K9 Advantix versus Frontline Plus (topicals) versus Comfortis (oral) (veterinarians, skin, train)

[titaniummd]

1800PetMeds.com

I am debating upon what I should use for Flea prevention. Our predominantly indoor dog (except for 2 mile walks/day) uses Frontline Plus. I was about to order from an online website and saw K9 Advantix was preferred by Veterinarians (according to 800petmeds).

Frontline Plus stops development but does not repel Fleas. The opposite is true for K9. The Prices are comparable.

I have read some bad side effects from users through Amazon.com which I do place some degree of weight (one bad side effect is enough for even one family to suffer through - We never had issues with Frontline Plus).

I also looked into the oral version Comfortis. Any experiences?

What is the consensus here?

[teatime]

Frontline Plus had always worked really well but then when I took the gang in for checkups, she noticed a sizable lump in between the shoulder blades of two of my dogs. It didn't appear to be a bite, and it seemed odd that two of them would have the lump in the same area! I posited that maybe it was from the Frontline. She wanted to biopsy the lumps, etc. and I told her that I would stop using Frontline and see if that made a difference before resorting to biopsies and such.

Yep, the lumps went away after I stopped Frontline. I switched to K-9 Advantix which I didn't find to work nearly as well on ticks. (We have a big problem with ticks here in Texas.) Any of them worked fine with fleas but ticks are especially difficult. So, now I'm using Preventix collars and Biospot drops. That may seem drastic but it's working and the dogs haven't had any problems or lumps.

I'm not familiar with the oral medication you mentioned. I used Revolution in the past and it was OK but, again, it didn't work on ticks.

(Are you ordering from 1-800-Pet Meds??? You might want to shop around, as I've found they are far more expensive than other websites and catalogues. Drs. Foster and Smith is great and I recently ordered generic Heartgard from petshed.com. I know other folks have their favorite websites, too.)

[dreamhunter65]

I just bought something from Walmart (not meant to be a high-jack ) made by sergeanst that am going to try as usually use Frontline plus but getting so costly with 7 dogs. Nature's Guardian Natural Flea and Tick med.
Says Kills and Repels Fleas,Ticks,and Mosquitoes with Natural ingredients.

Anyone used this? Figured worth a try and if works alot cheaper as paid think was like 10.00 for 3 tubes.
Has peppermint oil 3%,cinnamon oil 4.5%,lemon grass oil 4.5%,clove oil 5%,thyme oil 5%.
Other ingredients Vanillin,Isopropyl Myristate.
Safe for use around children and Pets.
Spice scented.

[teatime]

Originally Posted by dreamhunter65

I just bought something from Walmart (not meant to be a high-jack ) made by sergeanst that am going to try as usually use Frontline plus but getting so costly with 7 dogs. Nature's Guardian Natural Flea and Tick med.
Says Kills and Repels Fleas,Ticks,and Mosquitoes with Natural ingredients.

Anyone used this? Figured worth a try and if works alot cheaper as paid think was like 10.00 for 3 tubes.
Has peppermint oil 3%,cinnamon oil 4.5%,lemon grass oil 4.5%,clove oil 5%,thyme oil 5%.
Other ingredients Vanillin,Isopropyl Myristate.
Safe for use around children and Pets.
Spice scented.

I've seen that and wondered about it. PLEASE let us know how it works for you as I would definitely be interested in using a less toxic method for my gang!

[dreamhunter65]

Will do not til beginning of month but I be good test as train in woods with large tick infestation area. Went on search without dogs other day and in 2 1/2 hours had 14 wood ticks and 3 bear ticks on me.
Frontline says nothing about Mosquitoes either where as this does.

[dreamhunter65]

Tried this tonight smell is ok a bit strong but, not to overpowering.
Noticed dogs do not try to rub it off like the frontline makes them do.

[plf86]

The fleas are starting to develop resistance to both of them now.

[titaniummd]

I went to Petco yesterday and I saw that there were 'cheaper alternatives' like Biospot but it didn't mention that they were 'waterproof'.

Is that why the price is nearly four times greater?

[Keeper]

I asked about Comfortis yesterday while at the Vets, since I hadn't seen it before. She said it is oral med and does not kill ticks, but it will kill fleas within 20 minutes after taking it. Last for a month
Per their website..
The most common adverse reaction recorded during clinical trials was vomiting. Other adverse reactions were decreased appetite, lethargy, redness of the skin, hyperactivity and excessive salivation

I am trying the Brewer's yeast and garlic to see how that works. I am just leery of oral meds, since they already take the heartworm preventative

[PudelPie]

I have heard HORRIBLE things about Comfortis...the woman who runs a local natural pet food supply store has forwarded info about it, which I'll post when I get home and can access my personal email. In the meantime, don't buy it...wait!!

~PudelPie