I have high hopes for this flea treatment -- cedar oil based

[grasswire]

Advantage and Frontline have lost their efficacy. Too much $ for products that aren't really working any more.

So I've been scouring the research, looking for something that isn't poison like those products are, and that will work.

Apparently the military has sought a flea repellent for the GIs who must endure sand fleas in the Middle East, and they have decided that a certain cedar oil is optimal. It's a particular cedar variety -- the western red cedar.

There are products made from this cedar oil for pet application. I went looking, and found one that contains both the cedar oil and rosemary. Supposed to kill fleas on contact, and repel them. It smells great.

So today we have a new program for doggy of this product, and valerian, and chamomile, and witch hazel spritz on the hotspots. He's been overgrooming -- intervention now!

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Let us know how it works.

I am suspicious of most of these "natural" and "herbal" remedies. I used to use rosemary for fleas on my cats and had zero luck with it. I use Revolution now, since my vet said the same thing you just said---Frontline and Advantage are no longer effective. So far, the Revolution is still working....so far.

[roody]

2. Dr. Bronners eucalyptus and peppermint

soaps kill fleas.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. I had a dog that

Advantage and Frontline quit working on effectively. Although they stll worked well on the other dog. I now believe it was the first early sign of what became Cushings disease. We switched to Revolution. It was quite effective and worked well even on him.

Revolution is a combined flea and heartworm treatment. Cheaper than the cost of heartworm preventativew plus the cost of flea preventative. Very effective.

[grasswire]

4. you have to factor in the expense of a veterinary visit....

....because Revolution is rx med.

So far, after one day, the flea population is dramatically diminished. When I combed him I found just a couple, compared to the infestation he had three weeks post Frontline Plus treatment, the day before.

So I think I'm going to keep going with this and see where it goes.

The other question is, now, are the fleas jumping onto the tabbycat now that the dog smells funny? Ha!

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. All heartworm preventatives are prescription meds

Heartworm is common in this region and, sadly, I have known several dogs here who have been (or are) heartworm positive. I have invested considerable time, effort and $$$ in training my dogs and choose to take the steps necessary to prevent them from contracting heartworms.

Our annual veterinary visit costs about $80 and includes an examination, shots and a kennel cough booster. A 12 month supply of Revolution for my dog costs about $200 when purchased through my vet. That's an annual total of $280.

Meanwhile, a 12 month supply of Frontline Plus is about $185 and a 12 month supply of Heartguard Plus chewables is $75. An annual total of $340 when vet charges are included.

Using Revolution instead of two separate heartworm and flea preventatives (e.g., Frontline and Heartguard)saves us over $60 a year (a little less than the cost of the annual vet appointment) - or a savings of about 18%.

An annual exam is typically required to establish and maintain the veterinary relationship that is required to obtain veterinary prescriptions. We also get a heartworm and a fecal test - all of which are required for my therapy dog that also competes in obedience events.



When the Frontline and Advantage products quit working effectively on my old dog I had to take measures to prevent a flea infestation in the home I shared with said dog. I had to launder all of the clothing and linens and shampoo all the carpets, curtains and rugs and some of the upholstery. I had to use a chemical spray in the areas having the worst infestation. And I had to repeat some of these efforts at erradication multiple times. It was time consuming. And costly. If what you are using as a flea preventative turns out to be ineffective then you should prepare to spend some time, effort and $$$ removing the little beasts from your home.

[99Forever]

6. Not necessarilly so.

In Minnesota, Heartgard etc are Rx, next door in Wisconsin it's over the counter. Seems to vary state to state , depending I would guess on how much muscle the vet lobby has.