Frontline not working?

redmel1621

Hi,

I have an 18mth Newfoundland and I just can't seem to get rid of her fleas. I think they are gone, but then she is scratching and chewing like a crazy again... I have seen them crawling around in her fur so I know they are definitely there.

I have been using Frontline, but it clearly isn't working. Can anyone recommend anything different. Anything that will work immediately, like a spray/shampoo or tablet maybe?

I'm not sure if Frontline is simply rubbish, despite the ridiculous price, or whether it is because of her thick coat that it isn't working properly?

Poor dog is pulling her fur out now and I am at a loss of what to do.

TIA Mel x

Callie22

Capstar tablets? They apparently work very quickly and you can get them online.

jackieblack

Our vet stopped prescribing Frontline about 3 years ago. It used to be very good but fleas have now resistant to it.

missprice

Yes frontline is now useless, we had to take ours to the vet, they have a chewable tablet called bravecto. It's worked but I haven't looked to see if you can get it anywhere other than vet.

doglover86

Mel, have you been treating her bed, soft furnishing, carpets etc? Flea eggs and larve can live for MONTHS after the fleas have been killed from your dog, unless you're treating your carpets and the rooms your dog is in, so there's going to be a constant risk of her getting reinfected. I use Johnsons Room Foggers after I've treated for fleas to clear the room - they're very good and I definitely recommend them - make sure you vacuum before using them, as the vibrations can make eggs hatch to make them more vulnerable to the Fogger.

iolanthe07

Yes - Fleas have been resistant to Frontline for quite a while now. It is a constant battle to keep one step ahead of the little blighters.

Cuilean

We switched over to Advantage for our dogs a few years ago when we heard that Frontline was losing its effectiveness. We've not seen a single flea on Advantage. It's the same method of administration as Frontline, with the liquid you apply to the dog's skin.

But....

Advantage does not protect against ticks. We didn't think ticks were a problem in our part of the country so we weren't worried, but our dog came back from a walk in a park an hour south of here with a tick. Advantage do a prescription only version which does kill ticks, called Advantix, which our vet charged £40 for :eek:

The vet gave our dog a Bravecto tablet, like missprice mentioned, which protects against both fleas and ticks. We've been back to the tick park, and come home tick free. However, I've since found out that Bravecto is still classed as a bit controversial in some circles. It's a relatively new drug, and there are some reports of some dogs being really unwell after taking it. I will say that we saw none of the side effects mentioned though, and at the moment, I'd be happy to give it again.

sheramber

Are you parting the hair and putting the spot on only on her skin so that it spreads over the dog? Not always easy but putting on the hair does not work.

As well treat your house, including all areas the dog goes , soft furnishing, along skirting boards, under cushions etc, his bed, blankets, toys. if the dog is picking them up somewhere outside then she will be constantly bringing them in to re-infest the house.

Use a long lasting treatment. ACCLAIM or ZODIAC are two household treatments that last for several months so catch larvae that may be lurking and will hatch out later. Larvae can lie dormant for months before hatching out. Read the instructions carefully before using.

redmel1621

Thank you everyone.

After she ripped a massive chunk of fur off herself last night, I took her to the vets straight away this morning. He has given me either Advantage or Advocate (I forget which it was now) He has also given her a steroid injection to help with the inflammation the bites have caused and some tablets to give over the next week while I make sure the inflammation is completely gone and the fleas are completely out of the house!

We only have material on the sofas and curtains, everything else is wooden floor furniture, or leather. In fact the sofas are half leather too, so I don't think there are many in the house, if at all.

I have been using a Frontline spray for the furniture and floor and hoovering like crazy. I will continue with that over the next week, just in case they are lingering anywhere. The vet did say the little blighters get everywhere.

Fingers crossed the new flea stuff works better than the Frontline, well not that it was working at all tbh!
I never had this issue in the last 10 years my previous dog lived here and I didn't even treat him every month! I've kept on top of it with her and it still hasn't been good enough.

P.S I will also look into Acclaim or Zodiac home treatments.