DD’s little dog had an almost fatal reaction to the K9 Advantix she had been using for years. Now we need to find a safer alternative to the chemicals. Has anyone used one that actually worked?
Are you looking for a natural alternative or are you still willing to use a prescription medication? My dogs had an adverse reaction to the spot treatment we’d be using (wheezing and throat constriction) so we switched to a chewable - NexGard - that they’ve done very well on. I’m not aware of any effective natural remedies.
Just switched my dogs to Bravecto. It’s like a chewable tablet and lasts for 90 days. Our vet recommended it. My dogs also had a bad reaction to the spot treatment, so I had been using the tick collars on them. But since they like to go in the water in the summer, the collars were a pain. Plus I didn’t like the chemicals on them… We live in the south, so tick control is a constant issue here.
I also use NexGard.
We’d used Frontline Plus for years without any issues, then switched to Frontline Tritak - that’s what triggered the reaction. The dogs love the NexGard - they think it’s a treat. Flea and tick control is a year-round issue here - I don’t like having to treat them, but flea infestation is so challenging to eliminate and Lyme disease is easier to prevent than to treat.
We use diatemaceous (sp?) earth and a natural blend of Peppermint Oil and Clove Extract (Vet’s Best Natural Formulas is the brand).
That being said, our dog does not spend much time outside. I’m fanatical about watching for fleas because I’m allergic to the bites (or at least I react to them), and we’ve never had a problem. I think I’ve pulled one tick off her and it was still crawling around, not attached yet.
We see a holistic vet (she’s a full DVM from a very good school) and we follow that protocol. I think if you try to straddle the holistic and the mainstream veterinary world it’s tougher. So take my comments with a grain of salt and definitely seek qualified, professional advice.
ETA: I have never given my dog any of the commercial edible flea/tick products.
Thanks for the feedback. She’ll talk to the vet but it is good to know hat has worked for others.
just bought these H3D O’Tom Tick Twister tick removal tools after watching their video
My 7 lb chihuahua has been on Trifexis for years with no issues, as has our 13 lb miniature poodle.
Trifexis has the really cool (nerd alert) spinosad anti-insect/parasite medicine in it. Spinosad was discovered at an abandoned rum factory in Puerto Rico-botanists noticed that the flora surrounding the factory was exceptionally healthy and pest free, and discovered a naturally occurring compound that’s a by-product of rum production was the source of the healthy fauna. It’s pretty cool stuff.
I haven’t use any products in years…for some reason, we haven’t had fleas at all since we were sprayed or gypsy moths 9 years ago. We do however deal with ticks from time to time so I am interest in the med listed by luder16
@SouthFloridaMom9 What does your holistic vet recommend for heartworm prevention, if anything? The same spray?
@Midwest67 this is scary but we do not do any commercial heart worm prevention.
Again, I work very closely with my holistic vet so this is not a DIYer type thing.
My pup has tested positive for Lyme. He is just finishing his course of antibiotic but isn’t presenting with any symptoms. Anybody have a dog with Lyme? Will he have problems later in life?
Anybody have suggestions for cats?
My big dog who lived until age 16 tested positive for Lyme when she was about 10. Never had any symptoms and was never given any antibiotics after testing positive. And 16 is quite old for a big dog.
Purely anecdotal but I thought I read somewhere that dogs don’t react the same way to Lyme that we do. ??
Obviously I’m not an expert! Sounds like a good question for my holistic vet.
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My 7 lb chihuahua has been on Trifexis for years with no issues, as has our 13 lb miniature poodle.
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Good to know about small dogs. I have a 4lb dog and always worried about what she’s given since many things say for “5lbs or more”. When she was really tiny, the vet had to dilute her “spot” flea meds. I’d like to go with chewables because she has a lot of hair and spot treatments tend to start failing around the mid-month mark.
I’m always worried about anything pets are given because dogs seem so prone to cancer. My older dog, a 14 year doxie, has had two bouts with cancer. I’m trying to be more cautious with my much younger little dog.
That is good to hear that your dog had no problems once diagnosed with Lyme @emilybee. My guy is a rescue and he deserves a long, happy and healthy life.
A friends dog (a rescue) was diagnosed with Lyme disease. A couple months after they got her she developed a horrible fever and was very sick. It took a while to diagnose since it isn’t common around here. She recovered and was 100% and the whole thing happened again. They thought maybe they didn’t do the antibiotic long enough the first time. She seems fine now.
Almost lost one of our retrievers to Lyme. Attacked her nervous system. Lost control of front legs and then back legs pretty quickly. When they finally figured it out they were able to save her.
She did have intermittent problems after that as the vets had warned. Great dog. Lived to 16.