Hi @Vesna, it’s interesting you say that about the spay. Our tri-color actually just got spayed this week and her coat shed before that. I noticed small amount of black hair growing in where she shed, hopefully it grows back. What phase is your tri-color at? Did this just happen?
Fleas
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We have used Advantage for fleas on our dogs and our cats for as long as I can remember - it doesn't cause any issues, and it does keep the fleas off. Here in Florida fleas can get to be a really bad problem if you don't keep up the treatments.
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And remember you put the flea meds between her shoulder blades, they can't reach there very easily when grooming themselves
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I use Frontline… well I almost use it. I used it in heavily infested yard situation, treated the yard, house.... dogs with Frontline. I did it 3 times the (about april, July and Oct) the first 2 yrs, twice the next couple of years. I have used it ONCE a year since as I really don't see even 2 or 3 fleas a year now.
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I was also wondering about flea prevention. We use Advantage Multi (for heartworms and fleas) but the stuff leaves him with constant dry skin/dandruff between his shoulder blades, and I just get annoyed with it getting on stuff after we put it on him. I was wondering if any of the oral types would be a good alternative.
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If applied correctly, I don't think they should be able to lick off the topical treatments.
Another option, if you'd like to look into it, is Comfortis. We've been using this monthly flea preventative since August (we need year-round flea prevention here), and it's been VERY effective. It comes in pill form, taken once a month. We're happy with it… though it does have to be well hidden in food or treats, as it has a strong medicinal scent (even though it's supposed to be "chicken flavored") and supposedly causes nausea on an empty stomach.
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I don't use the topical that says also for heartworm, I would prefer, like shots doing that stuff at separate times. I give heart worm one week and then if I need flea protection I do that a week or more later. Like I said, we don't have a big flea problem here were we are in No. California, but when needed, I do use it.
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I was also wondering about flea prevention. We use Advantage Multi (for heartworms and fleas) but the stuff leaves him with constant dry skin/dandruff between his shoulder blades, and I just get annoyed with it getting on stuff after we put it on him. I was wondering if any of the oral types would be a good alternative.
I prefer to never give oral meds where I can avoid it. Like Pat, I like separating them, especially since I give heartworm year round and rarely need flea stuff.
Your other option is to get frontline spray and simply spend 10 mins holding your dog from licking til it dries. I preferred the spray on my big dogs but have given in to the top spot now. Like your dog, it made very dry areas. I then had to treat those areas with some cortizone and conditioners.
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The 'good' topicals, Advantage or Advantix, or Frontline, work well and properly applied are not a problem. I understand that Comfortis works great too. Stay away from cheaper 'grocery-store' brand topicals as they can cause skin irritation and worse.
In ?Florida, you need to give heartworm monthly meds as well as stay ahead of fleas. We don't have to use flea topicals in the winter, have just used it for the first time but will use it all summer.
Adams spray is an option, just don't let her lick it, it is supposed to be OK for puppies. -
Yes, fleas are pretty common around here so I probably will need to continue using that regularly. Also, just wondering, but why is it that you suggest avoiding oral medications?
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We add 1 tsp of dry yeast to their food, take a bit to build up in their system, but fleas really stay away. We use system when it gets really bad.
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I used to use Frontline/Advantage on my males (both over the bridge now) but my female is super sensitive. These meds burned off her fur where applied!
Now I use an herbal flea/tick spray made with citronella but it has to be sprayed (lightly will do) on her every day. I discovered, quite by accident, that it will kill fleas instantly. She caught a rabbit the other day and of course the fleas jumped ship and immediately started biting her - as soon as I sprayed she had relief.
