Yuki, my 10 month old golden, HATES to have me put on his monthly flea and tick med (K-9 Advantix). Every month when it's time to put it on, he runs and hides. He is not a fearful dog, and has no problem with anything else I ever have to do to him. I just hate having to put pesticide on him monthly, and it makes me feel like I am doing something that could be possibly hurting him. Does everyone else out there use these monthly treatments?
Yuki was vaccinated against Lyme disease, because we have a farm in another state that we visit several times a year, and there are so many deer and deer ticks there. We do not have fleas around where I live as far as I know. I'm just wondering if it might be OK to forego these monthly applications of pesticide, though my vet seems to think they are necessary.
I just wonder if Yuki knows something that I don't, and if this is really hurting him somehow, if he'd be better off without it.

I've heard a couple of Vet's mention they thought it was the overwelming smell that bothers a lot of animals - although some on here have reported it makes their dogs sick or lose hair, etc. If he hates it that bad, there's always the Trifexis (flee & heartworm) or Comfortis (just flee med) - both pills so not application. Trifexis is working for us in GA. Some type of flea control is crtiical even in MD. - just my opinion.

Search the forum about the monthly applications - there's a lot of info available.

BTW - welcome!

I can relate. Cassie hates her flea/tick med. I hate it too, because she keeps squirming, and it's so difficult to apply.

Have you thought about switching to a monthly pill? Talk with your vet about those options, because I can assure you, they are MUCH easier.

Cassie was on Trifexis, which although a large pill, I could break it up into her food. Although she preferred Pill Pocket treats.

The only downside is that as with all medicines, a small percentage of dogs will have side effects, or other issues. Although I cannot be certain, I think Cassie's monthly diarrhea may have been from the Trifexis. It hasn't come back since I switched her to a topical treatment, but then again, I also switched her food at the same time too... so that could have been it.

But I know there are tons of folks out there that do use Trifexis without issue, and I can assure you, it is so much more pleasant to administer!!

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My little princess, Cassie

I switched Lucy to Trifexis while she was with us and I use it for Vinnie. Neither of them had any side effects and its so much easier. I give it to him in cheese.


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Jodi

My little terrier mix Tucker also hates it so I switched him over to comfortis.

My cats also hate it and really, it seems like no big deal to me. Shrug.

I've used flea meds for 15+ years on all of my animals with only a little hair loss at the application site for with my cats.

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Copper's Mom (always)
Gotcha 10/2004 - lost ya 10/2010

Jess has a super-sensitive nose and will immediately hide as soon as I crack open the tube.
He also hides when i'm giving the cats their monthly flea stuff. And he will never, ever, come into our bathroom. Once in a while he will poke his nose in if he's looking for me, but never comes across the threshold. I'm sure it is because he doesn't like the smell of the BR cleaners I use.

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[SIGPIC]

What cleaners do you use?? My cleaners aren't doing a good enough job because I currently can't get any privacy!!

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My little princess, Cassie

Me either! I have relatively small bathrooms so with 2 dogs in there ,. I try to quickstep in and close the door in front of them but they are wise to that now. I also could use the cleaner that repells.

The pill in a Pill Pocket is a treat around here so very easy administer but I hear Advantix is the most effective?

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I had the same problem with Hank, it would take two of us. All I had to do was open the package and he'd hide. We switched to Trifexis, so much easier.

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**Fraulein "Maggie" Louise 8/2/95 - 7/20/09**
*At Rainbow Bridge but Forever in Our Hearts*

Thank you so much for all the helpful replies. I will talk to our vet about changing to a pill form - Yuki loves pill pockets, too! This forum is the BEST!