Best Flea and Tick Preventative

[Cash's Mama]

Hey all! I've been away for awhile. But after just picking a tick out of Cash's ear, I decided to consult you guys. We haven't had him on any flea or tick preventative since we first got him. It was winter and he was only outside to potty. But now it is warming up and we've been spending alot of time outside. And just now I found a tick in his ear, along with some brown gunk (only in the ear the tick was in). So we're going to the vet tomorrow. I was wondering what is the best preventative for this breed. I looked at some reviews online but it seemed like some brands work for some dogs and some don't. Just looking for my fellow mastiff lovers advice.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Depends on what else you need to prevent, which depends on your area. I use Revolution (heartworms, and fleas), and a Preventic collar for ticks.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Posted twice, sorry

 

[Cash's Mama]

Well we are from Kentucky so we get it all....flea, ticks, mosquitos, flies you name it! lol I really don't wanna put a collar on him. I just don't like them, I think they stink. I looked at the K9 Avantix II online which seemed to kill and/or prevent all of the above. But one review said it didn't work and then others praised it so I was unsure. Didn't want to spend that kind of money and it not work. He already takes his heartworm medicine every month.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Preventic collars only works on ticks, and I have to say that it seems to do a very good job and I've never noticed an odor. We've a HUGE tick problem, and the only time he's ever got ticks was when I forgot to change the collar for a new one on time.

Having said that it sounds like you need something more comprehensive. My vet is currently recomending Vectra, but I've never used it myself, it is supposed to do all of that though!

 

[chuckorlando]

We use trifexis and comfortus. We dont have to many ticks so I dont know how it would do there. But it will knock a flea down in 30min. They are bost pills given every 30 days

 

[angelbears]

Chuck, you might want to check with your vet about using both at the same time. Ihave been reading that you shouldn't use both of them together. They share the same active ingredient, so there could be a problem with overdosing.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a vet. Please do your own research.

 

[chuckorlando]

Oh there for diffrent dogs. hahahaha. I should have said that. We have Kona on Tri as the vet said it would be cheaper long term due to her size

 

[natsan6]

I switched Jagger(5mo EM) to comfortis and I LOVE it! I didn't think we were EVER going to get a hold on it I tried everything topical and none of it worked on him for long enough. Once he hit 60lbs he could take the largest dose of comfortis and he is on sentinel for heartworms. (I think it has a fleas sterilizer in it but doesn't kill them just no more baby making lol) We live in Houston close to the gulf so nothing dies here hahaha, we fought fleas forever. However that being said in KY (my family is there) I know they have super tick issues, so FYI I specifically asked my vet about topical treatment in conjunction with comfortis and he said that was fine because they work through 2 totally different body systems. I read up on everything because some of the newer meds are causing crazy scary reactions in dogs. Good Luck! ( a friend of mine uses the advantix because it repels mosquitos again Houston lol, I didn't try it by that time I had given up on topicals but he swears by it...his biggest is a boxer though)

 

[Hello lab]

Curious that there has been no mention of Frontline. I've always used it for my lab and golden, and seemed to work fine. Please educate me, what am I missing?

Kevin

 

[ruthcatrin]

Hello Lab: it depends on what the person needs to protect against. For example Frontline protects against fleas and ticks, but there are a HUGE number of other pests in alot of areas, and its difficult to avoid overlapping drugs if you try to do it with multiple drugs. Plus alot of people worry about the coverage of big dogs with the topicals (note: I use a topical and haven't had any issues, but it is a concern for some folks).

Chuck: how long have you been using Trifexis? I'd like to switch my dogs to it, because it also does roundworms and we've had off and on problems with them, but my vet was leary of it because it was so new on the market that she was concerned there wasn't enough info on it (my concern too). I assume you've had no bad reactions from it?

 

[Chuma]

I use Advantix. I also put diatomaceous earth on my dog/cats and put it in the dog's beds. Trying to stay away from Topical pesticides for as long as I can. Fleas aren't bad yet so the Diatomaceous Earth is enough for now.

 

[Tunride]

I always used Frontline, now Pet Armor (same stuff just generic and half the price). My back yard is small so I mulched it with cedar wood chips (cedar to stop bugs) and use diatomaceous earth inside and out for everything. I haven't used it on the dogs yet, no need so far.

 

[Smart_Family]

We used k9 advantix 2 last year and now this year we're trying the combo of diatomaceous earth and garlic. So far the dogs get it in their food everyday and we'll put it on them if need be. We also have an all natural spray to put on them before we go outside.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I do use DE in the yard. It does help!

 

[NippyNeapolitan]

Is it true that letting your dog roll in the grass will remove tick and fleas? I've heard this from a friend of mine.

 

[Tiger12490]

Sounds like a better way of getting them

Tapd on my Skyrocket

 

[rmk]

i always had my dogs on frontline for fleas/ticks and heartguard for heartworms but today he put us on advantix multi for all of the issues....hope it works well

 

[chuckorlando]

Ruthcartin Kona has been on it for about 5m or sso. The first time we put them on these pills I thought they lost thier appatite. But I do not think this is the case. First they are on diffrent pills. Second they would eat the hell out of anything that was'nt TOTW. Switched them back to blue buffalo and they aint looked back.

Only thing I can say seems any diffrent with them, they aint got fleas. I also wont say it works in 30min like the box say's, but give it 2hr and there dead.