Puppy flea and tick control recommendations?

[BreatheAndFocus]

Can I ask what you use for your puppy? Mine is 3 months old. The vet suggested Simparica but then a friend put me off it and said it causes seizures, so I thought I’d see if there were any alternatives.

I totally understand that any dog can have a reaction to any medication, but I’d really appreciate hearing what you use and how your pup gets on with it.

I do need the tick control as well as fleas because they can be a problem where we live.

[Patchworksack]

The issue with Simparica is no lungworm cover, unless you worm monthly with milbemycin. Speak to your vet (not some random friend) about what the risks are in your area and with your pup's lifestyle. We use Nexgard Spectra and 6-monthly Droncit if tick cover is required.

[BreatheAndFocus]

Thank you for replying 😊 Pup has Milbamax (sp?) for worms.

I’ll read up on the Nexgard Spectra and Droncit. I just want to have some kind of ideas and knowledge in my head before discussing with the vet so that I can make a fairly informed choice if he offers alternatives. My late DDog used Nexgard (but not that type) and Milbamax, as an adult, but she was a puppy years ago and I know things have changed a lot.

[ViperBugloss]

Seresto collars will help to repel ticks and stop them from attaching. Also gives flea cover.

You will then need to cover against worms - this can be done from wormers or a worm count which then only needs wormers if your dog is infected.

Nexguard Spectra and Bravecto need the ticks to attach before they kill them.

[BreatheAndFocus]

Thank you for that suggestion, VB 😊

Another one to add to my investigating list. That’s a good point about the ticks needing to attach. I knew that obviously but hadn’t thought about it in a practical way. I detest ticks 🤮 The idea of the little fat b***rs in the house is vile (quite apart from the health concerns, of course).

[BreatheAndFocus]

I’ve had an initial look, but I’m slightly worried about collars or topical solutions because I have young children and there’s no way they won’t touch puppy 😕

My concern with the tablet flea and tick meds are that there seems to be dispute about whether they’re suitable for young puppies (ie puppies under 6 or 12 months) That’s in addition to my worries about seizures and other reactions.

Any more puppy owners with recommendations? The replies here have been really useful.

[ViperBugloss]

Nexguard is licensed for puppies from 8 weeks weighing over 4lbs so tecnhically allowed.

Do you live in a high tic area? It is a matter of managing risk etc.

Personally I worm count rather than give worming medication if their is no need. I do not have an issue with fleas as I groom my dogs regularly and have never in way too many years of dog ownership had fleas.

However ticks are a big issue for us so I do use treatment. If ticks are not in an area that you walk then you may not need to have protection from them. Check your dogs daily and remove with a tick tool if you do find an odd tick.

It is very hard to make a decision. If you google you will hear of horrendous horror stories from dogs having the treatment which you vet will then deny ever seeing such a case. The divide is huge.

What breed of dog do you have?

[BiteyShark]

I use nexgard spectra for fleas, worms and ticks.

We were in a high Lyme disease area for ticks for both humans and dogs and have numerous attached to the dog. All over his eyes and eyelids which no manual tick remover could remove without him freaking out or injuring himself. I have had the occasional tick on me and my DH was treated as a precaution so we don't take lymes disease lightly.

It's about the risk benefits. If I lived in a low tick area I might be more blasé about it and choose not to treat/medicate but I don't so I think any cons are small for us personally. Btw I have used collars which didn't work for us and topical treatments which didn't suit our dog but the monthly tablet does and hasn't caused any issues. I personally don't worry about what side effects other dog owners report as I only care about the ones that happen to mine.

[BreatheAndFocus]

Sorry - I didn’t realise there were more replies here

Yes, this is a pretty major tick area. We often walk where deer, sheep, etc, have been, and my previous dog got a few ticks (until we changed her flea treatment to a flea and tick one). So I definitely think I need the tick aspect sorted.

My puppy is a Cockerpoo @ViperBugloss Very fond of burrowing around in grass and undergrowth and quite low to the ground.

@BiteyShark Thank you for that. That’s very helpful 😊

[BreatheAndFocus]

I’m going to ask the vet about Nexgard when I speak to him next week. It’s a name I know - which I appreciate doesn’t mean anything - but at least it’s somewhere to start.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

All parasite treatments are medicines and just like all medicines human or pet there are some individuals who will react to them. The most common side effects with the tablets are vomiting and diarrhoea.
Regarding seizures it has long been known that all flea and tick medications can lower the seizure threshold in individuals that are prone to seizures. Ie the products do not cause the epilepsy ( it was always going to happen) it just brings forward the point at which the first seizure happens.

[BreatheAndFocus]

Ah, that’s interesting about the seizure threshold - thank you 😊 I didn’t know that.