A couple of questions about fleas and food - Page 1

1st question...
Does anyone have an opinion one way or another about the topical flea and heartworm preventatives Revolution vs K-9 Advantix.  We have used Revolution alone for years on both of our dogs with no ill effects and good results.  Keep in mind our dogs are kept in the house.  Our new vet is pushing the Advantix and I'm curious if it is that much better or is he pushing what his drug rep is pushing.  Any thoughts on this?  We use Revolution soley and understand if we switch to Advantix we would need to also give a separate heartworm preventative.  Is it worth the extra cost for two meds vs the one?

2nd question...
The same vet is pushing for a prescription kibble JM (Joint Mobility Canine Formula) by Purina.  He feeds it to his dogs and insists that the local police/sheriff's departments that he services do too.  Supposedly it is formulated for large breed and active dogs to promote healthy joints etc. and so forth.  I don't care for the fact it has corn gluten in it.  I have a list of the ingredients but no percentages regarding protein, fat etc.  The info does state it is high in protein.  We have fed Canidaie all stages, 4 meats since Echo was about 3months old and she is thriving on it so I am loathe to change from it unless of course it is the miracle drug he claims it to be.  Again, I am wondering about the vet's motives.  Up until these issues came up we were in love with him.  Now I'm wondering if I need to start looking for another vet again. 

I appreciate any thoughts, comments, suggestions etc.
Thanks!
Deb

If he's a good diagnostician and you trust him when it comes to actual medical veterinary medicine,  I wouldn't switch based on him pushing the crap  food.  I'd be honest and direct and  tell him very firmly that no way in hell is corn or any gluten product getting past  my dogs lips, so enough about it already. 

It's my understanding that in the entire course of learning how to be a vet they spend about 2 weeks on canine nutrition, which is sponsored by Hills, so it's not their area of expertise anyway.

All the Hill's prescription diets are CRAP!

Here's what the Dog Food Analysis site has to say about the joint formula:

www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php

And I wouldn't get into an argument with him about it, either. When I tried to 'educate' my vet, he pulled out tons of articles justifying feeding this crap, no doubt provided to him by the company! 

Sueincc is right, If you trust him/her when it comes to actual medical veterinary medicine don't switch but stand your ground. If that's not the case....I'd let my fingers do the walkin thru the yellow pages! (Just joking there - I'd try to get recomendations from other ppl) If you also own cats be very careful as the k9 Advantage has an ingredient that makes it unsuitable for cats!

K9 Advantix - Designed to kill fleas at all stages. Helps kill, repel and control ticks and even mosquitoes

Revolution - providing comprehensive protection from several parasite dangers including heartworms, fleas and ticks. It helps control flea eggs from developing further as well, dog sarcoptic mange and even ear mites.

I hear the name Purina and I run

Sounds to me like he's trying to line his/her pockets a bit jmo

You seem to be doing very well and like they say -  If it's not broken....Don't fix it!

Sounds to me like a vet who is pushing things that the companys give him incentive to. Being a vet tech for 6+ years I know how those things go.
Revolution is a far superior product and yes, the previous posts are correct. Veterinarians do not know very much at all about nutrition except for what the pet food industry feeds them at their banquets.
Debby

Thanks for all the comments.  I wasn't sure enough about the Revolution vs Advantix but when someone with a higher education is touting the benefits of one over the other you tend to listen...maybe not heed their advice but it makes one wonder if she (me) is doing the correct thing.  The dog food is not Hills (already knew about it) but Purina and again just needed to hear some opinions to see if others felt the same way.  I'd never heard of Purina JM so didn't know if it was any good or not.  Having had a bitch with HD I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something that would help ward that sort of thing off.  I do believe we will be sticking with Canidaie and Revolution if not the vet.  He's a real likeable guy, love his wife but if he really doesn't know any better or worse doesn't care  enough to advise me correctly on something as elementary as flea prevention and food he may have to go.  My dog is worth more to me than his friendship.  Guess it all depends on how pushy he gets about it.  He may find out I'm not as easy going as he thinks.  I'll stand my ground and take over some of his if push comes to shove LOL.
Thanks again!
Deb

Good for you sticking with the Canidae; I've been feeding it for years with great results.  As far as the flea control, I use Sentinel for heartworm which also controls fleas but I'll be getting some Frontline Plus tomorrow because the ticks are crazy this year for whatever reason.