Help! Dangers of flea protection - YorkieTalk.com Forums

woofwoofwoof · 06-21-2014, 09:38 AM

What do you all use and is it absolutely necessary for the dog to have flea protection. My little guy is 6 months old and I haven't used anything yet bc I keep hearing horror stories about dogs dying from certain brands etc.

Can anyone offer any insight into this. He is mainly indoors except when I walk him but I do take him on hikes. I also take him to a Yappy Hour at Petco with other dogs and we run into other dogs on walks where he stops and plays.

I appreciate!!!

Ellie May · 06-21-2014, 09:42 AM

It is not absolutely necessary. Some dogs just never get them and some yards don't appeal to fleas for whatever reason. That said, if you skip it you risk an infestation of your dog and your home. Then you do have to di something and it will involve a lot of work to get rid of them and potentially even more chemicals.

We currently use Sentinel which stops fleas from reproducing because they have never been a major problem for us (we haven't needed an adulticide often).

megansmomma · 06-21-2014, 10:31 AM

Be sure to use heartworm prevention.

sandy simpson · 06-21-2014, 11:09 AM

Do some research, that is what I did and decided on using Revolution. I believe you can use this on young dogs. I would really make up your own mind on this. I did not use what my vet prescribed. I will not use a product that makes my boys vomit. This med does not smell, and they had no reactions to it. Just put on back on neck. I ordered it from Petmeds. I had to take them in for heartworm test first and then my vet wrote a script so I mailed it to Petmeds. Hope you decide on something safe and there will be not reaction for you precious Yorkie.

woofwoofwoof · 06-21-2014, 11:52 AM

Thanks so much - I really appreciate your responses. Seems like I am always worried about something with this little one. My vet didn't prescribe heartworm meds - are they over the counter, when should I have started them?

joyce evans · 06-21-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woofwoofwoof

Thanks so much - I really appreciate your responses. Seems like I am always worried about something with this little one. My vet didn't prescribe heartworm meds - are they over the counter, when should I have started them?

Not even sure that Heartworm meds are sold over the counter but if they are please stay away from them!!!!! Your vet should have prescribed heartworm meds already I would think but not knowing anything about your pup it's hard to say. Some vets may wait until 6 mos. I would definitely check on this as I think it's more important than flea meds. at this point.
All it takes is one infected mosquito to infect your baby and yes those dirty little creatures can get into your home. Here in Texas mosquitos are extremly bad. Not sure about where you live. Again I would talk to your vet but I am also very surprised that your vet hasn't discussed Heartworm prevention with you at this point. I also agree that if there are fleas and ticks in your area that you get prevention from a vet and not a store shelf unless you really know what to get and for the weight of your pup. Yorkies are so sensitive. A lot of us worry and I'm sure others will chime in with some great information. Welcome to YT by the way!

matese · 06-21-2014, 05:41 PM

Heartworm pills can only be gotten at a veterinarian, I suggest asking your vet when to start your puppy on it, also ask your vet what Flea & Tick prevention you should use. When in doubt always ask your vet.

pstinard · 06-22-2014, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy simpson

Do some research, that is what I did and decided on using Revolution. I believe you can use this on young dogs. I would really make up your own mind on this. I did not use what my vet prescribed. I will not use a product that makes my boys vomit. This med does not smell, and they had no reactions to it. Just put on back on neck. I ordered it from Petmeds. I had to take them in for heartworm test first and then my vet wrote a script so I mailed it to Petmeds. Hope you decide on something safe and there will be not reaction for you precious Yorkie.

I've been using Revolution for Bella since she was a puppy. It is approved for puppies under 5 pounds (be sure the vet prescribes the proper dose for the size of your dog!). It controls heartworms, fleas, and dog ticks (but not deer ticks). You put it on the skin on the back of the next and let it dry. It only smells like alcohol while it's drying, for about 10 minutes. Keep the dog still while it's drying, because the alcohol is a little itchy, and the dog may try to rub it off while it's drying. Do not bathe the dog for the next 24 to 48 hours so it has a chance to get absorbed into the bloodstream. Reapply once a month.

yorkiefan_ · 06-22-2014, 07:23 AM

I really didn't want to put Cookie on any flea medication, and for a while just brushed her out every night with a flea comb. Then she got a tapeworm from eating one of the fleas and I decided it was a must to use flea prevention. Cookie has been on comfortis now for about 8 months and it works very well, though I'm not sure you could give it to a small yorkie (she is 7.5 lbs).

Heartworm prevention is an absolute must. I'm very surprised your vet hasn't prescribed it yet for your pup.

My lil friend · 06-23-2014, 05:53 AM

The only time that I use flea protection on I the girls is if we are going out of town. I use Frontline. Kenzie weighs 8 1/2lbs so she get an entire tube,but Mina and Tilly are much smaller at 7 and 4 pounds. They share a tube. This has worked so far,no matter where we have gone. The rest of the time if we have been out with other pups or for walks,I inspect each of the girls as soon as we get home.

DBlain · 06-23-2014, 09:54 AM

the smaller dogs are more sensitive to this type of stuff so I have opted to not get the all in one type of heartworm and flea protection. I have had 4 yorkies and all have gotten the chewable heart guard I give that on the first of the month and then on the 15th apply topical Parastar for flea and tick prevention. I had good look with Parastar so when my vet decided to switch to another tick control I had to look elsewhere for it, I was surprised I could order it direct from Petmed (or whatever the online place is called) I saved a bunch of money which was not the point of getting it there, but it was a bonus!

I have had dogs with bad reactions to other topical tick controls in the past so I was happy that Lola tolerates Parastar well.

06-21-2014, 09:38 AM	#1
woofwoofwoof Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 114	Help! Dangers of flea protection What do you all use and is it absolutely necessary for the dog to have flea protection. My little guy is 6 months old and I haven't used anything yet bc I keep hearing horror stories about dogs dying from certain brands etc. Can anyone offer any insight into this. He is mainly indoors except when I walk him but I do take him on hikes. I also take him to a Yappy Hour at Petco with other dogs and we run into other dogs on walks where he stops and plays. I appreciate!!!

06-21-2014, 09:42 AM	#2
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	It is not absolutely necessary. Some dogs just never get them and some yards don't appeal to fleas for whatever reason. That said, if you skip it you risk an infestation of your dog and your home. Then you do have to di something and it will involve a lot of work to get rid of them and potentially even more chemicals. We currently use Sentinel which stops fleas from reproducing because they have never been a major problem for us (we haven't needed an adulticide often). __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

06-21-2014, 10:31 AM	#3
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	Be sure to use heartworm prevention. __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

06-21-2014, 11:09 AM	#4
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	dog Do some research, that is what I did and decided on using Revolution. I believe you can use this on young dogs. I would really make up your own mind on this. I did not use what my vet prescribed. I will not use a product that makes my boys vomit. This med does not smell, and they had no reactions to it. Just put on back on neck. I ordered it from Petmeds. I had to take them in for heartworm test first and then my vet wrote a script so I mailed it to Petmeds. Hope you decide on something safe and there will be not reaction for you precious Yorkie.

06-21-2014, 11:52 AM	#5
woofwoofwoof Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 114	Thanks Thanks so much - I really appreciate your responses. Seems like I am always worried about something with this little one. My vet didn't prescribe heartworm meds - are they over the counter, when should I have started them?

06-21-2014, 05:41 PM	#7
matese Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa. Posts: 68,183	Heartworm pills can only be gotten at a veterinarian, I suggest asking your vet when to start your puppy on it, also ask your vet what Flea & Tick prevention you should use. When in doubt always ask your vet. __________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog

06-22-2014, 07:23 AM	#9
yorkiefan_ I ♥ my Cookie Monster! Donating Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,999	I really didn't want to put Cookie on any flea medication, and for a while just brushed her out every night with a flea comb. Then she got a tapeworm from eating one of the fleas and I decided it was a must to use flea prevention. Cookie has been on comfortis now for about 8 months and it works very well, though I'm not sure you could give it to a small yorkie (she is 7.5 lbs). Heartworm prevention is an absolute must. I'm very surprised your vet hasn't prescribed it yet for your pup. __________________ Cookie ;;; RIP Minnie

06-23-2014, 05:53 AM	#10
My lil friend Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FtWorth,TX,USA Posts: 3,269	The only time that I use flea protection on I the girls is if we are going out of town. I use Frontline. Kenzie weighs 8 1/2lbs so she get an entire tube,but Mina and Tilly are much smaller at 7 and 4 pounds. They share a tube. This has worked so far,no matter where we have gone. The rest of the time if we have been out with other pups or for walks,I inspect each of the girls as soon as we get home.

06-23-2014, 09:54 AM	#11
DBlain Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland County MI Posts: 6,190	the smaller dogs are more sensitive to this type of stuff so I have opted to not get the all in one type of heartworm and flea protection. I have had 4 yorkies and all have gotten the chewable heart guard I give that on the first of the month and then on the 15th apply topical Parastar for flea and tick prevention. I had good look with Parastar so when my vet decided to switch to another tick control I had to look elsewhere for it, I was surprised I could order it direct from Petmed (or whatever the online place is called) I saved a bunch of money which was not the point of getting it there, but it was a bonus! I have had dogs with bad reactions to other topical tick controls in the past so I was happy that Lola tolerates Parastar well. __________________ Lola my amazing little yorkie-pom Donna Last edited by DBlain; 06-23-2014 at 09:55 AM.