Tick season already! Suggestions for tick protection?

[grntuscarora]

Pulled another tick off Shelby, the beagle--- the third tick in as many weeks.

I just don't remember ticks being a problem this early in PA.

I think we used a Frontline tick control treatment last year, but with less than perfect results. Can anyone recommend something better?

[Stinky The Clown]

1. We've used frontline to good effect. Before we used it, our BC got Lyme disease.

Fortunately it is curable in dogs.

We have three dogs on Frontline. Our yard is overrun with deer, so ticks are very common. Since the dogs eat grass, I refuse to spray it. Thir only defense is Frontline and us running our hands all over the dogs looking for ticks. We found only one, on the GSD, last year.

They get Frontline and Heartguard, monthly, year round.

[grntuscarora]

2. Are ticks a problem year-round in your area?

Or does frontline just work better if the critters are on it continuously? We've never bothered with it in the winter, but maybe that's why it didn't work as well for us last summer....

[Stinky The Clown]

4. We're borderline

Some years are very cold and the bugs die. Most years are middlin' and some stay active all year. This year was extraordinarily mild and ticks were active all year.

I've been told year round use is the right way to use it so protection is always there. No need for it to "ramp up" each season.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. My vet has moved all her fur patients to Revolution.

When I asked her why, she said that it works better on all parasites, including heartworm and intestinal worms as well as ear mites. And since it is a totally different formula than Frontline or Advantage, there is less problem with resistance to it in insects.

Is this bull or truth, I don't know. That is just what I have been told.

I have a feeling that this year in PA we will have a very bad flea/tick infestation because we just did not get weather cold enough to kill them all off.

And thanks for reminding me to get a dose for my kitty.

[grntuscarora]

5. This sounds good.

I checked the co. website and evidently we'll need a prescription so I have a call in to the vet to get one.

Thanks for the tip!

[TorchTheWitch]

6. I just put the Frontline on my fur baby a few days ago

I can't ever remember needing to do it this early before, but the weather has been like May. I've always had good luck with Frontline, but if there's something better I'm open to it especially because with the wet fall and winter we've had in PA I have a feeling that bugs of all kinds are going to be an absolute plague this year.

I also make sure he gets the Lyme prevention vac's since my first Akita got Lyme, and I don't ever want to go through that again.