I have been able to be mostly blissfully unaware of flea and tick products for the extent of my dog ownership. Until last summer, I had never once found a deer tick on my dogs (and only 3 times ever found the big wood ticks on them), and we've never had an issue with fleas. All of a sudden last summer, the dogs and I both were coming home with a few deer ticks here and there. Mostly I got them off the dogs pre-attachment, a few were attached but didn't seem engorged...but obviously I missed one at some point, because Gusto is positive for Lyme now. Completely asymptomatic, as far as I can tell. It was just found at his spring exam.
While I wait on the results of the second test, I'm trying to formulate a game plan for this summer. The vet said that around here, Frontline is basically useless, Advantix still seems to work fairly well, and mostly she suggested the Serestro collar. I actually liked the idea of the collar until I found out they have to wear it all the time. Among other things, the dogs MUST have collars off for agility, and I can't tell from the pictures of they would be an easy on/off collar. I also can't wrap my head around Gusto sleeping under my covers with me wearing it. Also my big issue with the Advantix sort of treatments. That oily residue grosses me out, and I really don't want to be snuggling with it. And my dogs snuggle constantly.
I have friends who swear by a locally made spray, which might be an option, but even after Gusto plays with her dogs when they have it on, he requires multiple baths to get it out of his hair. It is super oily and smells and ugh. I know there is at least one brand of horse fly repellent that also works on ticks and is labeled for use on dogs as well. I suspect I will have the same issue with that.
Looking at some old threads, a few people mentioned chews; I know the tech today briefly mentioned Bravecto. I think Nexgard is the one I saw mentioned here. Has anyone had success with those?
So...brilliant thoughts? I know some other regions have been dealing with tick issues a lot longer than we have, so I'm hoping someone can shed some light on what has and hasn't worked for them.
While I wait on the results of the second test, I'm trying to formulate a game plan for this summer. The vet said that around here, Frontline is basically useless, Advantix still seems to work fairly well, and mostly she suggested the Serestro collar. I actually liked the idea of the collar until I found out they have to wear it all the time. Among other things, the dogs MUST have collars off for agility, and I can't tell from the pictures of they would be an easy on/off collar. I also can't wrap my head around Gusto sleeping under my covers with me wearing it. Also my big issue with the Advantix sort of treatments. That oily residue grosses me out, and I really don't want to be snuggling with it. And my dogs snuggle constantly.
I have friends who swear by a locally made spray, which might be an option, but even after Gusto plays with her dogs when they have it on, he requires multiple baths to get it out of his hair. It is super oily and smells and ugh. I know there is at least one brand of horse fly repellent that also works on ticks and is labeled for use on dogs as well. I suspect I will have the same issue with that.
Looking at some old threads, a few people mentioned chews; I know the tech today briefly mentioned Bravecto. I think Nexgard is the one I saw mentioned here. Has anyone had success with those?
So...brilliant thoughts? I know some other regions have been dealing with tick issues a lot longer than we have, so I'm hoping someone can shed some light on what has and hasn't worked for them.