Is this a bad reaction to Advantix? (long - sorry!)

[dontforget2scream]

Hi, I would be so grateful for any ideas as to what might be going on with our dear doggy.

We live in an area where lungworm and ticks are both a problem so our dog (18 month old cocker cross) needs protection from both.

During last year's tick season we gave her Advocate and Advantix (monthly - but alternating at two week intervals) without any problem. She has started picking up ticks again so last night we gave her an Advantix spot-on treatment.

This morning she was very, very lethargic, slightly shaking, refused her breakfast, and kept trying to scratch/lick at the spot-on site. She was so out of sorts (went to sleep in a cupboard, seemed unable to stand and failed to greet me after the school-run) that I rushed her off to the vets in a panic.

I looked a complete and utter fool as she was absolutely fine at the vets (lively, wagging tail, accepting treats etc) and the vet could find nothing wrong (just slight soreness where the spot-on was applied). However, since getting home she has just slept - which is very unusual with having had a walk.

Don't know what to do really! Is my dog going to be fine? Should I keep using Advantix each month? The vet has suggested the new seresto collar but I feel very uneasy about it. As a family we all (especially my young daughter) cuddle and pet her around her neck so I'm worried about the chemicals we would be exposed to with it in place for 8 months.

I'm probably being paranoid but I recently had a miscarriage (would like to TTC again in the near future) and I have become very anxious about exposure to toxic stuff.

Sorry for the epic post! Just a very anxious dog owner.

[Lizcat]

Most common Advantix reaction is inflammation and itchiness at site of applying Advantix. In truth the drugs in Seresato are less nasty than one those in Advantix. My dog and cats are wearing Seresato collars and as a vet who has seen all the safety data I am happy that they ate safe for DD, plus they are approved for use in pregnant and lactating dogs so I would be happy if I was pregnant.

[HalfwayCottage]

We found that Advocate was fine, but most of the worming treatments didn't agree with our dog at all. Our vet told us that Advocate covered most things, so we just give ours Panacur granules every six months against lungworm.

[dontforget2scream]

Thank you so much for the replies. Happily, our dog is now back to normal. Yesterday was so strange and scary that I could never touch Advantiz again. She was so lethargic and weak in the afternoon - worst than the day after she was spayed.

Halfwaycottage - interesting to hear your dog's experience. Our dog has tolerated Advocate well too. Normally we just use Advocate and Drontal (to give tapeworm protection), but rather annoyingly Advocate doesn't stop ticks.

Lizcat - thanks, I always enjoy hearing what your mobile mop is getting up to (our dog is a cockerpoo too and rather mop-ish when due a trim).

I have been reading up on the seresto collar and it seems that it has been tested on pregnant rats and rabbits but not dogs. The info leaflet says..
"However, the safety of the veterinary medicinal products has not been established in target animals during pregnancy and lactation and in the absence of available data, the product is therefore not recommended in pregnant and lactating bitches."

I know that this doesn't mean the collar is unsafe (just that the tests haven't been done) but I'm still rather uneasy about the product.

I think we are going to go down the route of prevention for the time being - short coat, avoiding certain areas for walking and lots of post-walk grooming and see how we get on. If she is still picking them up then I think we'll try Frontline. Not the best solution as it doesn't stop them attaching in the first place but maybe a good compromise product if she can tolerate it.

[SnoopyKnine]

Just a thought there is a product called billyno mates which I have never used. Although many of my friends have. It is a mix of herbs that is meant to repel ticks and fleas etc. It certainly will not harm your dog in anyway so maybe worth a try.