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SHRED's avatar
SHRED
Explorer
Mar 01, 2019

Flea and Tick prevention?

We will be traveling for the first time with our 11 pound Shih-Tzu.
We don't have her on any flea protection program as of now.
She has tried Trifexis but got lethargic on it.
What do you all use?

20 Replies

  • I use any Frontline generic on Amazon. Exact same Fipronil medication at about a third off. Its like buying drug store ibuprofen instead of Motrin and getting ripped off for same exact drug. Only rich people or morons buy brand name drugs.
  • I use Advantix but only if it's absolutely necessary. I will usually pick it up at Costco and then take the tubes camping with us. If any sign of a flea, I use the treatment. Otherwise, I leave them alone.

    This has worked well and minimizes the exposure to the chemicals while still providing protection when needed. I usually only need to treat once a year at max.
  • We use permethrin spray. Best place to find it at reasonable cost is a farm or feed store. Good for flies, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks. We use it on clothing when in tick infested areas too.
  • Pawz4me wrote:
    SHRED wrote:


    We are leaning towards Nexgard.
    She's 11 pounds. We're going to ask for the 4-10 pound dose just to be safe.
    Which topical did you try?


    Advantix

    Again--I don't think it's a bad product. It just wasn't good for him. I know it works well for many other dogs.


    Thanks.
    We have Vectra but we're too afraid to try it.
  • SHRED wrote:


    We are leaning towards Nexgard.
    She's 11 pounds. We're going to ask for the 4-10 pound dose just to be safe.
    Which topical did you try?


    Advantix

    Again--I don't think it's a bad product. It just wasn't good for him. I know it works well for many other dogs.
  • Pawz4me wrote:
    Our Shih Tzu has been on Nexgard for about three years. It seems to work well and he tolerates it very well. Prior to Nexgard he had a bad reaction to a spot on product that required multiple vet visits and steroids to get under control. I do not think that product is bad, it was just bad for our particular dog. And FWIW--between the reaction to the spot on product and when I decided to give Nexgard a try I was doing the flea-comb/check-carefully-every-day method. Despite my diligent efforts apparently a tick hitched a ride for long enough to give him a tick borne disease. That wasn't fun, either. So it can be a bit of a risk whatever you try.


    We are leaning towards Nexgard.
    She's 11 pounds. We're going to ask for the 4-10 pound dose just to be safe.
    Which topical did you try?
  • Our Shih Tzu has been on Nexgard for about three years. It seems to work well and he tolerates it very well. Prior to Nexgard he had a bad reaction to a spot on product that required multiple vet visits and steroids to get under control. I do not think that product is bad, it was just bad for our particular dog. And FWIW--between the reaction to the spot on product and when I decided to give Nexgard a try I was doing the flea-comb/check-carefully-every-day method. Despite my diligent efforts apparently a tick hitched a ride for long enough to give him a tick borne disease. That wasn't fun, either. So it can be a bit of a risk whatever you try.
  • DownTheAvenue wrote:
    I use Frontline Plus, but you may not need anything. Why not just see if you really need a preventative? A flea comb may be all that is necessary.


    Thanks. We're in California heading north to Oregon then Idaho. There's a high probability of fleas.
  • I use Frontline Plus, but you may not need anything. Why not just see if you really need a preventative? A flea comb may be all that is necessary.