Flea control

[Bluebells]

I’ve read several threads about flea control, but they were all fairly old, and new products seem to hit the market regularly. What does everyone here use for flea/tick control. For background, for anyone who doesn’t have time to read my intro in the General Discussion forum, Jax is between seven and eight months old and weighs about four pounds. He hasn’t been trained to potty outside yet, so he only goes out for walks on a leash. (I live in a rural area with lots of predators, so being off leash isn’t an option.)

About two months ago (not long before we were put under stay at home orders), the vet tech (not the vet) at my vet’s office tried to talk me into a seresto collar, which they had “on sale” at the time, but I told her I wanted to research it first. What I read made me a little leery. The collars seem generally safe, but most of the bad reactions are in small dogs (or seniors), and Jax is small. Also, it seems the collar would be less effective on a long haired dog.

What works for your smaller yorkies?

[Lovetodream88]

Absolutely don't use trifexis because it is deadly and unsafe. I use nexguard and personally love it. I have never had a single issue with it and my vet uses it. My yorkies are bigger but I used it on them when they were small puppies with no issues. I don't really like topical treatments because they have a chemical in it that can make the dog feel like something is crawling on them and trying not to touch it and when to schedule bath time or swimming around it was a pain. You also need to make sure you are giving something for heartworms.

[matese]

I have been using Simparica foe 3 or 4 years, no side affects and works. My pup weighs 12 pounds.

[Bella7808]

Hi just sharing, our vet prescribed Revolution for Bella, a ready to use solution in single dose tubes for topical (dermal) treatment for the warm months from May to Oct. It covers heartworms, heartworm diseases, fleas, ear mites, etc. Bella has been on it from when she was 4 months old and 3 pounds and she's now 2 years old and 7 pounds, with no side effects.

Bella was at the vet recently for her yearly health check up exam, vaccine shot and also had her first heartworm test done and the results were negative. I know she is doing well on it and I'm glad.

[nanajoy]

We do not use any flea controls, just interceptor plus for heart and other worms, but have never had a flea problem. We do use Minksheen shampoo, which is advertised to repel fleas, during the heavy flea season and if we are travelling with the boys. It seems to do the trick!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Bella7808

Hi just sharing, our vet prescribed Revolution for Bella, a ready to use solution in single dose tubes for topical (dermal) treatment for the warm months from May to Oct. It covers heartworms, heartworm diseases, fleas, ear mites, etc. Bella has been on it from when she was 4 months old and 3 pounds and she's now 2 years old and 7 pounds, with no side effects.

Bella was at the vet recently for her yearly health check up exam, vaccine shot and also had her first heartworm test done and the results were negative. I know she is doing well on it and I'm glad.

Heartworm prevention really should be given year round.

[Bella7808]

That's interesting. Our vet never mentioned using Revolution year round, maybe it's because 'We the North' (had to say that phrase thinking of our Toronto Raptor's Basketball Championship last year, we are so proud of them!)

Anyways I believe that he must think it's not needed when our weather temperatures start to drop down in November. Our Canadian winter months can get quite cold here. Also Bella won't walk outside when it's cold and stays mostly indoor during the winter, he is aware of that too.

However I will check with our vet at Bella's next appointment.
Thank you.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Bella7808

Hi just sharing, our vet prescribed Revolution for Bella, a ready to use solution in single dose tubes for topical (dermal) treatment for the warm months from May to Oct. It covers heartworms, heartworm diseases, fleas, ear mites, etc. Bella has been on it from when she was 4 months old and 3 pounds and she's now 2 years old and 7 pounds, with no side effects.

Bella was at the vet recently for her yearly health check up exam, vaccine shot and also had her first heartworm test done and the results were negative. I know she is doing well on it and I'm glad.

In the US heart worm prevention is given year round, once a month for 12 months.

[nanajoy]

Although I have lived in Florida for nearly twenty years and dose year-round, when I lived in upstate NY our vet took them off meds during the cold months. It was the practice in our area then. I believe it has changed to year-round now.

[matese]

Originally Posted by nanajoy

Although I have lived in Florida for nearly twenty years and dose year-round, when I lived in upstate NY our vet took them off meds during the cold months. It was the practice in our area then. I believe it has changed to year-round now.

You are right, when heart worm preventive first came out it was given for only 6 months, in warmer weather, that changed years ago, now its year round. If you stopped giving it, then take it upon yourself to start it again, it can be fatal to your dog.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Bella7808

That's interesting. Our vet never mentioned using Revolution year round, maybe it's because 'We the North' (had to say that phrase thinking of our Toronto Raptor's Basketball Championship last year, we are so proud of them!)

Anyways I believe that he must think it's not needed when our weather temperatures start to drop down in November. Our Canadian winter months can get quite cold here. Also Bella won't walk outside when it's cold and stays mostly indoor during the winter, he is aware of that too.

However I will check with our vet at Bella's next appointment.
Thank you.

Just being indoors doesn’t keep them safe from heart worms. The weather can but if your dog is bitten the last month you give it in order to kill the larvae the prevention would have to be given again and if you don’t then you could end up with full worms by the time you treat again which if it kills the worms could send them through her arteries and block them and then kill her. I wouldn’t stop just because of weather. You might really want to look into it.