Advantix Versus Frontline

[ninaandted]

probably about two years ago I think we changed over from frontline to advantix as the frontline just wasn't keeping the adult fleas off our goldie Ted. he is a massive flea magnet - if there is one within a thousand kilometres it will find him. our vet recommended the change as they said the manufacturers had altered the frontline and it wasn't as effective.

we now seem to have a similar problem but with both dogs this time even though we are using the advantix. I have my suspicions about a section of our yard that is sandy but obviously can't do anything about erradicating them from this area (if that's the problem), or keep the dogs from it 100% of the time, although their access is severly restricted. but I think the advantix isn't "working" anymore.

when we did the change over the results last time were like chalk and cheese and we've managed the problem really well until this last summer. their inside environment is obviously cleaned as much as humanly possible if we find any fleas and we have to do a super duper vacuum every two days anyway.

they get a fortnightly treatment in summer with the advantix as we can't use the tick collars with the kids around and we are in a tick area. in winter I usually cut it back to the once a month. the dogs are also washed fortnightly on the recommendation of the vet for Ted's skin condition. (for Ted anyway and Nina just ends up in the water because she loves getting wet). I wait the 48 hours after washing before putting on the treatment.

obviously all this is costing a fortune because I'm paranoid about them getting a tick - but if it isn't working for the fleas I'm majorly annoyed! as well as the poor dogs suffering unnecessarily.

what are others' experiences with either product at the moment? I'm about to order some more and am wondering if I should try the frontline again instead or if perhaps I'm doing something wrong.

[Rysup]

I wonder if you using it so often is not helping?

I dont use it over winter, and I only use it "as needed" in summer, which probably means every 6 to 8 weeks. Basically when I see a flea, its time to retreat. And I have had no trouble at all. Advantix works well. I wont ever go back to Frontline.

[ninaandted]

the tick protection requires that it be applied fortnightly - it's recommended by the manufacturer but I agree - I was wondering if there is some resistance or something going on.

[Blitza]

i wont ever touch frontline, it simply does not work!, i find advantage type products do including advocate.

[Rysup]

Yeah I know that they say 2 weeks for ticks and 4 weeks for fleas however, I have read *somewhere* that those figures are not really true, and you can double those times. Might have only been for fleas though. I would consider using tick collars for a while, and reducing how often you apply the treatments?

If Advantage/Advantix ever stopped working I dont know what I would do, as Frontline is like pouring a vial of water onto the dog, and the spray isnt much better. I had to use the spray on my last litter, they were only a week or so old and had fleas. Well the spray which is supposed to last like 8 weeks or something, didnt even last 1 week. I have since then worked out that the Advantage on mum would have been a better option than frontline on the babies.

[Crisovar]

Over use of any insecticide in an area will develop resistance over time.

It is a good idea to alternate the products that you use.

Maybe try Permoxin, Fidos Rinse, or the Petway one, the name of which escapes me just now.

[ninaandted]

the extended periods of time do work for the fleas - usually! I don't know about the ticks though and I haven't been game to try as we really are a high tick area - I know so many dog people in our area who have had ticks it isn't funny and our cat picks them up just from our vegie patch.

it looks like I should stick with the advantix though. maybe I'll have to look at options for doing something about the areas in the yard where they might be picking them up - but goodness knows how I'll do that!

crisovar - just read your post - maybe I'll do a bit of a break with those alternatives and go back after a little break.

[Crisovar]

If you are introducing fleas into your environment after walks, boarding, training, visiting etc, maybe a Capstar tablet before you leave home to eliminate them.