Lu&Katsmom wrote:

Glad she is feeling better! Hopefully your vet will not continue to carry that product. We have had good luck with Frontline. Tried Advantix but it made Luka super itchy. What we do is buy the 44-88lb dose, and split it between the two dogs, since Luka is just 45lbs, and their combined weight is less than 88. I use to get 6 months of free frontline per year when I worked at a vets office, and this is what the techs and vets did if they had more than one dog. The three vets I worked with said it was safe, but for legal reasons could never suggest it to a client.

Are Kat and Luka about the same weight or close? I would look at splitting a dose between my 2 but there's a 20 lb difference between Ginger and Storm - would that matter?

There is about a 10-12lb difference between the two. Their combined weight fluctuates between 75-80lbs. Since there is more of a weight difference between your two, I would just give Storm a bit more than Ginger. If their combined weight is over 88, you could go to the next dosage level, which is 88-132. As long as you have enough product to cover their combined weight, I wouldn't worry, I would just give Ginger less.

I've never used any form of flea or tick prevention. I'm allergic to the pesticides as is Koda so they're not an option, and I've never used a natural remedy either. Are they even really an issue in your area Claudia?

So glad she's ok, Claudia! We've been giving the dogs Trifexis (flea plus heartworm meds) and they've been doing great. I'll never apply a topical again after it dripped onto our floor and ate through the finish/dark stain!

Claudia, what if you just used diatomaceous (sp?) earh a few times a month in their coats, just in case? Rather than using topicals. And when you vacuum us it as well? No chemicals, no problem.

I am so glad she is better!

Heather! wrote:

I've never used any form of flea or tick prevention. I'm allergic to the pesticides as is Koda so they're not an option, and I've never used a natural remedy either. Are they even really an issue in your area Claudia?

I don't think it's an issue at home, but it's when we go hiking, we usually end up in the trees for part of a hike. What I don't know is how much chance I would be taking to them ending up with a tick (not so much fleas) going hiking during the summer months if they are unprotected.

I think Jenn would be able to answer this question as she goes hiking almost every weekend during the summer, and I don't believe S&J are on any flea protection.

I just think it's not worth the risk. I personally know too many dogs who have died from pesticides, so... if Jenn is tick and flea free I think you'd be good haha.

Why yes heather I am flea and tick free so is S&J.
Claudia, with our hiking most of the time we are just at tree line or above, so no danger of ticks. When we do go camping I just try to really look them over for any ticks, I have never found one, I think eddy has found like one. If I was back in PA I would for sure use somthing as a walk in the woods would result in like 5 ticks but in CO I have not had one on me.

Just something to consider. If I was back in North Carolina or something I would use a natural remedy, but I've never really been worried here or in AZ. Honestly, I'd rather pick off a tick than put pesticides on my dog. The risks are too much for me.

That's so scary, but I'm glad that Ginger's feeling better. We sell Certifect where I work at and haven't had any complaints about it, but I've always been wary of it because Ava's had reactions to Frontline and I can't imagine what she would do with a "stronger" version of it. Ick.

Are you submitting a case with Merial about it?

jbealer wrote:

Why yes heather I am flea and tick free so is S&J.
Claudia, with our hiking most of the time we are just at tree line or above, so no danger of ticks. When we do go camping I just try to really look them over for any ticks, I have never found one, I think eddy has found like one. If I was back in PA I would for sure use somthing as a walk in the woods would result in like 5 ticks but in CO I have not had one on me.

So you're hiking majority of the time above tree line, and we're hiking majority of the time at/in/through trees. So I wonder how much of an increase in chance it would be for G&S to just go without? Definitely something to consider. However, I thought I read that back in 2009, there was a growing number of cases of Lyme disease in Colorado - I suppose that's what made me want to have G&S protected.

Heather! wrote:

Just something to consider. If I was back in North Carolina or something I would use a natural remedy, but I've never really been worried here or in AZ. Honestly, I'd rather pick off a tick than put pesticides on my dog. The risks are too much for me.

We've all discussed natural remedies for flea control on the forum, but does that also apply to ticks? I can't remember... I would assume so, but just want to confirm.

Myndi wrote:

Are you submitting a case with Merial about it?

My vet has reposrt a case to Merial and she is charging them the vet services that was given to Ginger and did not charge me.