Dog worming and flea treatment recommendation

[lotti37]

Hello can you recommend worm and flea treatment for my dog. Do any of you have vet plans months for flea and worm treatment? How much is this? Thank you

[lotti37]

Bump? Thank you

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

I have Advocate (spot on) which covers:
fleas and their larvae, roundworm, hookworm, heartworm and ear mites in dogs.
It also treats lungworm, whipworm, biting lice, sarcoptes and demodex.

It does not, however, do tapeworm so she also gets 6-monthly Drontal tablets. (Cheaper wormers don't work, I understand).

I buy the Drontal online. I get the Advocate from our vet (I don't think it is possible to buy online) and I buy it in batches of six months' worth.
Not sure what you mean about vet plans.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

PS: I am assured by my sister that Frontline doesn't work any more.

[FairfaxAikman]

Wormers don't stop them getting worms, just kills what they have.

Do a worm count (available online) instead to avoid putting in unnecessary chemicals into your dog.

Same goes for fleas - treat em if they get em.

You can get a herbal supplement called Billy No Mates if you'd prefer to have something in place.

[BiteyShark]

I use nexgard spectra which does worms, fleas and ticks (I live in a high tick area) and is a tablet given monthly. Every 6 months we have a drontal tablet. My dog didn't like advocate (hated the smell and made him hyper and wouldn't sleep) and I hated not being able to bath him (muddy spaniel) around the time of administration.

All the tablets are included in my vets vip plan and pay £16 per month as he is classed as a medium sized dog.

[BiteyShark]

And the reason I treat monthly is I have seen flea infestations and don't want them in my house. Given where we live ticks are a big problem and Lymes disease is nasty for humans and dogs and I prefer to give a tablet every month rather than faff (and probably forget) to keep doing worm counts. I also don't want to risk lungworm.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Bitey: Yes, I have been very worried about lungworm and heartworm (can't remember which one is prevalent in foxes, who are EVERYWHERE here)which is why I picked the Advocate. The annoying thing about the spot on treatment is that they always seem to shake themselves immediately afterwards (if you don't hold them still) and it flicks all over you and the furniture.

[FairfaxAikman]

As I say worming doesn't prevent your dog getting worms - including heart and lung worm - it just kills what they do have.
I personally think this means that some people miss they symptoms, thinking "oh but he's been wormed"

[BiteyShark]

FairfaxAikman yes it doesn't stop them getting worms but if they are treated every month then the chances are they kill the worms before they cause problems and I certainly don't ignore any symptoms just because my dog is 'wormed'. For me personally that's far better than trying to remember to send worm counts off then getting treatment. Also it doesn't help for ticks and given that they are bloody hard to spot on yourself let alone on the body of a dog I prefer to kill them before they can cause any issues.

[FairfaxAikman]

@BiteyShark you can use Billy No Mates or food grade Diatomaceous Earth as a natural tick and flea repellent. Far preferable to introducing chemicals into their systems long term.

[BiteyShark]

FairfaxAikman we clearly differ on our approach. I prefer to use licensed and regulated medicines which guarantee to kill ticks and fleas within 24 hours. Whilst the benefits outweighs any side effects (of which he has none) I will continue to treat just as I do with myself as I take prescribed medicines to improve the quality of my life.

[FairfaxAikman]

Ind I prefer not to put pesticides directly into my dog's bloodstream (because it's a pesticide not a medicine - it's for human benefit, not a medical one)

[BiteyShark]

Exactly lots of people have different opinions and preferences when it comes to treating or not treating. I was just answering your previous comment about using the other stuff instead and I am happy with what I choose just as I am sure you are. The OP asked for suggestions which both of ours are valid.