Question about Frontline Plus

Discussion in 'Cat Dog' started by peaches, Jan 18, 2008.

  1. peaches

    peaches Well-Known Member

    I have looked this up online and gotten more confused. Is the formulation of Frontline different for dogs and cats? The only solid difference I've seen is the packaging size based on the weight of the animal. (If that's true, we're all getting ripped off, but that's not the reason for my question.)

    That being said, I know it's very important with some brands NOT to use the same thing on cats as dogs.

    The reason I'm asking is that my friend cares for a bunch of feral cats, and she buys the biggest size Frontline for dogs and splits it up between the cats every month. Nobody's dropped dead yet but it concerns me. I figured between AL, LJK, Zoo, and so many others who take good care of their critters, somebody would know for sure. And yes, I'll call my vet later if nobody does.
     
  2. kdc1970

    kdc1970 Guest

    Doesn't sound safe, I thought the formulas were different because cats will injest the medicine when the lick themselves. I could be wrong though, will be interesting to find out. :confused:
     
  3. bandmom

    bandmom Well-Known Member

    Just curious, I use 1800petmeds to order my frontline, they seem to be the cheapest and it's free shipping. What does everyone else use and how much is your cost?
     
  4. ljk

    ljk Well-Known Member

    I will look into it.

    I have used a bigger size package amongst smaller dogs. (but DOG frontline, for dogs) Same thing for heartguard, split the meaty piece in 1/2 for two smaller dogs. I was told you just have to use it right away, not save it for the next month for the same dog. I am not sure if this is safe practice, but I try to stretch donated supplies.

    I will look at some info and get back to you!
     
  5. ljk

    ljk Well-Known Member

    I have heard some of the mail order companies use knock off brands NOT made in the US. I wouldnt think that applied to petmeds, but you may want to make sure it was made here for safety.
     
  6. ljk

    ljk Well-Known Member

    According to the people here;
    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070919091445AAto930
    it is the same and their vets said it could be used on either.

    My source said if you use a 1/2 ml for cat from the dog meds you are fine (the methoprine is less in dog than cat 3% difference) She said NOT to use cat frontline for dogs. Advantage is the exact same for both breeds so that is safe to swap around...

    HTH
     
  7. zookeeper

    zookeeper Well-Known Member

    From what I've read Frontline and Frontline Plus have the same ingredients for both dogs and cats. With the Frontline Plus that you mentioned the S Methoprene is broken up in cat and dog doses and the dogs doses vary on their weight (amount in tube) but other than that it is the same drug.

    When I worked at SPCA Wake - we used the same formulation of Frontline Topspot (a spray) on dogs as well as cats.

    I don't use this type of product, as I take care of fleas and ticks through nutrition, however, in the case of feral cats, the Frontline product is likely the best course of action.

    ljk - on a side note - you may want to check this out, as I heard it somewhere and I'm not 100% certain, BUT- I heard that if you break the meaty type of heartworm preventative in two for two separate animals - that you may not be dosing properly as the active ingredient (ivermectin) may not be evenly distributed within the form. It may be hogwash, but it can't hurt to check. I give my guys the pill form, I coat it with a bit of cream cheese (my magic for pill-administering) they don't get picky, drop it, or have anything to chew.
     
  8. ljk

    ljk Well-Known Member

    When I called my vet friend a second ago about peaches question she said the same thing! She said to just buy ivemectrin over the counter!

    (thanks)
     
  9. zookeeper

    zookeeper Well-Known Member

    Yes - thats how many large shelters handle it - however it is imperative that pets be tested yearly as with taking pills.
     
  10. bandmom

    bandmom Well-Known Member

    How do you treat thru nutrition?
     
  11. zookeeper

    zookeeper Well-Known Member

  12. bandmom

    bandmom Well-Known Member

    So for a 13lb cat, give them less than 1/8 tsp of garlic? And if he's on Frontline now, should I wait until he's off that to begin the garlic? or just go ahead and try it (also to see if he'll even eat it, LOL). Even tho he's on FLine, he still sometimes gets fleas. The vet says its because we haven't had enought cold winters and the fleas are really bad. He's an indoor/outdoor cat.
     
  13. zookeeper

    zookeeper Well-Known Member

    Yes, just give him slightly less than 1/8 tsp of minced garlic - I just eyeball it at this point - like a bartender gets after years of practice :cheers: If you serve kitty wet food, just mix it in, if thy are on dry food only, you may want to test to see if they will eat it sprinkled on and slightly mixed (mine inhale their food as I dont free-feed them) If your kitty is picky, maybe put it on a tiny bit of canned tuna or crabmeat (my cats LOVE canned crabmeat - which has a lot less fat than tuna)

    Oh and you dont have to wait if you just used the Frontline - they won't interact in a bad way or anything.

    One of mine is indoor/outdoor - she loves the cold weather - the other is strictly indoors
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2008
  14. bandmom

    bandmom Well-Known Member

    Thanks for all your help, I will certainly give this a try! Although, I can't imagine how bad his breath is gonna smell - it's already pretty bad at times! :mrgreen:
     
  15. peaches

    peaches Well-Known Member

    Thank you so much - you guys are the BEST! I went away and came back, and voila - answers!
     
  16. Pickle

    Pickle Well-Known Member

  17. zookeeper

    zookeeper Well-Known Member

    There are a lot of schools of thought if you read what's on the internet, but someone in this thread mentioned placing the birds in another room, close the door and treat with Borax, then move the birds back into their original spot and treat the last room. Though 20 Mule Team Borax has no scent to speak of and doesn't fill the air with dust, this seems like a safe precaution - I wouldn't go so far as to turn on a fan though - as there are no fumes released.

    To give you an idea of how long it takes - to do a thorough job my entire house and let the Borax sit, and vacuum thoroughly it takes me about an hour and a half to do 5 carpeted rooms and 4 with hard floors (1865 sq. feet) Thats being really thorough - baseboards, etc. I haven't had to do that since the first year we were in this house (2000) when there were sand fleas - although I didn't see any on the dogs, when we came in from planting trees, we humans had them on our socks and I freaked out. In the Summer months, ever other week, I just shake it out of a coffee container (w/ holes punched in lid) - like carpet fresh would be applied - wait about a half hour and sweep hard surfaces, then vacuum everything and that talks about an hour.

    One thing to note - what someone mentioned about Borax being toxic. . . they were misinformed/confused 20 Mule Team Borax with Boric Acid. Oh and about ingestion causing diareah - nope- not unless they ingested like a box of it - safe to sprinkle on pet bedding - just wait a half hour and take outside and shake off the excess - while I try to keep my crew from walking all over it, that's mostly to keep it where I sprinkle it, not because I fear it will harm them.

    http://vdnent.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=GreyHealth&action=print&thread=1143823814
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2008

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