Safe alternative to Frontline Plus

[Cheddar]

My dog, cheddar,was recently diagnosed with Cushings, but because he is exhibiting none of the clinical signs, I have opted out of treatment. I am now reconsidering using Frontline Plus, but he needs something to repel the fleas and ticks because our summers are spent in a home that backs to woods with a large deer population. I have never liked using Frontline because of not knowing the long- term side effects and toxicity, but he has been on it for years. I have only used it from April through November...same with th heart worm medicine. I have never used it year- round. Since getting this Cushings diagnosis, ,I am now really concerned about using the Frontline plus and wondering if it might compromise anything or worsen the cUshings. Not sure of anY negative a effect it might have on his organs. I will call his Vet tomorrow morning.

I have read about spraying the dog with a vinegar water solution, but another website did not recommend this and said vinegar can be toxic to dogs. So much conflicting information....so, anyone on the forum have a homeopathic, natural flea and tick repellant that works? I have also read lemon juice and water works.

[mcdavis]

I heard that garlic is supposed to help - we actually spray our yard with a garlic concoction to try to reduce the biting beasties population.
However I've never tried using it for a dog.

[mytil]

I am not sure of any long term natural treatments myself. I have a girl who came to us highly allergic to fleas so I use frontline (she does not have Cushing's and she does not have any ill effects from it).

I have used, but you have to apply it every single day, fresh lemon juice watered down a bit and it seems to work until I get the frontline on her. Juice about 6 lemons and pour boiling water over the rinds to completely cover and let set until cool. Combine the two and put in a spray bottle. Saturate and work into the coat.

Terry

PS I would stay away from garlic pills (not the spray mentioned above) - excessive garlic like that is not good for dogs.

[goldengirl88]

I stopped using the Frontline when Tipper developed Cushings. I now use a product from Vetri Science that is a wipe and it is all natural. It does have a strong smell to it. You just rub it all over them. Maybe you could try that, I got mine on Amazon. I use many of their products and supplements. God Bless
Patti

[labblab]

I do understand why there are reasons why folks prefer alternatives other than flea/tick products such as Frontline. For what it's worth, though, I don't know of any reason why Cushing's would make the product any more or less dangerous for a Cushpup than for any other dog. You can certainly double-check with your vet, though, and you can even call the manufacturer of Frontline to make sure there are no undesirable interactions with other medications your dog may be taking.

Marianne

[Trixie]

I'm in the same boat! I suspected Frontline of giving my dog bad gastro problems each summer when I used it...I was not applying it year round either, just in the summer. The vet didn't think I was crazy but also didn't think the Frontline was anything to worry about. I stopped using it a few years ago well before our recent Cushings diagnosis but I also wish there was a safe and effective alternative.
For now I have an old fashioned flea and tick collar which I put on when she's outside in hopes to repel any ticks. I don't leave it on all day and night though, so maybe it doesn't even help.
I remember my childhood dog having on this kind of collar each summer..that was before any topicals were around and it seemed to work keeping her flea and tick free..but then again I was a kid so who knows?
I am well aware that ticks can cause big problems too but now with Cushing's if the Frontline does cause her to vomit and have diarrhea I wouldn't be able to judge a med problem or a Frontline problem. It's time for the heartworm dose too. Just a couple more issues to add to the worry list.
Barbara

[Cheddar]

I do understand why there are reasons why folks prefer alternatives other than flea/tick products such as Frontline. For what it's worth, though, I don't know of any reason why Cushing's would make the product any more or less dangerous for a Cushpup than for any other dog. You can certainly double-check with your vet, though, and you can even call the manufacturer of Frontline to make sure there are no undesirable interactions with other medications your dog may be taking.

Marianne

My concern is if the Frontline would compromise or weaken an already suppressed immune system. Long term studies Are not always done with these meds. That is why I do it over medicate, only using heart worm medicine during the mosquito season and Frontline from spring though early fall. Of course, if you live in the south or a warm climate year round, then these meds would be given year round.

[lisamak]

I haven't used the chemical flea/tick stuff for years (and I'm in MA so we know our fleas & ticks). I have used the Pet Naturals spray (matches the wipes mentioned above) and like it but I prefer the AromaDog "flea flicker" (works on fleas and ticks). I use it about every 3 days and I prefer the smell to the Pet Naturals spray.

I work in the industry so have tried just about every option - another great alternative is the Wondercide line of products (I use their stuff in my yard to treat grass/bushes). Those are cedar based and also smell really good.

All of these are for pets & people so if we're going in the woods I made sure to spray me from the knee down so I don't bring any little friends in either. If you don't have an earthy-crunchy pet shop nearby these are all available via Amazon I believe. If you have a Petco/Petsmart nearby Sentry makes a natural topical (tube you squeeze like you would a frontline but its just a blend of essential oils). I used to use that but the smell lingers (its a very pleasant smell) but one of my dogs is a therapy dog and he's not allowed to be "fragranced" because of hospital visits, etc.

~~Lisa and Vince

[labblab]

I figured your concern was probably related to immunosuppression, and I must qualify my answer by saying that I have no special knowledge or training about insecticides. But as far as members' reports here on the forum, I am not aware of vets warning against using antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics, or insecticides solely on the basis that a dog has Cushing's. If anything, because a Cushpup's compromised immune system is less able to combat infectious or parasitic disease, you want to be as aggressive as possible about minimizing the risk of exposure to disease carriers. For that reaon, I personally worry when folks say they are going to abruptly stop things such as heartworm protectives.

However, having said that, I know there have been concerns in the past about the general safety of topical flea/tick applications for any dog. So on that basis, I do share your concern and I have not been anxious to use them on my dogs whether or not they have Cushing's.

Marianne