[BeagleBob]

Hi everyone!

We are having a real battle with fleas this year. We have been using Frontline spray for a couple years with very good results, but this year it just doesn't seem to be doing anything.

A friend told us her vet gave her Comfortis and it is working great. Anyone have experience with this tablet? Know any pros/cons? Calling the vet tomorrow and asking her too.

Your thoughts or experiences?

Or suggestions even?

 

[Murphys Dad]

Fleas develop resistance to the chemicals I think. So do ticks...

I would try using a different product (Revolution is good I've heard). Also, very important is to treat the surroundings (back yard if you have one).

 

[Murphys Dad]

We've used K9Advantix for a couple of years, and it works well for both fleas and ticks. Is supposed to work for mosquitoes, too.

Eleanor's suggestion about treating the yard, beds, etc., is good. We treat the yard early every spring with Ortho Max. Not only does it keep fleas at bay, it helps a lot with other insects, including fire ants.

 

[Mollys Mom]

I have actually heard about some reactions to Comfortis. I am always a bit cautious when a new med comes out.

Advantix works well for both fleas and ticks. What I find is that you can actually use a smaller dose than what they tell you. And when you apply it, be sure to apply it from the base of the neck to the tail area in a few spots and rub it in good.

You can also use an outdoor flea spray in the areas that your dog doesn't walk in.

 

[Murphys Dad]

I was curious about the Comfortis when I saw it on my vet's shelf. His head tech told me that some dogs have vomiting during the 24 hours after the first dose but that that usually does not reoccur. My vet is very, very careful about the items he endorses but I, too, am wary of medications that are new on the market.

 

[Murphys Dad]

I've been using Sentinel for years with Jersey and Amber before her. So far, so good. It's an all in one combo for fleas, heartworm, and a couple of other worms.

 

[Makaella's Mom]

I use Sentinel as well for my Malamutes and for Jack and have never had a flea, heartworm or parasite of any kind.

 

[BeagleBob]

Thanks for the tips everyone. We'll look into these

 

[threedognight]

Several people reccommended that I spray my lawn in addition to Frontlining the dogs. I found an area in the back yard where the critters seemed to be really active. The last time I used Malathion(sp?) with a garden sprayer hooked up to the hose. This time I used a pump type sprayer (that was thoroughly cleaned)-- two gallons water to a tablespoon of Malathion.

Uhhhhh..... good news... no more fleas.... bad news..... no more lawn... it killed the grass!!! At least the grass is growing back already LOL...

 

[bender29]

I have never heard of comfortis. I use Advantage and it works wonders.

 

[Spencer's Mum]

We use Revolution, it is known to be one of the best because it also protects against ticks and heart worm. My dogs have never had a reaction from it. I apply it every 6-8 weeks rather than the suggested 4 weeks.

 

[hereformylucy]

Comfortis is the only FDA approved pet flea control on the market. Its actually the number 2 best selling flea product on the market (the first being Frontline). It is 100 percent organic and is basically capstar on steroids. When all else failed on my pup who was ridden with fleas I used Comfortis and so far have had great results with no side effects. Funny enough I gave it to her right after I gave her bath and noticed fleas everywhere, and since I was unable to use any topicals on her (a 24 hour time wait after all bathing before you apply) I reached for Comfortis (as Im a vet tech and we get free samples from vendors who do presentations) and so far Im impressed. If you dont like the idea of giving an oral flea control pill I suggest Vectra3D. Its been out on the market for a couple years now and does everything Frontline Plus does but more, like repel mosquitos and flies. Repelling is important if your pet has allergic reactions to fleas as most topicals (like advantage and frontline) need the flea to actually bite before it dies.