Poor Maya. The fleas here have been really bad, and they took up residence on her body. The vet recommended I switch from Frontline to Advantix. Advantix killed the fleas, but I noticed sores down her back at the application sites. They had scabbed up, and I actually thought it was going to be a tick (I had just taken one off of her a few nights before).

When petting her tonight, I noticed another patch of an irritated area. I would say there are about five or six little sores that have scabbed over. Are these just from the medicine migrating up there after I applied it? I'm surprised because I got it really close to her skin, but I guess I could see where she might scratch one area and then get it up to the next.

Also, I don't know if I'm just hyper sensitive, but she seems to be licking and grooming more than usual (she's in her crate licking away as I type this). She has a couple spots where her fur is sticking out b/c she's licked an area so much. She's also been turning quickly and looking towards her back, like something surprised her. I know it's not fleas, and I checked her rear to make sure nothing was stuck (lovely, I know). I thought the sores were just a reaction to the topical application, but could it be that the medicine is still bothering her?

I feel horrible, although I know if I said the word "frisbee" she be at the back door ready to run in a second!

The vet wants to put her on Comfortis next month, which he said is great for fleas, but not for ticks. Hopefully ticks won't present too much of a problem with the colder weather on its way.

I don't have any experience with Advantix but it sounds like she's having an allergic reaction. Have you called the vet? I searched around online and a few people said they gave their dogs bathes with Dawn soap to get the Advantix off, but I have no idea if that's accurate or not. Just something online.

We use Comfortis for Conan and I love it. He hasn't had any other reactions to flea meds but we've noticed that topical treatments have all been ineffective for him. Good luck, I hope poor Maya feels better!

 Quote: Katie Finlay

... We use Comfortis for Conan and I love it. He hasn't had any other reactions to flea meds but we've noticed that topical treatments have all been ineffective for him. Good luck, I hope poor Maya feels better!

This isn't the dog with intermittent diarrhea, is it? If it is, have you and the vet discussed that possible side effect of Comfortis?

He's had the intermittent diarrhea long before the Comfortis. He's only been on Comfortis for a month but our vet did talk to us about it. He actually said he doesn't like dogs ingesting flea meds so he doesn't sell it... made us rethink using it but for now it's all we can find that works I'm still looking though and we've definitely read up on it.

 Quote: Katie Finlay

He's had the intermittent diarrhea long before the Comfortis. He's only been on Comfortis for a month but our vet did talk to us about it. He actually said he doesn't like dogs ingesting flea meds so he doesn't sell it... made us rethink using it but for now it's all we can find that works I'm still looking though and we've definitely read up on it.

Good (that he is not carrying it). How did you get it? Online?

IMO, it's too new, too untested, and not safety-testing too great anyway .... reminds me of Rimadyl in some ways ....

I was sitting here debating whether to PM you or post this, but since your vet has already expressed his own lack of enthusiasm for the product:


http://www.bark-n-blog.com/2008/08/22/holistic-veterinarian-dr-blake-on-comfortis/

http://www.examiner.com/x-14505-Atlanta-Pet-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d13-Comfortis-flea-treatment-causes-vomiting-and-death-in-dogs

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2768&S=1&SourceID=52

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/pets/msg1216273919143.html

Carolyn, I have heard of dogs having similar reactions after having topical anti flea/tick medications applied to them but I'm not of much use as I don't know what was done with them. You might check out some of the Neem (also see here) products if you're interested in keeping the ticks (and other pests) away. I haven't tried them yet but plan to. Some the members of a raw feeding listserv I'm on have used them with success.

Thanks for all this info. I haven't had time to begin research on Comfortis yet--Maya also has a sensitive stomach. I'm not all that thrilled about having her digest something like that either. I'm hoping no more sores show up on her. I don't know if bathing would help at this point, but I guess it wouldn't hurt! She's a very good girl when I bathe her, although she makes the saddest face like it's torture.

She keeps lick, lick, licking away. She looks like a punk rocker with her fur sticking up all over. Special treat--I let her up on the couch with me. She's so happy that she's passed out!