Ticks, Frontline, and my freaked out pup

[BLACKJACK]

In the spring and early summer I used Frontline on my two dogs, with them being active and in the water every day, it lasts about three weeks, then I'd notice a few ticks on them, would reapply. By the end of June, ticks disapear, so I stopped, then end of September, found a few ticks on them, so was going to reapply. Did the old dog first, usually jump them up on a low work bench, break open Frontline, apply. When it was the pups turn - and shes not really a pup - shes almost a year and 70 pounds - she was slinking around, could smell it, wouldn't jump up on the bench, I really had to get tough with her to make her stand and let me apply the Frontline to her neck. Next morning she didn't want to come near me, the dirty rat fink that I was, was watching my hands, she didn't trust me.

I didn't notice any ill affects or sickness, they might have been a little lethargic, but they didn't get sick.

Shes gotten over her freaked out attitude, a little dummy throwing and TLC has gotten her back to the happy puppy I'm used to but last night, tried to jump her up on the bench just to check out her toe nails and she was having nothing to do with it.

Anybody else ever have a bad experience with Frontline?? How does your dog react to it?? Been using it for many years on 3 different dogs, this is the first time I've had one freak out over it.

[nofishfisherman]

Thats strange. My dog has never paid any attention to the frontline. I just call him into the kitchen and give him the stay command while I apply it. Done in about 10 seconds and then release him and off he goes.

Are you sure its the frontline thats got her freaked or is it the work bench? Does the dog pay any attention to the spot where you applied the frontline? If it burns, itches, or causes some sort of discomfort I'd expect the dog to show at least some sign of agitation while attempting to get at the spot.

The pup may just not like being up on the work bench. Since it wouldn't let you put it up on the bench to look at its nails then that might be the issue. If you only put it up there when doing nails or tick treatment it may not have a positive view of being up there. Also it sounds like its no small dog so she might not feel safe and stable up there for whatever reason.

Next time try applying the frontline totally away from the work bench. Maybe in the kitchen or yard or someplace where it hasn't built an association. If the dog freaks out then you have your answer as to what is causing it but the why is still a guessing game.

[Pherris]

My pup had a bad reaction to certifect which is made by frontline. Now I use Vectra 3D with no issues. Hope the pup is better.

Good Hunting!!

[Kyhl]

Have you checked the application site? Does it look red or irritated?

[BLACKJACK]

My pup had a bad reaction to certifect which is made by frontline. Now I use Vectra 3D with no issues. Hope the pup is better.

Good Hunting!!

I think it was actually the certifect, the 'new improved' frontline. Will keep that Vectra in mind, definately using something else next spring!!

[BLACKJACK]

Have you checked the application site? Does it look red or irritated?

Application site if ok, was brushing her the other day, took the collar off and looked.

[Snag]

My Golden hides under the kitchen table when I pull out the frontline. He lets me put it on, but doesn't like it.

[fivebucks]

I always do the Frontline and a Heartguard pill at the same time. Frontline first and then he thinks the Heartguard pill is a treat for the Frontline.

[ClownColor]

My Golden hides under the kitchen table when I pull out the frontline. He lets me put it on, but doesn't like it.

My lab does this also but we use K9 Advantix. She does NOT like it at all when we apply it. For about 2 days she seems a little weird but she gets over it and not allergic reactions (that we can tell) but it's usually a way of the animal trying to tell you something.

Hopefully nothing too bad as with frontline, are dog kept getting Lime disease so hopefully her hating it pays off over her not getting lime.

[bottomdweller]

I dont think its the frontline, you posted the dog was nervous before you even put it on so that kind of tells me its something else. The workbench, start making the work bench for some fun things and put the frontline on somewhere else like someone else posted.

good luck

[pikehunter]

I agree that it's probably not the Frontline, but I would also point out that applying every three weeks seems heavy on the dosage. It's recommended at 4-weeks and it can be a bad idea to go by sight in terms of when the next application should come. Remember, this product is actually absorbed into the blood stream of your dog and is intended to kill ticks AFTER they fix to the dog, not repel them before that point.

As an aside: I tried to save a couple bucks by going with a cheap knock-off a couple years ago. The dog walked around with his head held tilted dramatically to one side for TWO FULL DAYS. I presumed he didn't like the scent.

[BLACKJACK]

but I would also point out that applying every three weeks seems heavy on the dosage. It's recommended at 4-weeks and it can be a bad idea to go by sight in terms of when the next application should come.

We're in a heavy tick area, when I go for walks, when I get home, I can watch the tick races up my pants legs. For the first 3 weeks after application, the Frontline keeps the ticks off, but my dogs are generallly in the water every day, it stops keeping them off - so you're saying I should just let the ticks sit and grow on them because the four weeks hasn't expired?? Not.

[nofishfisherman]

I believe the Frontline package says to not bath or get the dog wet for 2 days after application in order to allow enough time for the chemicals to soak into the skin. But after that the chemicals are abosrbed into the skin so it does not wash off by the dog swimming.

If you let it dry properly when applying and you are applying every 3 weeks there is a very good chance you are over applying.

[pikehunter]

To answer your question, YES, you should wait until the four weeks, even if the there are ticks on your dog. IMO, Frontline shouldn't be used like you would a mosquito repellant, because that's not what it's designed to do. It kills a tick between 24 and 48 hours AFTER they attach to your dog. I get ticks on my dog three days after application, much less three weeks.

This isn't a spray designed to keeps ticks and fleas OFF the fur of your dog, it's a medicine that's makes your dog's blood poisonous to ticks. And I wouldn't put anything in my dog's blood more than recommended by the folks that profit from you using more of their product. Just my opinion.