Heartworms, fleas, ticks, anything

[BoozersMama08]

What is the best preventative medicine (that is budget-wise) for these and any other illnesses I might have forgotten?

[skigod377]

Budget wise, a flea collar is the least expensive but wont protect against heartworms. Heartguard will, but its not exactly cheap and you have to keep them on it for life. There are also over the counter flea and tick medications that you apply between the shoulderblades once a month. There are several varieties, but most are not reccommended for puppies. Hartz makes some that are reasonably priced. Your vet will have more options, including a pill (I forget the name) but then the price goes up.

I also recommend glucosamine for joints. A good vitamin for any large breed dog.

[BoozersMama08]

Originally Posted by skigod377

Budget wise, a flea collar is the least expensive but wont protect against heartworms. Heartguard will, but its not exactly cheap and you have to keep them on it for life. There are also over the counter flea and tick medications that you apply between the shoulderblades once a month. There are several varieties, but most are not reccommended for puppies. Hartz makes some that are reasonably priced. Your vet will have more options, including a pill (I forget the name) but then the price goes up.

I also recommend glucosamine for joints. A good vitamin for any large breed dog.

Thanks for all your help. I don't like the liquid chemical treatments. They leave the coat so sticky and you have to get them just right or they don't work. My mom uses those on her Queensland/Pit bull mix and her Australian cattle dog. I just want to make sure Boozer (and his sisters) get the best care possible.

[Nishasmom]

IMO flea collars are a joke. All they do is keep the fleas off the neck. Also they are only good until the "powder" layer wears off...usually a week. I have groomed so many dogs with horrible flea infestations that were wearing a flea collar.

Advantix and Frontline (from a vet) both work good for my dog (I get the one that helps with mesquitoes); she is only greasy for one day, after that you cant tell at all. I only use flea drops if I notice a lot of fleas on my dog (usually in July and August). I try to keep her clean, and she swims a lot...I know that sounds crazy, but I really think it cuts down on the problem.

The cheap over the counter drops don't work, and can be dangerous. If you have a flea problem, it is best to get the drops from the vet.

*Sentanil (sp?) is the all-in-one pill from the vet (fleas, ticks, heartworm); I wouldn't give it to my dog b/c I don't like over-medicating.
*Capstar is the flea pill from the vet. It is not a preventative, but kills anything on the dog at the time of ingestion. (I wouldn't use this product either...to harsh {although it may be the best option for infested animals})

[BoozersMama08]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

IMO flea collars are a joke. All they do is keep the fleas off the neck. Also they are only good until the "powder" layer wears off...usually a week. I have groomed so many dogs with horrible flea infestations that were wearing a flea collar.

Advantix and Frontline (from a vet) both work good for my dog (I get the one that helps with mesquitoes); she is only greasy for one day, after that you cant tell at all. I only use flea drops if I notice a lot of fleas on my dog (usually in July and August). I try to keep her clean, and she swims a lot...I know that sounds crazy, but I really think it cuts down on the problem.

The cheap over the counter drops don't work, and can be dangerous. If you have a flea problem, it is best to get the drops from the vet.

*Sentanil (sp?) is the all-in-one pill from the vet (fleas, ticks, heartworm); I wouldn't give it to my dog b/c I don't like over-medicating.
*Capstar is the flea pill from the vet. It is not a preventative, but kills anything on the dog at the time of ingestion. (I wouldn't use this product either...to harsh {although it may be the best option for infested animals})

So it is best to get them all either Frontline or Advantix for ticks. What about other illnesses?

[Nishasmom]

I use Advantix (fleas, ticks and mesquitoes). What other illnesses are you concerned about?

[JoJo]

If you have cats around Boozer then don't use Advantix. If the cat licks the dog it could very well die if not get very ill. Advantage would be then used or Frontline or Frontline Plus.

You could order all these thru PetMeds which could be cheaper then thru your vet. But for the heartworm meds, you'd have to have her checked by a vet first to make sure she doesn't have them, then get the prescription from the vet to order online.

[BoozersMama08]

I am just wondering if there are any others I should be concerned about.

[Nishasmom]

Make sure your dog has all required vaccinations. Parvo, distemper, kennel cough, giardia, ect. Take him to your vet to have these administered.

[BoozersMama08]

Thanks. Like I said I want Boozer, Jill, and Cabela to be the healthiest possible.