<p>I feel like every time i put advantix (or frontline) on my dogs i am throwing money down the drain, and poisoning myself to boot. I can’t get enough skin to apply the whole dose so it always looks greasy on the haircoat , gets on my fingers, and they scratch incessantly whether i use it or not. Advice/discuss.</p>
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<p>We switched to comfortis. Once a month pill prescribed by vet.</p>
<p>Hmmm, thanks! I will ask my vet about that alternative.</p>
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<p>I put my dogs on oral meds, partly on the advice of the person who boards the dogs when I travel, because of one dog’s skin condition/scratching. Apparently the once-monthly meds are not as itchy. The dog is on Trifexis, which also includes heartworm meds. My dog is a 16 lb. terrier mix, and I am very happy. It’s pricey, but very easy to deal with – just a chewable pill that the dog likes to eat, one a month. Trifexis has the same flea meds as Comfortis (spinosad), which is what you would want if you didn’t want the heartworm element.</p>
<p>I only have one dog on Trifexis – the other is an 8lb dog who is on NO flea meds at all, just the heartworm, but I haven’t seen any sign of fleas at all in the house or on or near dog #2 since I put dog #1 on Trifexis. My understanding is that Trifexis/Comfortis/spinosad is very toxic to adult fleas, and my dogs share bedding & spend a lot of time in close contact. So it looks like dog #1’s flea toxicity is protecting dog #2 as well. </p>
<p>(I did not have that experience when the dogs were on topical meds like Advantage or Frontline.)</p>
<p>I’m very happy with the oral meds, but it’s best to ask your vet for a single dose as a trial, to make sure your dog tolerates it. The pill should be given with food and the dog should be watched for an hour or so, as some dogs will vomit (My dog has a weak stomach anyway… she’ll even vomit on an empty stomach – but she has never had a problem with the Trifexis). </p>
<p>The oral meds do not protect against ticks, but I do not have much of a tick problem where I live. The dogs only pick up ticks if they walk in or near tall grass, and they are on leash whenever we go out – so I’ve just learned to avoid walking in tick-infested areas. </p>
<p>Are you sure that all of the scratching you are seeing is due to fleas and not other allergens? My itchy/scratchy dog also is on a grain-free diet, and both dogs get salmon oil added to their food – and that has helped tremendously with the scratching. (The grain-free eliminates potential allergens in foods, the salmon oil is good for the skin & coat).</p>
<p>All I know about k9 advantix is I love the commercial.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, Calmom. Mine are on grain free, fish based food already. I did find one flea on one of them awhile ago; i think i got the fleas in the house when i turned my barn cat into a housecat. Now she is on the topical stuff also, i’ve been vacuuming every 3 days, and i used a premise spray on the carpets and dog beds. I have not had any fleabites on me, and i have not seen any on the pets in 2 months, but still they scratch! Could be winter dry skin i suppose. I just hate using the topical stuff. </p>
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