Question for folks who use Flea/tick protection

[Victory]

As I said in another thread, we will be moving at the end of this month to a new place. I've been living in the city, 1 mile from the middle of Downtown Minneapolis, for 14 years. Minneapolis, like a lot of big cities in the Mid-west has a pretty good bug irradication program, so I've never used Flea/Tick protection on my chows, and never needed too.

However, we are moving to a suburb and it's right next to a large wooded area by a river, there are deer, foxes, coyotes etc there. This is about 20 feet from our new back door. I'm thinking that I will want to start them on something like Frontline this spring, but I have a couple of questions and concerns.

First, what products have the chow owners here used? How well have they worked?
Second, have you had any adverse effects from using them; hair loss, rashes, illness, allergies, anything else?

I'd really appreciate your responses. I will of course be doing my own research, but since most of what is on line comes from the companies who make the products or the people who sell them, I'd like some first hand experience type comments.

Thanks,

[Blackbear]

We use frontline and have had very good results. We live in the bush with a lot of ticks and rabbit fleas which our boy gets from the cats.

[Auddymay]

I've used Revolution on Lily for years, which has both flea and tick as well as heartworm and some intestinal worm protections. I am thinking of switching to Frontline Plus, because you don't need a script to get it. Both are pretty pricey, but worth it.

[Loha'sDad]

Frontline Plus from http://www.vetmedsforpets.com/catalog/f ... p-684.html No problems.

[kingalls]

Used Frontline Plus until Wal-Mart started selling Pet Armour which has the same formula.
No problems with using it.

[Tippsy'smom]

We use confortis and it works great. It's a chewable instead of something that's applied to their skin.

[chowpups]

I used Frontline plus and never had a problem with fleas or ticks and we live in a hotbed for lymes.. Everyone in the family has gotten lymes except the dogs. Their blood work up always came back good. I didn't notice any reactions to the frontline, but I would inquire at your Vets office if there is anything to be aware of. Plus our dogs had a heartworm pill too. Good luck with your new place. I was told that squirrels and mice are usually the ones that bring the ticks closer to our homes, just a heads up..but you sound close to the big ones too.. We have deer and fox in our yard but not in the fenced area but close enough.

[Ursa's daddy]

We use K9 Advantix II and also heartworm treatment. We have rabbits, squirrels, mice, I saw a rat the other day. All of these can get in the fenced yard. Actually, the only wild animal that I haven't seen near the house is an alligator, and yes I have seen more than one of them in the county. The ticks and fleas will be bad this year because of minimal cold weather here this year. It is 51 F (10C) tonight, and should be 71F (22C) tomorrow. I am dealing with a shedding chow right now.

[Sirchow]

A word of caution with frontline....my daughter who is a vet nurse did all our animals with it once and I was ill but never connected it till she did them again and I was very ill. Animals were OK but I took about six weeks to recover. Since I haven't used it on mine as I thought if it did that to me what does it do to them....we dont have ticks and flees here luckilly the times they had it was after visits to my Dads.

[Jdcell100]

I use vectra can only get it through your vet

[chowpups]

Oh, I didn't make my self clear.. Its the little critters I meant that got through the fence that cause more problems then we are aware of ..

[Ursa's daddy]

I agree with you chowpups. My board fence is tight enough to keep a rat terrier in, but I find rabbit droppings in the fenced yard. Therefore, any of the smaller rodents can walk right through. Raccoons, foxes, and opossums can scale the fence. This means the 6 and 8 legged critters can easily be in the yard.

[Victory]

I agree with you chowpups. My board fence is tight enough to keep a rat terrier in, but I find rabbit droppings in the fenced yard. Therefore, any of the smaller rodents can walk right through. Raccoons, foxes, and opossums can scale the fence. This means the 6 and 8 legged critters can easily be in the yard.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. There is no fence, just the deck, a ten foot swath of lawn and then the woods. Opossums and Raccoons are scavengers and even though the garbage beens are behind fences, I'm sure the critters will be drawn to them, and I'm not too far from them either, just across the drive way.

[MissV]

i use frontline plus on my chowlie and on my kitty. Its quick and easy too!
I use capstar when the fleas get really bad (summer time in South Africa is hardcore!) which knocks the fleas right off the pets body, and then i treat with frontline a few days later.

capstar and frontline! best!

[Cam Atis]

I used to use Frontline Spray on my 3 wk old pups when they had balding spots as dals have sensitive skins as per my vet's recommendation. So no worries there if Frontline will cause balding spots on a dog COZ it won't.
Lately I have used Frontline Spot On to Cassie coz I noticed she is scratching. It is safe on puppies younger than 3months old. So it is really safe to use on older dogs or pups. I fear tick or fleas will be a nightmare given a chow's coat.
I also have used a flea/tick collar to my dal male before I dont recommend it since it can tear apart long before it reach 3 months.
I find flea/tick powder very helpful in providing relative protection along with anti flea/tick soap.

Although i have used a Spot On ( cassie is still scratching her ears. ) I dont think it is as effective as lathering the dog with soap or shampoo. If u find it impractical (giving bath every month or 2weeks)
you can use flea collar with flea/tick powder. Powder can be applied more often. It is scented too

[MissV]

Cam my friend how are you?
Did you know that flea shampoos actually dont work? The actual thing that works is just washing your dog.
I find that bathing kills some fleas, but not all of them becuase while you're washing the body, all the fleas run and sit inside the dogs ears. So sad poor dogs!
I find that frontline drops are the most effective as they actually make the dogs skin toxic to the fleas.
It does take about 3 - 4 months to see any effect of the frontline, but as a long term treatment, its amazing!

[Cam Atis]

Hello MissV, thank you for asking. I'm fine as well as Cassie. I hope you and Slush are too.
She is doing well treat-wise and courageous now to try new things. Regarding flea shampoo, I didn't know they dont work (what with Chows?) coz they work fine with my prev. dogs (all short hair Mini pins, Dals) I haven't seen fleas trooping inside the ears as well (again with my prev dogs) I usually apply shampoo on the dog's head making sure face neck under collar as well as underbelly is lathered up twice if there are fleas. 1st one for 10 minutes lather, The last application is never rinsed. But this "no rinse" method i guess i will not do to Cassie as her coat might have hotspots due to shampoo residue. Ok i'll give Frontline Spot on 3-4 months to wo coz I still see Little Cassie scratching.

[trry]

My vet gave me vector 3d (i think that's the name I'll go home and check it) is this any good? This seems to copy his body since its an oil base product. After reading MissV's comment about fleas hiding in hear I don't think his eat is getting coverage. Should I switch to frontline plus or vector 3d is fine?

Also my backyard is quite big and I cannot control what my neighbors do in their yard. What is a good pesticide to kill unwanted bugs and pet safe?

Thanks!!!!

[Jdcell100]

I use vector 3d on my chow gave him his monthly dose today been using it since he was a puppy he's 18 months now never had a problem and it's cheaper then frontline

[MissV]

Hey we dont have vector 3d here in South Africa, so i cant comment on its usefulness, but if its working for you and your pet, then carry on! If it aint broke, dont fix it!

[myboys]

I use vectra can only get it through your vet

This is what I use as well, but boy oh boy....do my boys hate any of that stuff! We have tried them all, it seems and they just run around rubbing themselves on the rugs, furniture, etc. It's awful and then they lie down and pout. It must burn. I would love to try comfortis but it is very expensive and I have (2) to buy for. Maybe one day, though.....

[huiz84]

frontline combo ^^

[mayumiyumei27]

Frontline plus at least once a month. if you want one with fast effects you can get Frontline spray. daily dose of bearing anti flea powder for your dog would be good too. You can get this at your vet's clinic.

[Juniper]

I use Interceptor for heartworm & primarily for roundworms-Sheena gets 'em from stepping on fresh bird poop and catching/eating wild birds. Before I go camping I give her Comfortis. More expensive but less harmful I believe.

Both my chows got itching problems from Advantage and Frontline. Troy had an itching problem to begin with and it increased-would now tear his skin off after application; Sheena who never had problems before began itching. As soon as it wore off after about 3 weeks everything was back to normal. I also began itching whenever I petted them. Dermatologist Vet specialist I went to suggested Comfortis-Interceptor and that's what I use now. I find they both work well.

Enjoy the suburbs Victory!

[PCC]

What would prevent me from using Comfortis is that it does nothing about ticks, at least that's what I gather from reading the manufacturer's site.