Fleas - YUCK!

[MaverickMom]

I'd like to know what the rest of you use to control fleas that works for you. I have tried the Frontline top spot but was disappointed in it. I found it way too expensive and it didn't seem to work very well.

Then I tried Bio Spot and it seemed to work pretty well and was much more cost effective but it left that greasy looking spot on the dogs fur for almost three days. With the Frontline, I could put it on the at night before bed and you couldn't even tell it was there by morning.

I've just ordered some Hartz Control type (using one of those online coupons I mentioned by the way).

I'd just like to know what every one else uses and likes.

Thanks,
Sonya

[Penny's Aunt]

I have had good luck with Advantage. And we had 8 cats & 2 dogs to try it on! I'm pretty sure you have to get it from a vet.

Another vet one is Revolution; they say it also kills ear mites without all the ear-med hassle for WEEKS. But I haven't tried it. Also safe for cats.

SAVE MONEY: even if you have little dogs, DON'T buy the little-dog size. Buy the biggest dog size (close to same price) & ask for a syringe & needle to go with it. I was told by the vet to use .4 (that's 4/10ths) of a cc for dogs & cats UNDER 9 LBS, & .8 (8/10ths) of a cc for dogs & cats OVER 9 LBS.

Please verify this with your vet to make sure the dosage hasn't changed for any reason. Save any leftovers for next flea season.

[Wienergal]

Boy, I'd like an answer to this question too! We switched to BioSpot last year, and while we had no fleas, we did have that smelly, greasy spot that I didn't like. It seems that you have to apply so much of the liquid that it's TOO much for smaller, short-haired dogs! We used Advantage one year too, and it seemed to work fine, but I could never use the entire tube without drenching the dogs!

All suggestions welcome, because I truly HATE fleas and just will not have them!!

BTW, you can also save money by getting a written prescription from your vet, then buying the flea meds from a catalogue, like Foster and Smith.

[sillysadie]

Boy I'm going to get kicked off this board for sure. We don't have fleas here and what a relief after living in Texas my whole life. I flew the dogs back to Nm from Texas when we moved and they were full of fleas. When we reached NM they all died. I guess it is the lack of humidity. Please don't boot me out!

[Owen's Mom]

I didn't have to use anything from Oct. 'til just this month!! Saved me some serious money too! I did catch Owee scratching last week and ran the flea comb over him only to discover a flea! Sneaky things! So, I pulled out the Advantage and gave him a nice squirt of it behind the ears http://dachsie.org/ubb/wink.gif

It works great, but if I don't comb it through about 6 hrs later, it gives Owen a bad case of the flakies. When I first brought him home, I didn't know if there had been anything used on him yet, so I didn't go straight out and buy the Advantage for him... Then, I found tape worms in his stool, he got them from eating a flea that he was carrying (the fleas have the tape worm eggs in their bellies). So, I had to not only get the Advantage, but also had to spend another 10 or so dollars on meds to get rid of the worms. The only draw back to the Advantage is the greasy stain on his neck for about 8 hrs, but it goes away and then Owen and my house are nice and flea-free http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

~~Amy~~

[Wienergal]

SillySadie, you are OUTA here! No fleas? I am so envious!

I guess it all boils down to this: You get a choice between the greasy spot and fleas. I know which choice I'm gonna make! But if anyone can recommend a product that doesn't leave the spot and that works, I'm ready to buy! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Mrs.F]

We pay big bucks for the Frontline because we spend so much time romping through the woods collecting deer ticks. I don't recall much of a grease spot once it's dry, but I do recall the big price tag! The only thing I hate more than picking gross little ticks off of Penny is picking big, gross, blood filled ticks off of her.......

[Pam C]

I used frontline on my boyzoi and it was like putting water on him! It was fine on the other dogs, but the one who was allergic to fleas NOOO. The vet said it doesn't work well in dogs with low body fat. Frontline says it doesn't work well on dogs with dry skin (I called them).
I want to live in the part of NM Sillysadie does!!! It was rainy here last year and they exploded and with ticks for added enjoyment UGHH. I just got them under control finally!
The best stuff I have seem for fleas is Adams flea off and it now has the growth inhibitor. The only bad thing is it smells, they say it is pleasantly scented...ug. But you can use it on cats and 6wks old puppies. But spray it outside! Not only because of the smell but the fleas will start jumping off right away and you don't want them in the house!
I used it in Florida and stopped using it when I moved to NM, now it is back in the house.
They are changing their name I have a bottle with the new name at home I'll look and add it.
It last 7-9 days and kills tick, repels flies and mosquitoes and the new stuff is waterproof. Every couple days I lightly mist the guys during the warm season. They have it at Petsmart and vets and on line.

[sillysadie]

I live in Albuquerque right down the road from you but I swear my pooches don't have fleas. Growing up in the flea capital of the world, Texas, I am totally floored. I don't even need a flea remedy but I do agree Adams always worked well on the puppers in Texas. The smell can be strong.

Weinergal,

I can't believe your booting me for no fleas when I still have a submissive urinater. That should make up for the no fleas- always carrying the bissell on my beltloop.

Shel

[Pam C]

Okay Sillysadie, Want some of my fleas? I have plenty.
I think it is because I live by the Rio Grande and all the irigaton ditches around me http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif .
Are you going to the May shows in Alb? I'll be there. Stop by the Dobie and Borzoi ring and say HI. Obedience on Fri. with BC. Xena (dachsie) just isn't ready yet. But I'll give her a break she only been in training a couple weeks.
PS my big guys don't eat dachsies.

[MaverickMom]

I just did not find the Frontline to be very affective for my guys and lord knows it costs way to much not to work! But, the spot did go away a lot faster than the BioSpot stuff does.

I don't think Advantage guards against ticks. I'm not sure about that though. We have a lot of ticks out in the woods too and although the dogs don't spend a whole lot of time out there, I don't really want to take any chances.

Well, I'll let y'all know what I think of the Hartz Control that I have ordered. It was the same price as the Biospot and it said it killed and repelled adult fleas, killed eggs and repelled mosquitos. I'll keep you posted! And I guess if that doesn't work we'll try something else!

Sillysadie, my Sasha is a submissive urinator too, so I agree with you that that makes up for not having fleas! LOL

Sonya

[Wienergal]

So Frontline doesn't work well on dogs with low body fat, eh? Well, I guess that leaves MY two out.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Heavy sarcasm. There is a famous show dachshund from the 1960s named Heavy Chevy--a beautiful animal and BIIIIIIG! When I got Farfel's "family tree," I searched for him, but the genealogy didn't go back far enough. I'm sure he's there, though!)

OK, OK, SillySadie...I guess submissive urination more than makes up for living in a flea-free zone! http://dachsie.org/ubb/wink.gif Actually, the only time any of my dachshunds ever had fleas was the summer The Ex and I went to Europe for a month and left the sainted Doggerel with my parents, at their house on the Delaware shore. It was a hot, dry summer, he got fleas, and their house had to be bombed. But I use flea products every year because I don't ever want to have to go through that.
Predictions for this summer are for much hotter and drier weather than normal here in the upper Midwest. http://dachsie.org/ubb/mad.gif That means fleas for sure in these parts!

[Mark]

Hi Ladies,

Found a website that sells ALL the stuff (oops, except for Biospot)thats mentioned here and then some. It's http://www.ezpetshop.com/ez_pharmacy.html

In addition we will probably be getting our Synovicre (the girls both had back injuries) and Rimadyl (for Duck Butter who had "the surgery")there. Three day shipping and a toy, both free with a $25.00 order. Just thought I'd pass this along.

Am I the only active guy member on the board? If so . . . cool! http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif

Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/wink.gif



[This message has been edited by Mark (edited March 29, 2000).]

[Owen's Mom]

Hey Mark,
You should also check out a board called Wiener Writings. There are a couple of men who post there and they are the biggest softies ever! http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif You'd fit write in!!
http://members.boardhost.com/weinerwritings/

BTW... I'm a big believer in Advantage! It really works, the greasy spot goes away within 6 hrs and I don't think that $30 every four months is that bad when it comes to keeping the icky fleas away.

[Mark]

Hi Amy,

Thanks . . . I'll give that board a try! Hey, wait a minute . . . you sayin' I'm a softie? http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif

[sillysadie]

Hey Mark,

Confused and a softee too. We need to get more men on here to take up for you. LOL BTW any pics of your munchkins we can see. Most of us are posted on another webpage and I know we would all love to see your puppers.

Shelley

[This message has been edited by sillysadie (edited March 29, 2000).]

[Owen's Mom]

Hmmm... I wonder if I can import a picture of Owen onto this post like we did at the Zone? Let me try... http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

http://www.alltel.net/~cjevans/friends/owen04.jpg

[Mark]

Hi Shelley,

I'll try to get pictures out there soon. Not one of my three stooges like the camera at all. Duck Butter and Masse think I'm ready to play some kind of game with that strange thing in front of my face (so they start running around) and Top Spin wants to put it in his mouth (he's tall enough to reach). Sigh . . . we would like to get better shots than the ones we have. I'll try again soon.

Great Pic from you, Amy!

Now for these vicious rumors that I'm a confused softie . . . hmmmm . . . I can live with that! http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif

[Wienergal]

OK, we're totally off the flea topic, but I have to chime in here. Mark, as has been hinted and as you have no doubt guessed, all us new members here arrived from another board that kind of went...south http://dachsie.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif I felt so sorry for you at first--just swamped by all these wimminz! But you appear to be holding your own just fine under the onslaught! It's nice to have a male voice among us, so hang in there, and if you feel like you're getting a case of estrogen poisoning, just go watch some football and have a six-pack or two! That ought to take care of the problem! http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Mark]

Well, football is a good 3-4 months away so I guess I'll just run down to the pool hall, have some beers, talk loud, belch, scratch, do some hustlin' . . . you know, guy stuff. That ought to replenish the ol' testosterine levels. http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

Thanks for the support . . . I do adapt.

I am enjoying everyone here . . .

http://dachsie.org/ubb/wink.gif Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif

[Penny's Aunt]

Back to the fleas: when I used Advantage, since I bought the big-dog size & sucked out the required amount with a syringe, it also allowed me to put the liquid in several places on the back of the neck, so there wasn't one big greasy spot.

I believe Revolution works on ticks, too.

[2DogsLong]

One of the reasons I wanted a wiener was the Advantage commercial -- the "if you don't use Advantage, scratch your ears..." one. At the end, an itsy bitsy wiener puppy hops across the screen. Sigh.

When does flea and heartworm season start? I figure the seasons go something like: Sunbathing, Bark at falling leaves, It's fricken cold out Mr. Bigglesworth, Flea and Heartworm.

Amy, I think you'll use any excuse to put up a picture of the O-man. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif You should have swiped that racing jacket. It was clearly made for Owen.

So Mark... what's your sign?

[Mark]

Hi all,

I like the Advantage, too. If I'm careful to spread the hair and get it directly on the skin . . . no greasy spots!

Has anyone heard anything, good or bad, about Sentinel? Here's a copy/paste of their claim to fame:

"SENTINEL® is the only monthly tablet that guards against heartworms and fleas, as well as roundworms, hookworms (Ancylostoma
caninum) and whipworms. SENTINEL is so convenient: just one tablet, once a month with a meal, gives your dog the most
complete protection possible in a single tablet."

My sign is Leo.

http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif


[This message has been edited by Mark (edited March 30, 2000).]

[Wienergal]

Mark, does that label say anything about side effects? That would be my big concern with an oral medication, but the idea of one pill once a month is tempting!

2Dogs, the heartworm/flea season varies according to the weathe in your part of the world. In Chicago, it was recommended that you start both heartworm meds and flea prevention in May and continue through November. HOWEVER, since we have had two very mild winters and very hot summers in a row, I'm starting my dogs on both meds in April. Never hurts to be careful! (I like your seasonal designations!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/wink.gif )

[Mark]

Hey WG,

I don't know about what the label might say . . . I found the med on a website (ezpetshop.com). Here is the accompanying propaganda:

Spot-on flea controls and most sprays and dips contain insecticides - so
when you touch a dog treated with these products, you're exposing
yourself and your family to insecticides. SENTINELTM is clean and safe.
You don't need to wear gloves or worry about ventilation or flammability
while using it. And you don't have to keep children away from your
SENTINEL-treated pet.

And because you're concerned about your dog's safety, too, you'll be
happy to know that SENTINEL is proven safe for dogs. SENTINEL is
medicine, approved by the FDA* and subject to the same high standards
as human pharmaceuticals. SENTINEL has been tested and found safe for
puppies as young as four weeks, weighing two pounds or more. It's also
safe for breeding and nursing dogs, and is recommended for all breeds.
(NADA #141-084, Approved by FDA)

Our Detroit area weather is alot like that in Chicago, which is why I'm active in L http://dachsie.org/ubb/rolleyes.gifKING around for stuff the kids need for the season.

The Sentinel might be worth a look-see.
Maybe someone on the board knows more?

http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif Mark, the "token male" http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[pluto'slanie]

I use Sentinel for pluto along with Advantage. Other dogs I've had have had flea problems and I figure since Pluto sleeps with me I want us both to be flea free. I'd look pretty silly scratching my rump on the NYC subways. (probably no one would notice) http://dachsie.org/ubb/confused.gif

[Roobyrocks]

The only thing we've found that reliably takes care of fleas in Texas is Advantage. Rooby and the 2 cats are on it. The other day I went by Rooby's vet to pick some up cause I didn't want to take the time to order it online... I quickly changed my mind... the vet's price was way too high. I went to Foster & Smith and ordered it there... much much cheaper. We do Advantage usually Apr - Sept, but Heartgard is year-round in TX.
Amy, you kill me with the pictures... guess I better learn that little trick too!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Roobyrocks (edited March 30, 2000).]

[doxielover]

Hey Mark! I'm a Leo too (8-6)! http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif Any other Leo's out there?

Susan

[doxielover]

Guess Freddie needs Advantage again! http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek.gif He's been scratchin lately, and the other day while cleaning out his ears, there was a nasty flea! http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif I think with the screwy weather everywhere, it's messing up the "flea season".


*Pluto's Lanie*

I'm curious, are dogs allowed on the Subway trains? I know small dogs are very plentiful in NYC, and since the Subway is the main transportation, I wonder if they can ride along? http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

Susan

[Mark]

Hi Susan,

Mine's 8-22 . . . I'm told that's "on the cusp", whatever that means? http://dachsie.org/ubb/confused.gif

http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif

[pluto'slanie]

Susan, Dogs can ride if you carry them in a bag. They can't be loose. I only wish some of the people on the subways smelled as good as Pluto. http://dachsie.org/ubb/redface.gif Lanie I love these smilies.

[Mandy]

Advantage really works! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif My husband worked at Bayer (who manufactures Advantage) and spoke with the guy who invented the stuff (actually an interesting story). The bottom line is that Bayer spends millions anad sometimes billions to see how a chemical affects every part of the environment that it may touch. Advantage is good stuff..the only problem we have is that our guys act like they've been mortally wounded afterward, running around like crazy, rolling around, and just being nuts. http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif But, this is a good thing! There movements cause Advantage to spread all over the body, protecting against those yucky fleas. We are trying Sentinel now....I will let everyone know if it works well for us. We have been using it for one month and haven't had any problems yet, but who knows with the weather the way it has been. I have my trusty advantage on backup...Sentinel makes fleas infertile but will not kill the adults...so I want to be ready to kill the nasty invaders...It does seem expensive though....we used to get heart worm medicine from our old vet for $30. Sentinel is about $120 per dog I think....a stretch for a young married couple, but these guys are our babies ad worth it....I haven't heard much about Revolution yet...There is also Interceptor which is supposed to do heart worms and other the other crawly worms, but I haven't checked on that yet.

[Wienergal]

Mandy, thanks for all the good info! Have you tried buying Sentinel from the Foster and Smith catalogue? I'm not sure whether they carry that particular brand, but you can buy most flea preps from them for far less than it would cost to get it from your vet. You just have to have your vet write the prescription, then send it to them.

[Mark]

Hi gang,

Well, I guess the concensus is that there is very little info on the Sentinel . . . Just wondered, since I saw the ad.

In case anyone is curious, here's the pricing on the web, per box of 6:

Sentinel for Dogs
Per Box of 6

SENTINEL® is the only monthly tablet that guards against heartworms and fleas, as well as roundworms, hookworms (Ancylostoma
caninum) and whipworms. SENTINEL is so convenient: just one tablet, once a month with a meal, gives your dog the most
complete protection possible in a single tablet.
Preventing a problem is preferable to treating one after it's begun. Use SENTINEL once a month, all year long, to give your dog a
lifetime of protection against internal and external parasites.


2 - 10 lbs (2.3 mg)$33.35

11 - 25 lbs (5.75 mg)$35.17

26 - 50 lbs (11.5 mg) $41.86

51 - 100 lbs (23 mg) $48.65

Not bad, I guess, if it replace ALL the monthly meds.

http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif

[Krista]

trying it myself

http://i4.yimg.com/4/b38fb114/g/0/861e8143.jpg

did it work??

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Wow, all you guys sound like flea X-perts.
I ran out the other day and bought some Hartz Flea Spray. Haven't tried it yet-I'm afraid it'll stink Wo out. I'll have to Frankenstein on the big dogs first, Hahahahaha.
Flea collars don't work b/c Wo smells too chemical and he does live on the couch with me...

Just as I'm writing this an Advantage commercial is on with the singing cat and dogs. Too cool.

Hey Mark! I'm born 8/29 and married to a Leo!

http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Mark]

Wo,

So you're married to a Leo . . . hmmmm, like me . . . hmmmm . . . I feel for ya, girl. http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/cool.gif

[Uschi]

Okay, I'm a huge skeptic until I find out information on my own, but I wanted to pass this post along, in the event that there IS something to worry about... (Nutty Fact-Finder me looked up the supposed author...this person DOES exist.) My vet doesn't use Revolution, and because we're in such a dry climate, fleas aren't much of a problem, but... My apologies for the length & if you've read it before...it's just such a scary prospect.
~~~~~

This was from the Dobie List Note there is permission to cross-post

On 3/15/00 I asked my Vet for a Heartworm preventive for my 2 year old Australian Shepherd, Sage. They recommended Revolution. It was applied on 3/15/00. On 3/20/00 Sage developed a cough, but she was otherwise fine. She had had a bath at the Vet on 3/15/00 also, so I decided to watch her for further symptoms. On 3/23/00 she was fine until late afternoon when she became quiet and didn't want to play. By 7pm that night, she had trouble opening her left eye and whimpered when she jumped down from the couch or bed. In the past, Sage always had a tendency to bruise easily. She had sensitive skin and worry an area until it bruised. She had no trouble with her blood clotting and had been previously spayed. She now had bruising on her body. When I took her to the Vet, he asked if she had been in rat poison. I informed him that she was an inside dog and only went out to play with the kids and to use the bathroom. My neighbors have pets and do not put out poisons. They also asked if she had had a blow to the head because there was blood in the whites of her eyes that was not there yesterday. I stated that she was not hit in the head. I asked if it could be the Revolution and was informed that it could not be. I told my vet that was the only thing that Sage had been exposed to. He did a CBC and her platelets were 87 and WBC count was 27,000. her Hct was 37. He treated her for infection and rat poisoning and sent us home. Within 3 hours she was falling over. I rushed her back to the Vet and he kept her until 5pm that afternoon. I brought her home after they said she was doing better. At 6pm she was again falling over and I called my Vet back and was informed to bring her back the next day. By 11pm, she was bleeding from her nose and had vomited with streaks of bright red blood. My husband and I drove her to an ER clinic in Savannah,GA and was told that it was either a tick born disease or rat poisoning or a blow to the head. I again asked if could be the Revolution and was informed no. They kept her and treated her as my vet. When I called at 6am, I was informed that she was having seizures but she was otherwise stable.

I was worried about a subdural hematoma and talked with my Vet. He suggested I take Sage to Charleston, SC to see a Specialist. She arrived there at 4:30pm. When I gave her history, I again asked if it could be the Revolution and was informed no. Later that night Sage continued to have seizures and she bled into the orbits of her eyes, but they said their was still hope. At 6:45am they called and said Sage had arrested and was on a ventilator. We asked that they let her go. This has been devastating to my family. We loved that dog. She was a family member. At 10am, the clinic called and asked for an autopsy. They informed me that another dog had died last month there, with symptoms the same as Sage. The dog was an inside dog and the only thing different was that the owner had started Revolution. The dog died of low platelets and intracrannial hemorrhage just like Sage. The vet in Charleston called the Revolution people and they are paying for Sages autopsy. They also paid for the other dogs autopsy. That autopsy showed low platelets and intracrannial hemorrhage from a toxin. (? Revolution was the only toxin the owners had given). I will not know the results of the autopsy for a month, but I believe it was the Revolution. If 2 dogs have died in the Savannah-Charleston area in the last month, how many nation wide. Please spread the word for owners to be careful about using this drug on their dogs. No dog should suffer like my Sage suffered. Thanks for Listening,
Terri Eddy Rincon, GA

[Wienergal]

Uschi, thank you so much for taking the trouble to post this info! I've never heard of this product, but I will be sure NEVER to use it, thanks to you! What a sad story! http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif