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Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:33 am  |
Hi everyone,
my dog has been on frontline plus ever since he was a puppy. I am amazed at how the product works, how it kills fleas and eggs that come in contact with my dog's hair (even if the hair is on the carpet and the flea walks across it!). it is also waterproof up to 1 month after application.
I just really want to know how such a potent product doesn't have any adverse effects on my dog's health. I haven't been able to find anything online regarding adverse health issues, but i am still a curious cat.
any thoughts?
Kris |
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Thu Nov 22, 2007 4:14 am |
I use a similar product, called Advantage, on my two cats.
One very, very important point for anyone interested in using these products, though, is NEVER to apply the dog treatments to a cat. I've seen the results and it is horrific. It can easily result in death, or very serious illness at the least. |
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Thu Nov 22, 2007 6:53 am |
| Hi, I also use frontline plus on my dog once a month and am so pleased because I am totally freaked out by fleas! My mother-in-law had a flea problem all the time (because she didn't believe in de-lousing her cats) and I used to come home looking like I had a disease aftyer being eaten alive by them. Our dog came home with fleas one day - I was so freaked, locked him in the laundry and by morning they had all fallen off him. I looked at the frontline site and looked up lots of reviews - no untoward side effects documented. Must be magic. I also givve him the annual heartworm jab - I am so bad at remembering - it has made things so much simpler - frontline plus monthly, worming 3 monthly and annual heartworm etc... |
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Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:26 pm |
| i've had both my dogs on frontline for years. they used to pick up ticks, and occasionally will still "wear" them home, but the ticks don't attach. haven't seen either of them with a flea so far. I do however, apply every six to eight weeks instead of once a month. that seemed like too much medication to me (it makes them a little logy for a day) and were advised by our vet that this is fine...that most of the flea repellent effects work at this extended interval. |
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Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:15 am |
We used frontline for years, but 2 years ago, we bought so many cases thinking it was the actual case that was defected since it stopped working. We contacted the company and they said that prolong use makes it become ineffective since the fleas become immune and whatnot. We had to switch to Advantage, and even when we asked the vet, that could happen to Advantage as well. He recommended flea control pills, which you have to give them everyday...yuck.
So keep an eye on it to make sure it is still working... |
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Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:16 am |
| Basically it is a strong poison, whatever it is. That is why they are so clear to not get it on your hands etc. |
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Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:00 am |
| I have used frontline as a one-time basis. It DOES work very well. However, as Sangria noted, it is a poison. I don't feel comfortable with applying a poison to my pet for a prolonged period. I think the best technique (for cats at least) is to apply it to cure an infestation, but to keep the cat indoors to prevent future infestations. If I had a dog I would not let it out in a grassy yard. Perhaps no studies have shown this product to cause an animal to suddenly die, but I don't know if it shortens an animals lifespan or causes them to be more susceptible to disease. I have heard that feeding a pet brewer's yeast on its food every day makes them an undesirable meal for fleas and ticks, so it might be worth a try if you have a problem and are worried about using commercial flea products. |
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Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:31 am |
We started using this all natural product called All-In-One flea powder and it works fabulous! It has a 100% guarantee and is so versatile! I used it outside for aphids and slugs, and it worked wonders.
Here is the website:
http://www.naturalflearemedy.com/
I am sure they sell it internationally if you google it. |
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Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:23 am |
That natural flea product is made with diatomaceous earth. If you can't find that brand, finding any product that is made with diatomaceous earth should have the same effect.  |
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Sat Nov 24, 2007 5:45 pm |
I have not used Frontline on Maggie and Winnie for two years. It does not surprise me that since I have been feeding them a raw diet they don't seem to attract fleas or ticks. I also put some Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar in their water. A very small amount of garlic in their food also helps keeps the little creatures away from them. Fleas and ticks are more likely to nest in a weakened animal.
If I am taking my Scotties through fields (off lead) I spray them with Buddy Splash (fleas formula with Cedarwood and Neem).
I work part time in a holistic pet center. Like chimera, I believe Frontline is dangerous for my dogs. In saying that, everyone needs to do what they feel is best for their pets. |
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As I am getting older I realize my biggest beauty secret is smile more and frown less. Be aware that wrinkles do not make a person unattractive. Cynicism, unforgiveness, anger and jealousy are the real culprits. Sixty something |
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Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:29 pm |
Thank you for all your replies.
I do have a sneaking suspicion that frontline is poisonous.
chimera--dogs love grass, and mine goes running off leash at least 2-3 week at the local college grounds. i could never keep him away from nature.
thank you for all the natural alternatives, i will look into them and if anyone has anymore information on this, please let me know.
Thanks! |
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:35 pm |
I use Frontline on all four of my dogs, but only from June to October as that is the peak flee and tick season here in the Northeast. I really don't think it's necessary in the winter, but in the summer it's a must. My dogs are out in the backyard alot and a few times when I have taken them out for walks, they have picked up ticks from sticking their noses in bushes and shrubs. Luckily, I was able to extract them with tweezers easily (one little bugger was actually in the corner of my Silky Terriers eye...thought it was an eye-booger at first  )
Anyway, they get treated every 6-8 weeks during those months which equals about 3-4 treatments a year. Another thing...always go for the lower dosage package..for example...if your dog weighs 23 lbs, get the package marked for dogs 11-22lbs instead of the next one up. And if your dog/cats weight falls in the middle of the dosage weight, you don't have to use the whole thing.
Just one other thing...if your vet should suggest giving your dog/cat a leptospirosis vaccine...run far away...and get yourself a new vet! Around eight years ago, I had two other dogs whose vet talked me into getting them vaccinated for "lepto". I really didn't think it was necessary, but he kept insisting "with the increase of ticks in the area..blah,blah, blah" so I stupidly trusted him and had them both vaccinated. Neither dog was ever the same after  I wish I had known better and did research first, but these were the first two dogs I ever owned, and I always believed that the vet knew best and was looking out for the best interest of all animals...how naive  Whenever I think about it, it absolutely kills me! |
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45, combo skin not sensitive, dark undereye circles - have resigned myself to perfecting concealer application |
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Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:47 pm |
I've owned animals my entire life, and I'm sad to say that I trust vets less and less. There are a few gems out there, but they are so hard to find!
Jala - what happened to your dogs after the Jala shots? Did it make them ill? I'm so sorry your dogs weren't the same after having it.  |
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Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:59 pm |
Hi Jala,
I agree with you about not using frontline in the winter. in fact, i think that i am gonna stop applying frontline on him unless i see fleas. i am looking into more natural alternatives at the moment as suggested by the ladies here. i also hear that grapeseed extract is good for dogs, i forget if it repels pests or keeps skin healthy or both.
Sorry about your experience with the lepto vaccination. I actually don't vaccinate my dog every year. it's been 3 years since his last adult vaccination (adult rabies shot lasts 5 years after the initial first year "puppy" rabies shot). he got super sick after his series of adult shots, and i was so worried and think dosing him with so many vaccines was the problem.
i have read about over vaccinating pets and am scared to hurt my little one. if people don't get vaccinated every year, i don't see why dogs have to (ok, granted that they sniff here and there, everywhere!). my dog is really happy and healthy and i don't plan on taking him to get vaccinated unless it's for his next rabies.
chimera--i totally agree about not trusting most vets. i think it's especially easy for vets to take advantage of pet owners simply because a lot don't educate themselves and animals, are voiceless in a way and can't tell us exactly what is wrong when they're sick.
one of my ex-vets, suggested that a heartworm test be administered on my dog. since i had read about heartworm online (visiting many sites since i like hearing tons of opinions and don't trust everything i read), i knew the chances of getting infecting were miniscule for my area. when i pointed that out to the vet, he agreed and said he had only encountered ONE case in his 8 years of practice in the area but that he always offers it as "total" protection. it's all the money unfortunately.
Kris |
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about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:42 pm |
| chimera wrote: |
I've owned animals my entire life, and I'm sad to say that I trust vets less and less. There are a few gems out there, but they are so hard to find!
Jala - what happened to your dogs after the Jala shots? Did it make them ill? I'm so sorry your dogs weren't the same after having it. |
When I brought them home from the vet's, they were both extremely lethargic and panting heavily. This was not the norm for them...even after a trip to the vet. Even though both dogs were around nine years at the time, they were usually very energetic and healthy dogs. They both slowed down alot after being given the lepto vaccine and there was a noticeable decrease in appetite. Within six months, my German Shepherd had lost control of her bladder, and my Lab had breathing problems and seemed to tire quickly. Both dogs were gone less than two years after getting vaccinated. I had so much guilt about having them vaccinated...still do, really, but all I can do now is just educate myself and try to keep my dogs healthy, safe and happy! |
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45, combo skin not sensitive, dark undereye circles - have resigned myself to perfecting concealer application |
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Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:07 pm |
I am so sorry to hear that, Jala! Please don't feel guilty. You don't know that it was the vaccines that caused this, and even if they did you certainly didn't know it would make your pets sick!
There are so many screw ups in vets offices. I had a friend whose dog was give twice the needed dosage of anesthetic and he passed away in the office after being neutered. Another friend had her dog vaccinated...only they vaccinated her with the same vaccine twice in the same day! Shameful. |
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Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:54 am |
| How awful! You thought you were doing your best for the poor dogs, too. It's not your fault at all, but I do think some vets try and push us into doing things with profit in mind. Makes it very hard to trust them. |
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