What do you think about the new oral flea preventative, Comfortis?

[RLC12345678]

My vet said he highly recommended it especially for dogs that like water as much as labradors. He said that even though Frontline claims that it doesn't wash off in water, washing off at least at little is inevitable, which causes it to lose effectiveness. What are your opinions on it? http://www.comfortis4dogs.com/

[shanesmom]

Sounds good. I have always had my doubts as to whether the topicals really stay on our water loving babies.

[Heather]

I don't really like it because it doesn't do ticks... and ticks are more a worry for me than fleas.

That said, I really don't like the application of chemicals (interanal or external) and would watch my dogs for the side effects: nausea, vomiting, inappetance, lethargy, etc.

I also don't like the fact that all dogs experienced, "mild ALT elevation." They did say that the levels returned to normal after 24 days... but you'd have to give another tablet at the 30 day mark.... I'd worry about long term liver problems with constently elevated ALT levels.

The Comfortis safety label can be found here:
http://www.comfortis4dogs.com/_layou...duct-label.pdf

So what is an alternative or is there not one??? I had asked in another thread if they do need it every month.

[Heather]

Looking at chemical studies (and reading in the Whole Dog Journal) I would prefer to use Fipronil externally (the chemical in Frontline).

These days I don't use chemicals flea/tick preventatives. The last dosage my guys got of Frontline was 12/2006. I have been using the Bug Off Garlic from Springtime, Inc since then.

[Toby'sMom]

Originally Posted by Heather

Looking at chemical studies (and reading in the Whole Dog Journal) I would prefer to use Fipronil externally (the chemical in Frontline).

These days I don't use chemicals flea/tick preventatives. The last dosage my guys got of Frontline was 12/2006. I have been using the Bug Off Garlic from Springtime, Inc since then.

How is that working for you?
Are you in a high flea / tick area?

[Toby'sMom]

I generally stay away from new chemicals and see how others do on them first. My animals have enough health issues, I don't need them to be lab rats too!

Maybe you should post the question to see how effective frontline has been with people who's labs swim regularly.

You might be pleasantly surprised.

Your vet might just be pushing his new product.

[Heather]

I live in a lake and never had an issue with Fleas/Ticks while on Frontline. I do live in a majorly huge tick area- 3000 acres of undeveloped land. We are one of two houses on the place.

I went to the garlic on a lark after one of my dogs was diagnosed with cancer. A good friend of mine suggested it and I researched it and was comfortable making the move.... I haven't found a tick on my dogs ever since.

[Toby'sMom]

Originally Posted by Heather

I live in a lake and never had an issue with Fleas/Ticks while on Frontline. I do live in a majorly huge tick area- 3000 acres of undeveloped land. We are one of two houses on the place.

I went to the garlic on a lark after one of my dogs was diagnosed with cancer. A good friend of mine suggested it and I researched it and was comfortable making the move.... I haven't found a tick on my dogs ever since.

Oh -- that's great that it works so well with the ticks!

I currently use frontline plus. But I hate using these chemicals.
But on the other hand, one of my dogs is a therapy dog, and i can't have him covered with parasites. We live in a very high tick and flea area -- (long island)

Do you know how it works for fleas as well?

[RLC12345678]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it!!!!! I haven't had the dogs on any flea/tick medication since last summer but I saw a flea on one of my yorkies yesterday and all 4 have been scratching so I think they all need a dose of flea medication now that the weather has warmed up. I live in Alabama, where the fleas/ticks are bad during the summer since it never really gets cold enough here in the winter. I'll just go with the Frontline for now.

[Lab Trio]

When we first got Harley 5 years ago the vet recommended we use frontline plus on her monthly in the summer. The very first dose she had a very bad reaction to it and ended up at the EM. They shaved her neck and it was unbelievable.
I said not again. She was miserable.
So needless to say, my girls do not get any flea/tick preventive. We always treat the yard good every year and they are in the pool everyday in the spring/summer. We have not seen any fleas or ticks on them.
Cheyenne and Cocoa have never been treated.
I agree with some of the above post, you may want to ask around. for dogs that stay in the water alot I am not sure it would work that well anyway.

[ZenCat]

I haven't read up on it, but I can't see myself ever using an oral flea preventive with my dogs, since I'm even reluctant to use a topical.

Luckily I haven't had to use anything at all for many years!

[uplander]

You asked !!

I find it a horrible solution. You are putting poison into rather than on your dog.
If you want rid of fleas use Frontline Plus. Works on fleas for three months, if ticks are an issue I believe it's every3-4 weeks.

Many people who Frontline also use Zodiac Spray when going into the woods and the combo is ok.

The ingredient in Frontline seems to be the least toxic for dogs. None of this stuff is good.. But Lyme disease is worse.

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Heather

I also don't like the fact that all dogs experienced, "mild ALT elevation." They did say that the levels returned to normal after 24 days... but you'd have to give another tablet at the 30 day mark.... I'd worry about long term liver problems with constently elevated ALT levels.

I just read that article, and the only dogs that experienced "mild ALT elevation" were the dogs in the tolerance study who were given 16.7 times the maximum recommended monthly dose. The dogs who were given the regular recommended monthly dose did not have that experience.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

I just read that article, and the only dogs that experienced "mild ALT elevation" were the dogs in the tolerance study who were given 16.7 times the maximum recommended monthly dose. The dogs who were given the regular recommended monthly dose did not have that experience.

You are correct- thanks for catching that. Just another reason that multi-tasking is not always a perfect solution.