Flea and worm treatment

chelseablue

We will shortly be joined by our adopted rescue dog
I've been looking around at flea, tick and worming treatments and it seems like for fleas and ticks it is cheaper to purchase Frontline from Amazon (£25 for a box with 6 months worth of treatment) plus £5 for a box of worming tablets 

Our local vets charge £17 a month for treatments from them that we'd receive every 3 months in the post
Is the stuff from the vets vastly better than what I could order myself/get from a pet shop? 
Obviously not about the cost if the vet ones are better, but this is a money saving site

sheramber

Ask the  vet surgery what they would give you. If it is frontline then you know the answer,
Some treatments need a prescription but you can ask the vet for one and buy online if it cheaper.

I do not routinely treat for fleas. I have no need to as it is not a problem. I only treat my dog gets fleas. That has been twice in over 40 years of pet ownership
Worming , it depends what for. Routine I use Drontal bought online but if you need control against lungworm then that is from the vet. You can ask your vet if lungworm is prevalent in your  area.

HampshireH

You need to do proper research and look at what is common in your area issue wise as above. This will depend on your breed as well as the above. It could be a bit trial and error.

We have our dog (big dog) on drontal tasty bones 1 every 3 months and advantage in non tick season and effipro in tick season. Both of these are a once a month back of the neck drop type application.

When we got him he was on the wrong type of worm and flea treatment and neither covered ticks.

Now we have chosen the above we treat the effipro in tick season as we know they are common here and we have fields etc. My dog also reacts to ticks badly.

Vet subscription plans are great as long as they are cost effective. 

Katiehound

Frontline hasn't been very effective for a while. It really depends if you have a dog which gets them! (yes, and you won't know that at the moment) My dogs don't get fleas so I don't use unless the kennels insist. .

As far as wormers are concerned- yes, ask what the vet would use. Perhaps buy from the vet this once and then get from a reputable supplier - unless they are POM -they will be cheaper online.

Zoelikesjam

I've only got cats, and obviously you cannot and must not use the same products for both cats and dogs! (Just getting that out there so no confusion!)

The advice given above about worming is correct. Find out what's prevalent in your area, speak with one of the vet nurses over the phone and get the options. Drontal is quite often all you need, depending on area.

Fleas are a different kettle of fish all to-freaking-gether!!!! 
Effipro is the generic name, and is the active ingredient in frontline.
Honestly I would NEVER buy frontline. It's so overpriced it's insane. You can get generic much cheaper! 
However I will only use effipro in emergencies (like at the moment we've gone back to effipro as our vets aren't issuing non urgent prescriptions) fleas have gained a really high immunity to the chemical and it hasn't been doing the job for a few years across the UK.

We have our cats on stronghold, which you have to get a prescription for. It's slightly more expensive but works perfectly, and we find we only have to retreat if one of our little 'darlings' escapes outside(ours are indoor cats).

You will probably end up saving more money over the year if you get prescription flea treatment, I'm pretty sure of that. 
Good luck with your new baby!

Montysmam

Personally I use Advocate, get it from the vets, because this also treats for lung worm and other parasites, I like to buy from the vets so I know I'm getting the real deal.

Katiehound

Montysmam said:

  I like to buy from the vets so I know I'm getting the real deal.

There are plenty of reputable online companies that supply 'the real deal'  Sadly the firm I would have recommended has been taken over... Just check where the firm is registered- it's usually a pharmacy trading under an online name. I use UK only and I have always had 'real' goods

chelseablue

Thank you all, I may do the £17 a month plan from the vets as I've looked into it some more and it includes:

Annual vet check 
Annual vaccinations
6 monthly nurse health check 
Flea and tick treatment 
Worming treatment 
Free nurse nail clips 

sheramber

  

Annual vet check is included   in the cost of the  annual vaccinations.
I have never needed a 6 monthly health check for my dogs. I am capable of recognising if they  are ill and they get an annual check by the vet as part of the  yearly booster appointment. I can have my dog weighed for free at any time
Flea and worming I only do when necessary. I do not want to be inflicting unnecessary poisons on m dog.
I clip my dog's nails myself.
 Remember , your vet is making a profit out of that scheme or he would not be offering it.
  are you tied into  a yearly contract?
What  happens if you have to move to another vet?

dcb2019

That's a good deal. We pay about £23 a month for our cocker spaniel which includes the above.

KimBaumgart

I found that the cheapest option for flea treatment is Seresto Bayer. It is a flea collar, you can get it on Amazon, and it lasts for 8 months. Very effective.