Using Frontline in FL
No problems with our two little ones yet but can't say the same for other people with pets in the park. Fleas for some now ticks as well and when they have gone to the vet here in FL they're told tha...
Forum Discussion
s N s wrote:
Thanks for the responses so far. The question I have though is why do they sell a product that really shouldn't be used in a specific area of the country. You would think that the mfr. of that product would adjust whatever they put in it to take care of the problem in a specific area of the country. Sure sounds like they're making a whole lot of money for a product thatbdoesnabsolutely nothing. JMHO
Frontline is a brand name that has had many versions, the latest is Tritak. The earlier versions are available in generic form and are sold many places. One reason the generics (and the earliest Frontline versions) are sold everywhere is that newer products have replaced them and have a better efficacy.
While there may be regional differences, the effectiveness of all topical brands have a similar pattern and differ only in total initial effectiveness and length of duration.
Most have somewhere between 80-99% initial kill rate (depending on brand and parasite population) within the first few days. The kill rate decreases every day from there on out until they are pretty ineffective by 3-4 weeks out. The initial kill as well as the fall rate of effectiveness is what we see as "not working."
Sometimes the lack of effect has to do with owner error, they use the wrong size for the dog or don't get the medication on the skin and distributed optimally.
It isn't cost effective for these companies to go through the FDA and/or EPA approval for multiple products to account for regional differences.
If you are having problem with parasite control, I urge you to talk to your local vet to find solutions. If you are having problems, other are too and your vet probably has a handle on ways to attack the problem.
Doug, DVM
