2022 Flea, Tick and Heartworm Season...
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It's Flea, Tick and Heartworm season for those of is in the lucky climates to support such critters as mosquitos.
Lot o choices of things you can shove in or strap on your dog to control this stuff. We learned a few years ago that Flea and Tick collars are BAD BAD BAD! Lots of dogs had bad reaction and I recall reading stories of dogs that either had to be put down or died as a result of wearing collars of a certain brand. Search and you'll find the stories.
Sooo... what are your favorite remedies and control products?
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Totally agree... flea and tick collars are NOT safe, especially if you have more than on in the home and they play... they can bite the flea collar... NOT GOOD... If you have a flea/tick issues use something like Frontline... at least that is what I do for so many years with my Basenjis and recommend it for any pups that I place. Heartworm I use NuHeart that is only for heart worm and I just give it once a month for the entire year. I do not believe that they need other "worming" unless there is an indication that it is need by having a stool sample done by your Vet.
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@tanza, my vet had recommended Frontline. I'm leaning that way. I like that NuHeart is heartworm only and not a bunch of other stuff. Leaning that way too.
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doodle is currently taking Simparica TRIO (every 6 weeks year round). I chose this brand specifically due to the fact that I live in the South and NC, USA is home to fleas, ticks and mosquitos. Our swampy wetlands may be popular with duck hunters, but even duck hunters love their dogs!
I do not give her the meds every month because I suspect that manufacturers tend to put in more meds than really necessary. It sounds counter intuitive, but in practical terms: why would you give a 44# dog the same dose as a 22# dog? So, since doodle isn't 44#s, I add a couple weeks to the dosage to prevent a chemical build up in her system. She doesn't seem to display any noticeable (scratching) issues until the day or two before her next dose.
This diagram illustrates that heartworm treatment is effective between 1-2 months after the related mosquito bite transmission. That information was relevant in my dosage theory. Because there is a 4-8 week window before the typical heartworm treatment becomes ineffective, So... I question the need to medicate our pets every single month (and I want to think I'm doing it right).
Naturally, you should make your own decision, based on where you live, the prevalence of mosquitos, fleas, and ticks, and how your dog reacts to the treatment you have chosen. doodle has been taking Simparica TRIO 22.1-44.0# tablets for a year and she seems to be doing well with it.
climbing off soapbox
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@lustopher I have used Nexgard for years and never had any issues with it. Before that I did use Frontline but for some reason my vet changed and I didn't question it.
Heart worm is not a problem here so I have never had any experience with remedies or protections.
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@kembe - I have used NuHeart for years now. My C-Me barfs up the Heartworm meds with the other meds for worms so since I do not really believe they need to be wormed monthly, I changed to NuHeart that is just for heartworm. Not a problem here in No. California but was in places where we traveled. I do give Drontal for tapeworm if they kill and eat their catch.... lucky they kill and DON'T eat it.... C-Me does bring it in the house to show me however! I have also used Frontline when needed, again fleas are really not a big issue where we live... so maybe only needed 2 or 3 times a year.
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@lustopher You should not use Frontline as well as Drontal and Nexgard. I will phone my vet if you like to check. But I am sure he took me right off Frontline when he put the pack on to Nexgard.
Drontal - three monthly - should not be given within 14 days of Nexgard. So wait a fortnight after a dose and then give it. That I am sure of ! It is written on the packets -
