Cost Effective Treatments - Page 1

With spring coming up, I'm preparing for all the de-worming, flea protection, etc. I usually buy Frontline Plus and Interceptor. There have been posts about a more cost effective way to de-worm dogs and prevent fleas, etc. If some of you know how or wouldn't mind sharing, I'd greatly appreciate it. Costs add up for 4 dogs or more!

A super all around bug getter detourant is Permectrin II It's a concentrated formula and 8 oz. makes about 6 gallons, if I recall it correctly for about $10.00 it's easy to apply with spray bottle or wipe on full strength with a wash cloth using VERY sparingly. You can mix in a weed type sprayer for yard, kennel, areas as well. It's residual and lasts for minimum of a week supposed to last for 30 days. I apply once weekly, but am overzealous about things like fleas, ticks, flies. Dewormer, DO NOT USE WITHOUT SPEAKING WITH VET FIRST... well I really like what we are using, we use Pyrantel Pamoate, coupled with Praziquantel and Ivomectin, Pyrantel I buy seperately, and the Praziquantel Ivomec is coupled in a horse dewormer like Zimectrin Gold, 7.?? % praziquantel and 2.?? % on the ivomec, (can't remember off top of head) HOWEVER THIS IS VERY CONTRAVERSIAL AND NOT RECOMENDED WITHOUT YOUR VETERINARIAN'S APPROVAL !!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS WITHOUT CONSULT WITH VET FIRST YOU CAN AND WILL KILL YOUR DOGS !!!!!!!!!!!! I don't ever give dosages, I know what I use with my vets recomendation, but will NOT ever disclose this information as if it were incorrect for YOUR dog it WILL KILL your dog. Hope you can get with your vet and discuss the options above, I know it has helped us on costs and the effectiveness of the above products have been VERY good.

echo, hi just wanted to let you know that premectrin contains the active component permethrin. please do not apply this every week. permethrin is also toxic to humans especially pregnant females. so a word of caution. i know beacause i'm in the army and we use it to treat are uniforms before deploying. it will last for 363 day's on our uniform, so although not completely the same i would take head to the recommendations on dosage. there are nasty side effects for over exposure. just thought i'd lend some knowledge. sincerely, kenny

Thank You Kenny, Yes you are very correct, maybe VERY Sparingly was not the right way to put it, Extremely might have been the better way, I don't apply heavy at all which may be why it does not seem to be effective for the full 30 days. And yes with many insect Repellent/Control agents there are risks that you need to know and need to evaluate for on your own for appropriateness.

I've used Bio-Spot on my own dogs for 30 years and have never had any fleas or adverse reactions. I prefer to treat for fleas locally rather than orally. I use Ivermectin horse paste as a h-worm preventative. In this application, it is not approved for dogs. I don't routinely "de-worm" dogs without having a stool check done first.

Thanks all for your input. I don't routinely de-worm without stool checks either, but I have a 6 month puppy that the breeder suggested that we de-worm ONE more time before spring and the medicine for that is always so expensive from the vet or the pet store. Blitzen, how much paste do you use for your dogs? Something like 1 click for each dog? Oh, and the other reason I mentioned the de-worming is because the Interceptor that I usually buy is also supposed to prevent several intestinal worms as well as heartworms.

Ellie May, I use 2 clicks for Blitz, the amount is about the size of a pencil eraser. He's a big dog, 97 lbs. A friend who sells the paste to vets worked it out for me. She uses it herself as do a number of my friends with GSD's and other breeds. However, I'm sure if you'd ask your vet, most would say to not use it for dogs, so please don't take my word for its safety. I don't want to steer you wrong. Since you use Interceptor I wouldn't deworm the pup unless I knew he needed it.

PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE!!!!!! Be extremely careful on using horse paste to deworm your dogs. I have seen dogs killed by the use of horse paste!!!!! I would make sure you ONLY use Strongid Paste to deworm your dog! It comes in a tube just like the horse paste! It was heart breaking to watch a dog brought into our clinic suffer for several days and then die from an Ivermectin/something? horse paste! Vickie

for heartworm we have used an oral ivermectin (.1% solution) that we get from our vet for years now. as a matter of fact he is the one who suggested it to us to save money because we have so many dogs. he has even showed me his medical books that list all the uses and dosages(sp?) for it. it can even be used in the ears for mites. ivermectin is the active ingredient in most heart worm tablets(read the label). as echo said pyrantel pamoate for endoparsites(worms) cheap and effective. been using biospot as a topical for years. never a reaction with a dog, although we did have a cat that had a reaction to the feline type(he's a weird cat anyway) if fleas and ticks are a real problem where you live i would also say treat your yard. we usually do ours in the spring, before a rain. that way the rain will help soak it into the groud. KEEP YOUR DOGS OFF THE LAWN WHEN YOU DO THIS. if it doesn't rain, water it in and let it sit for a couple of days. this is the basic protcal we have used for 10 years now and never had a problem with any type of parasite. john

Ivermectin, in any form, is contraindicated in some breeds and mixes of those breeds. Collies come to mind, but there are others.