie went into ascites vomitting dehydration seizure temporary blindness and hepatic encephalitis....lipid therapy... daily IV and syringe feeding neomycin lactulose SAMe cerenia and excruciating weight loss. I watched him dwindle away as we both fought for his life. In the end.... his little body gave up. I am forever impacted. Please don’t give aussies flea meds. I loved him more than any animal I have ever met. He was a child to me. A person. He died at my hands.

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