frazzledspice's Full Review: Frontline Top Spot for Dogs
Before the Revolution, I used Frontline flea and tick spot application, applied transdermally to Sandy's skin once a month.
We adopted Sandy four years ago, and he came with some surprises--fleas, ticks, worms, and kennel croup. They were a surprise to me, although the vet said I should have expected as much, shaking her head at my naivete.
I rushed home, but it was too late. The invasion had reached our home full force. My son's legs were covered with bites, and soon we were all shaking our heads and scratching.
Fleas, by virtue of their amazing fertility, are one of the worst pests your pet can acquire. And our sweet Sandy had been in the house two days, after having traveled in the car for half an hour.
We sprayed the car. We hired an exterminator for the house. Our Heinz 57 dog cost us $200 in medical bills, not counting the flea bomb for the car or the exterminator for the house.
Poor Sandy....I was so busy fighting the invasion I didn't even think about his discomfort. That was our last invasion of fleas, thanks to the new monthly flea control products that had just been invented.
The first two years we used a monthly pill, and I can't remember who made it. Last year, we used Frontline for fleas and ticks. It was easy to use--break open the tube, part the fur between the shoulder blades, and apply to the back of the neck. It was important not to wash the dog for a few days before, since Frontline blended with the natural oils in the dog's skin, and not to wash the dog for a few days after.
Sandy never had any side effects, and never had any fleas or ticks. The product was fairly expensive--about $70 for a six months' supply, but, compared to the cost of exterminating a house, it was reasonable. (Our dog uses the large size.) We also spent another $70 or so for a six months' supply of heartworm medication.
When we lived in South Dakota, our "country vet" gave us a money-saving tip. She told us that we only had to use Frontline and heartworm medication until the first frost, and that we could stop using it until the spring thaw was under way. In South Dakota, that saved us quite a bit (in Arkansas, it saves us quite a bit less!)
By signing up at the Frontline website, pet owners can receive monthly e-mail reminders when it's time to reapply their pets' medication.
Until this year, I would have highly recommended Frontline to everyone. But this year, I'm trying another product.
It's called Revolution, and our new vet in Arkansas recommended it to us. It's also applied transdermally once a month, and it also costs about $70 for a six month supply. It's an all-in-one medication that protects dogs against fleas, ticks, heartworm, parasites, and ear mites. Pet pharmacology has become a fast-changing market. And both of these products are prescription drugs, only available through veterinary hospitals.
I just brought Sandy to the kennel while we're on vacation. Our kennel, which runs a "doggie day care" and includes lots of yard play, told me that their customers haven't had good luck with Revolution. It's worked for me so far, but if it doesn't survive the kennel test, I'll be going back to Frontline.
The pest-control medication that I want to use on my dog is the one that provides the most protection at the lowest cost, and if an all-in-one spot application does that, that's what I'll use.
Only time will tell whether Frontline will hold its vanguard position as a flea protectant, or whether Revolution will knock it off its throne.
For dogs 23-44 lbs. 3, 0.045 fl. oz. applicators. Spot treatment for fast acting, long-lasting control of fleas and ticks. Kills newly emerged adult f...More at eBay
Superior flea and tick protection with spot-on convenience. Frontline Top Spot For Dogs provides fast-acting, long lasting control of fleas and ticks!...More at SmartPak Canine
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