Flea control

by Danny Seymore
(Heber Springs, Arkansas)

Dr. Per I have spent hundreds of hours studying dog nutrition and dog health issues.I have been using Frontline plus on my puppy since he was 14 weeks old, and it has worked quite well. But now I am reading story after story about how these spot on medications are slowly killing our animals.What is a person to do? What is your opinion? Thank you, Danny

My Comment:

Hi Danny

No body likes to use any type poison or chemical on his dog. And you should not use this if not necessary.

This is the problem - Often it is.

If the claims is just claims without any substantial proof, in my opinion it is not responsible to make this kind of statements.

Why do i get so upset about it?

You have to evaluate the risks. What is likely to happen if you not are using Frontline. Does your dog getting any serious illness.

With fleas, perhaps not. Allergies and skin irritations is the worse perhaps. Allergies can be a big time problem and might need cortisone treatment and skin irritation can call on the need of antibiotics.

Perhaps not life threatening.

Tick borne disease on the other hand can be life threatening. So - my point. If you are saying these drugs are dangerous and one dog gets ill, for example Anaplasma (can be fatal or very serious side effects) what have you done for good.

You have saved your dog from "perhaps some side effects that might show up" but it died of something you could have protected him from.

What have you won - nothing!

As a owner you can almost feeling being a hostage. on one side the dangers of the drugs, and the dangers of the diseases.

No wonder you might be very confused and don't know what to do.

Often i see this claims without any substantial proof. And (this is might the worse) no other alternative is given to the "dangerous" drug.

Being a dog owner you just left all to your self,your confusion and fear!!

Of cause all drugs should be controlled, and statistics should show if any side effect is a problem.

Frontline is a safe drug. Very seldom the cause of any serious side effects.

If Sweden the alternative of not using it is much more risky. The risk of becoming ill not using it, is bigger than using it - so this is what i tell my clients.

You have to use these drugs "mindfully".

Think about the risks doing it compared to the risks of not doing it and make up your mind.

As long no long time side effects has been seen, i would use it if needed - with respect and "mindfulness"

All the best ( and sorry if i got a bit carried away)

DVM Per Schonbeck