Frontline Plus and ticks

[Jerry_NJ]

I have used Frontline on my dogs for years, but seem to be getting failures lately on my mixed breed Chihuahua Jasper. In the last month, has been rather warm in NJ, I have found what I believe to be dead tics on his head, around ears.  The tics must have been dead for a long time (can't even make a guess at a number) I didn't even recognize it as a tick as it was small and hard, totally dehydrated/brittle/crumbled.  

Is it possible I found dead tics that were killed by Frontline, but not until the tic had embedded itself in the dog?  What should I be on guard for?  The dog seems normal, no sickness I can see.

[tonyb286]

You may not be too surprised that I did a full piece on it a while back, including mentioning some of the alternatives ...

http://www.infobarrel.com/The_Dangers_of_Flea_and_Tick_Treatments_for_Dogs

Dematiaceous Earth is potentially the best option for internal and external parasites, but even that is a bit unpredictable.

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/benefits-diatomaceous-earth/

It doesn't work on tics though, which are stubborn little devils. I've heard good things about Apple Cider Vinegar as a preventative measure. There's more here:

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/natural-solutions-tick-season/

Tony

[tonyb286]

Hi Jerry. Yeah, it's an increasing problem and many are resorting to "natural" remedies, but often don't realise some of the most severe poisons in the world are "natural" plant extracts. That said, there are some safer options than spot-ons like Frontline, but you do need to apply them every day during the seasonal tick periods.

Tony

[Jerry_NJ]

Hi Tony, can you provide or point to (web) any of the "safer options than spot-ons"  Thanks,
Merry Christmas

[Jerry_NJ]

Thanks, that must be the problem as Jasper had FL on only a day or two before the tick site was found.  He seems to be fine now and hopefully the NJ weather will return to normal and give a few months relief from tics.  Unfortunately NJ has a big problem with Lyme disease.  

[tonyb286]

Hi Jerry. Good to see you are still posting and replying. Frontline - like all spot-on treatments - are really very good at dealing with infestations, but extraordinarily dangerous (my opinion) due to accidental overdosing and the transfer of the poison to other companion animals through licking or direct contact. While these products are considered "reasonably" safe, this is only when owners are meticulous in giving no more than the right dose AND when other dogs and cats are kept away from the treated animal for a minimum of 24hrs.

I did a whole article on this subject, which you may want to have a read of:

http://www.infobarrel.com/The_Dangers_of_Flea_and_Tick_Treatments_for_Dogs

The manufacturers were so pressurised by the deaths of dogs and cats directly due to accidental overdose, they were forced into reducing the potency of their spot-on products a couple of years ago. The result is that none of them work as well and in some cases, don't work at all, because the poison is not as strong and doesn't kill the lava or eggs. Ticks are particularly resistent.

Tony

[Jerry_NJ]

Thanks, and I recognized when I did one of my now rare logons here that yor are active and well.. thanks for the input on dead tics ... yes small a very dried, so much so I though it was a scab from some impact wound, say.  I then noticed there was some loss of hair and, indeed, a healing-type scab formation.. that is mostly gone now, but, bang, another one.  During the summer I'd spot tics on his fur and picked them off, and with my pocket scissors knife cut the little bug in half.  Figured it was then safe to return the tic to the environment ; 0 )

[JanisM13]

Hi Jerry,how the heck are you,just got busy doing the last
things before the snows came...give sweet Jasper a HUG.
It is normal sometimes to find dead fleas or even ticks on
a dog when flea/tick products are applied,it doesn't stop
the ticks from biting, but it does kill the ticks very quickly.
You should only find small, dead and dried up ticks on
your dog as you described,fleas would be very small so
you'd comb them out with a flea comb rather than see
them like you would a tick.
If you wanted,you could also give little Jasper a bath to
remove any dead ticks or fleas,wash them away but he
wouldn't need a bath more than every 2 to 3 weeks,more
often could dry out his skin and coat.
I am sure Jasper is just fine and the Frontline seems to be
working the way it should.
Jan ;)