Flea and Tick Prevention Options

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

30 Aug 2007 03:02 PM

There are lots of choices when it comes to flea and tick prevention. Here's a look at five popular choices that you may find at your veterinarian's office or local pet store.

• Frontline -- available as Frontline Top Spot and Frontline Plus for both dogs and cats. Both versions contain fipronil to kill fleas and ticks. Frontline Plus also contains an insect growth regulator that takes care of fleas and ticks from egg to larvae to adult. Liquid is applied monthly between the shoulders; controls ticks for one month and fleas for up to three months. Water resistant. Safe for use on puppies and kittens as young as eight weeks old. Frontline is also now available as a spray.
• Bio Spot -- available as Bio Spot Spot On for both dogs and cats and Bio Spot Collars. Spot On contains an insect growth regulator to prevent eggs from developing into biting adults. Applied monthly; protects against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes for up to four weeks. Collars provide five months of flea and tick protection and even work when wet. Safe for use on puppies and kittens as young as twelve weeks old.
• Preventic -- available as Preventic Tick Collar for dogs. Provides three months of tick protection. Contains amitraz to control ticks. Within 48 hours, 99% of existing ticks are eliminated. Safe for use on puppies as young as twelve weeks; not for use on any cats.
• K9 Advantix -- contains imidacloprid and perethrin to deal with parasites. Applied monthly; protects against fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes in less than five minutes. Water resistant. Safe for use on puppies as young as seven weeks.
• Advantage -- contains imidacloprid to kill fleas. Applied monthly; protects against fleas within twelve hours. Also inhibits larvae development around the dog. Water resistant. Safe for use on puppies as young as seven weeks.

Looking at prices, you can expect to pay more for Frontline, Advantage, and K9 Advantix -- a six month supply can cost as much as $80 at your veterinarian's office or your favorite pet store. You can always shop around for the best prices online, but keep in mind that you'll also end up paying for shipping.

Looking for something more natural? Look here.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Courtney Mroch (9169) 03 Sep 2007 03:25 PM

A neighbor across the street started using the spray-on variety of Frontline because it was a little cheaper overall. (Got more and it lasted longer for less price.)

HOWEVER, she's since discontinued using it because Otis would get nuts when she sprayed it. He'd run and roll in the dirt and rub up against the bushes and even the side of the house. He never did that with the kind in the little bottle, and she couldn't figure it out. Until she accidentally sprayed some on her and it burned like crazy. She felt so bad and promised Otis she wouldn't use it on him anymore. He's very content she went back to the other kind from what I hear. =)