Nexgard or Bravecto chewable flea and tick protection
Anyone use these and how safe are they. The Nexgard is once a month and the Bravecto is good for 3 months. The Collie's and I will be in the woods this summer and want some protection.
Forum Discussion
Colliehauler: after we arrived in Florida last November, (and my dogs played in my bro-in-law's flea-ridden backyard for Thanksgiving) we discovered that Jimmy (Aussie/poodle cross) was allergic to Florida flea bites. When the resulting hives had him chewing himself to pieces, we went to a local Vet, and she recommended Bravecto to kill any fleas on him. Of course we had to dose both dogs, since Ben probably had fleas, too.
They showed no side effects from the Bravecto at all, other than a cessation of scratching. During Christmas, we went back to the bro-in-law's house (with much trepidation, I might add). The first time we let the dogs out to play in the backyard, I notice black bits on Jimmy's back, and assumed it was seeds or something, and just brushed it off. The second time he came back in with about a dozen of these bits, I looked closer - and they were dead fleas!!!
I must admit, there's a part of me that wonders how healthy something can be that lasts for months systemically - but hives are probably much more life-threatening; and fleas certainly make them miserable. I don't use Bravecto here in Michigan - we just don't have as many fleas and for whatever reason, they don't give Jimmy hives. But I WILL pick up another dose-per-dog of Bravecto before we head south next fall.
Regarding Jimmy's flea allergies: yes, even with Bravecto, Jimmy still has to be bitten by a flea for it to die; and after our Christmas visit to the bor-in-law, I recognized the onset of hives and treated him with Benadryl for several days, so he was relatively comfortable. But the Bravecto made sure he only got one flea bite per flea, because they died within minutes. And since my bro-in-law has a cat, they've since been treating their yard with flea-killing nematodes (thank you, Mark!) - so hopefully the number of fleas has been considerably reduced.
They showed no side effects from the Bravecto at all, other than a cessation of scratching. During Christmas, we went back to the bro-in-law's house (with much trepidation, I might add). The first time we let the dogs out to play in the backyard, I notice black bits on Jimmy's back, and assumed it was seeds or something, and just brushed it off. The second time he came back in with about a dozen of these bits, I looked closer - and they were dead fleas!!!
I must admit, there's a part of me that wonders how healthy something can be that lasts for months systemically - but hives are probably much more life-threatening; and fleas certainly make them miserable. I don't use Bravecto here in Michigan - we just don't have as many fleas and for whatever reason, they don't give Jimmy hives. But I WILL pick up another dose-per-dog of Bravecto before we head south next fall.
Regarding Jimmy's flea allergies: yes, even with Bravecto, Jimmy still has to be bitten by a flea for it to die; and after our Christmas visit to the bor-in-law, I recognized the onset of hives and treated him with Benadryl for several days, so he was relatively comfortable. But the Bravecto made sure he only got one flea bite per flea, because they died within minutes. And since my bro-in-law has a cat, they've since been treating their yard with flea-killing nematodes (thank you, Mark!) - so hopefully the number of fleas has been considerably reduced.
