Do you use a tick prevention or just flea?

[AlsDiner]

I'm looking into the pros and cons of tick prevention as well as flea. Do you give your dog any tick treatment or just monitor their fur/skin for signs of ticks?

I'm wondering how likely a tick disease is in reality and whether that likelihood is worth it versus tablets such as Bravecto for example (or other tick prevention methods).

My dog currently has Milpro and Bravecto. No ill affects at all so far and she's had these for a few years, so I'm not overly worried about her, but I like to keep researching these things and I do wonder whether it may be overkill and whether just a spot flea treatment may be better (with Milpro).

[BiteyShark]

I use nexgard spectra which is flea, tick and worm treatment in a monthly tablet. This also includes lung worm.

I live in a high tick lymes disease affected area and we walk in woodland so my dog is affected by ticks all the time. Without the tick treatment he would have them all around his eyes and there is no way to safely remove them. With this treatment they typically die within 24-48 hours and I can remove them easily with my hands or they naturally drop off.

[PollyPolson]

I dont give flea treatment (never had fleas and have owned dogs for many years ) but do need to give tick treatment as in a very ticky area.


TBH if your dog is not getting ticks now then I would say you are ok and don't need the treatment. This time of year and long grass is when ticks are at their height. You do though have to check your dogs daily whether you treat or not. It depends a lot on where you walk your dogs.

I worm count so only worm if my dogs need it. Oly one dog has had worms in many many years and I own multiple dogs.

There is so much worm resistance and resistance to flea treatment from over use I prefer to use when it is needed.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Fleas and ticks. We have Lyme disease in this area.

[AlsDiner]

Thanks both of you.

I've never seen a tick on her - she does have thick fur though so they could be difficult to spot.

[AlsDiner]

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman What products do you use?

[BiteyShark]

Ticks tend to go for my dogs eyes around his eye lids and in his groin area. I suspect even with long fur you would see them.

I once saw a live one crawling across my phone when I was sat next to him

[AlsDiner]

@BiteyShark

Ticks tend to go for my dogs eyes around his eye lids and in his groin area. I suspect even with long fur you would see them.

I once saw a live one crawling across my phone when I was sat next to him

oh my god!

[minielise]

My dog has tick treatment and as soon as it wears off I can tell because she has them on her after every walk, we do live countryside though

[Craiglang]

Yes. Where we live (rural NE Scotland) there are a lot of ticks around. DDog runs through a lot of wooded areas with long grass. We have to use tick prevention regularly throughout the warmer months but during the winter (November to Aprilish) it's fine. She's a long double coat breed. Our previous dog was wirehaired and we never had an issue with ticks.

[AlsDiner]

Thanks minielise. I've never seen a tick on my dog, even though we do a lot of woodland walking. I wonder if that just means the Bravecto is doing its job.

Which tick control do you use, if you don't mind me asking?

[AlsDiner]

Craiglang we holiday a lot in Scotland - mainly Trossochs area, and it looks like ticks can be quite prevalent in Scotland from what you've said and I've read when researching. Which product do you use?

[PollyPolson]

Bravecto then that will help prevent the ticks. Your dog will need some tick prevention is you are walking in the Trossochs.

[AlsDiner]

Thanks PollyPolson - we go at least a couple of times a year to the Trossachs, with really long dog walks each day.

Then at home we go on say twice weekly woodland walks, and then walks most days in an area with long grass.

[ExpectTheWorst]

Not in UK , but in high tick area. I've found being really vigilant after every walk has helped more than anything else - small dog with light brown fur, which obviously makes it a bit easier, but I thoroughly check her (and myself) before going inside. Pick off and cut in half (with my nails) any ticks found crawling around on her. I used to give her tick treatment but the ticks would still bite (and then eventually die if I didn't find and pull them out).

Children both have tick vaccinations too, it's fairly standard here if you live in the country.

[vanillandhoney]

Both. Loads of ticks around here and even with treatment I find them on him sometimes - I dread to think what it would be like if he wasn't treated.

Luckily he has short, pale fur so they're easy to spot

[minielise]

I think ours is called nexgard, we pay £12 a month to the vets for animal healthcare plan and we get all flea, worm and tick stuff included in that rather than buying it from the shop... plus you get a discount on their jabs.

[AlsDiner]

Thanks everyone - much appreciated

[getdownonit]

We are in a high tick area and use Seresto collars on both dogs. They go on the dog in March or April and off in about November.

[Wolfiefan]

I use what Bitey does. Been really impressed with it.

[AlsDiner]

What was it that made you choose Nexgard over Bravecto? Was it the safety? I know there's that Facebook group that keeps reporting on issues with Bravecto, but my vet seems okay with it and my dog hasn't had any issues with it so far.

[AlsDiner]

@getdownonit

We are in a high tick area and use Seresto collars on both dogs. They go on the dog in March or April and off in about November.

Do most people do this with flea and tick preventions? Stop them in winter?

[Dreamersandwishers]

I used to stop over winter, but as nexgatd also covers worms, we just keep going these days. Also in Scotland.

[AlsDiner]

@Dreamersandwishers

I used to stop over winter, but as nexgatd also covers worms, we just keep going these days. Also in Scotland.

Thanks Dreamers. Can I ask what made you choose Nexgard over Bravecto?

[Wolfiefan]

My older dog has allergies. Bravecto is very long lasting and there have been some reports of horrid reactions so it put me off. (Of course dogs can react to all sorts!)

[AlsDiner]

Wolfiefan Thanks. My dog has a few issues with allergies/digestion and Bravecto does still make me a little nervous although she's been fine on it for a few years now.

At least with Nexgard it (presumably) wears off on a month.