April was Prevent Lyme Disease month. Have you started your pet’s flea and tick prevention yet? Believe it or not, we start to see ticks as early as March. Sometimes, this can be even earlier in a warmer spring. Tick borne diseases, such as Lyme, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia, are on the rise. It is not uncommon for us to diagnosis at least one of these diseases per week (sometimes per day!) in the summer and fall months. This is why prevention of tick borne diseases is the key. According to the CDC, a tick needs to be attached to an animal for 36-48hrs before Lyme can be transmitted. However, there are varying reports of even as soon as 8-24hrs!
There are many products that offer flea and tick prevention, however, they are not all the same. In the past, topical treatments or collars have been our only options. Recently, there have been some newer drugs on the market that are given orally. We have received many questions regarding what is the difference between them and if they are efficacious. The two products we recommend here, at Heritage, are Frontline Plus and Nexgard.
Frontline Plus is a TOPICAL product that has two active ingredients, fiprinil and s-methoprene. Frontline is one of the most recognized and safest topical brands on the market. Once applied to the skin, it lasts for 30 days, even with bathing and swimming. However, it is recommended to apply to the skin 24-48hrs prior to or after bathing/swimming. Based on clinical studies, ticks are killed within 24-48hrs and fleas within 12-18hrs after application. Adverse effects are rare with the most common being a skin reaction at the site of application.
Nexgard is an ORAL flea and tick preventative made by Merial, the same company that manufactures Heartgard and Frontline Plus. The active ingredient is afoxolaner which has the same method of action as fiprinil. Nexgard is not recommended for any dogs that have had seizures in the past. The rare, but most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Unfortunately, it is not approved for cats at this time. Tick kill time is more rapid starting with 93.4% at 12 hours and 100% at 24hrs. Flea kill time is >99.5% at 8hrs. Some of our clients have felt this product is superior to Frontline Plus in tick infested areas and is much easier and convenient to administer.
Start your flea and tick prevention today! We have already been diagnosing tick borne diseases this spring. As always, feel free to contact us anytime with further questions at 507-288-2050 or stop in the office to pick up your flea and tick prevention today.
There are many products that offer flea and tick prevention, however, they are not all the same. In the past, topical treatments or collars have been our only options. Recently, there have been some newer drugs on the market that are given orally. We have received many questions regarding what is the difference between them and if they are efficacious. The two products we recommend here, at Heritage, are Frontline Plus and Nexgard.
Frontline Plus is a TOPICAL product that has two active ingredients, fiprinil and s-methoprene. Frontline is one of the most recognized and safest topical brands on the market. Once applied to the skin, it lasts for 30 days, even with bathing and swimming. However, it is recommended to apply to the skin 24-48hrs prior to or after bathing/swimming. Based on clinical studies, ticks are killed within 24-48hrs and fleas within 12-18hrs after application. Adverse effects are rare with the most common being a skin reaction at the site of application.
Nexgard is an ORAL flea and tick preventative made by Merial, the same company that manufactures Heartgard and Frontline Plus. The active ingredient is afoxolaner which has the same method of action as fiprinil. Nexgard is not recommended for any dogs that have had seizures in the past. The rare, but most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Unfortunately, it is not approved for cats at this time. Tick kill time is more rapid starting with 93.4% at 12 hours and 100% at 24hrs. Flea kill time is >99.5% at 8hrs. Some of our clients have felt this product is superior to Frontline Plus in tick infested areas and is much easier and convenient to administer.
Start your flea and tick prevention today! We have already been diagnosing tick borne diseases this spring. As always, feel free to contact us anytime with further questions at 507-288-2050 or stop in the office to pick up your flea and tick prevention today.
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