flea control

We have had a couple of bad flea problems at times over the years because some of our dogs live in dirt floor stalls bedded with wood shavings just like a horse would be. We have tried everything:

Bayer Tree and Shrub: Worked well for killing fleas, but it will wash off if your dog jumps in the creek. Also, depending on the dog, you may have to really drench them with it. Other dogs, 30 ml works great. Works on ticks as well, and also works in your horses' ears if you happen to get an infestation there during the summer.

Termidor: Not sold in a useful manner over the counter, but we have a buddy who owns a pest control company. Works well against fleas and ticks but will wash off. There have been times we had drenched the dogs in Termidor only to have fleas very much alive and active on them in just a few days.

Advantage and Frontline: These are both based on the same active ingredients as Bayer Tree and Shrub (Imitacloroprid) and Termidor (Fipronil). Same results as above and wanted to pull my hair out.

ProMeris: Open your wallet up for this one and prepare to leave the vet with it much lighter. ProMeris works on fleas and ticks AND is good to use to HELP stave off bouts of Red Mange (demodex) even on dogs proned to full body outbreaks. Expensive and not cost effective for multiple dogs.

Cap Star: Kills every flea on your dog in about five minues. LOADS of fun if you are that bored. Put your dog on a light colored sheet, administer pill, watch as fleas dive off your dog and are pretty much dead in a few seconds. The down side is that this is not a lasting product. It is meant to rid your dog of fleas just before you use a topical anti flea treatment.

Comfortis: The Cat's Meow. I purchase the extra large dose for dogs up to 140 lbs (I think). I cut the pill in half and give with food. I did have a few instances where a recently dosed dog had active fleas on it. The other dog in the kennel had none. Talked to our friend who runs a vet clinic, and he said that the active ingredient is not necessarily evenly dispersed throughout the pill. I handled that by crushing the pill into powder, cutting it with a credit card into two even piles, lining it up, and filling the blister pack it came in with half the powder. **Yeah, I know what you are thinking, and it occurred to me to, but whatever**. Dose each dog with the powder and give food. Occasionally, a dog throws up the comfortis. This is one of the only potential side effects of Comfortis. IF you happen to have this occur, you can call the drug company and they will send you a replacement. Of course, if you abuse that privilege, they will catch on. Fleas DIE and your dog walks around as a flea killing machine. We only have to use about three to four doses of Comfortis per year. Yes, it is a little pricey, but in my opinion it is hands down the best bang for my buck.

Cheers
M