Happy New Year,
I'm wondering what others think about the use of topical treatments for tick/flea, the monthly applications? I've used them but wonder about the absorption of the pesticides into the bloodstream, is this a concern?
Also wondering about the monthly use of heartworm prevention? Is is really necessary to give it through the winter. Just curious how others feel and or deal with this?

Linda,
As far as the flea/tick preventative, dogs are safe as long as people use the "good" stuff. Meaning the Vet. bought products. As a retired Prof. Dog Groomer, I have seen many dogs have lots of skin problem because their owners used off brand flea/tick products. I use Advantage, now Advantix for my 5 dogs. I have also used Fontline. They both work well.
And for the HW preventative, there are many differnt products to choose from. I used to use Interceptor. My, current Vet. does not carry it, so I now use Heartgaurd. I like this better anyway, because it prevents and kills intestinal pericites, where Interceptor only prevents it..something like that (Anyhow, Heartguard does more than Interceptor). I had used ProHeart before, but stopped because my new Vet. didn't carry it...THANK GOD, as it's been recalled...reports that it has killed dogs &/or harmed them very badly.
Heartworm preventative should be used all year round, mainly because it kills intestinal perisites as well. When I bought Ando 4 years ago, his previous owner took him off HW preventative in the winter, low and behold, I bought him during the winter and he 2 types of worms. Wouldn't have been so bad had the treatment been clean...the medication to rid the worms gave him the poops and bloody at that. My Vet. forgot to tell me this, so when I saw blood, I about freaked out. Let alone, cleaning "it" up...yuk.
That's my input.
Take care, Brandi

Hi Brandi, thanks for your reply. I wasn't aware that heartworm meds also treat other internal parasites, if I read you correctly. Currently I'm using Frontline and Interceptor, the heartworm pill is given every month. I used the frontline about 2mos ago. I know that Frontline is very effective, but sometimes it just feels like I'm pouring pesticides right on my dog (which I am). I'm kinda paranoid about ticks, Lyme disease is very prevelant in this area. My husband contracted it, was very sick, and we lost a dog to what was suspected as rapid kidney failure from suspected Lyme disease. So yes, I use the products but, just wondering, am I increasing her risk of other system side effect or permanent damage from such a strong product? I guess the risk of not using them would result in a much bigger problem.

Linda,
Yes, HW does aid in the prevention or killing of some intestinal parasites. I know for sure that Advantage/Advantix is very safe for your dog. They could eat an entire tube of it and not get sick. Not real sure about Frontline, but it's been out on the market for so long now, that if it were unhealthy for our pets, we would most likely hear about it by now. You have nothing to worry about as long as you use the right pound dose for your dog. Lyme disease is nasty, never had a dog that contracted it, knock on wood. It also can cause severe arthritic problems in the joints as well. I wouldn't stress over this, you and your dog will be fine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't use the topical stuff because my dog has sensitive skin and the topical stuff sometimes causes her demodex to re-occur. I use Program for flea prevention and Ivomec for heartworm prevention. I use both year-round.