Bravecto and Nexguard flea treatment - a warning (1 Viewer)

[Speve]

We came back from Spain earlier this year and vet recommended Bravecto, however there has been so much bad press about it decided to stick to Advantix something we know works and has not had any side effects to our two dogs.

 

[sdc77]

I'm glad the op posted this because it's always usefull to hear about these things.
It actually sounds like the product I need. I spend a fortune on advocate and scallibor collars as he swim's daily so this medication .. if our vet agrees would be ideal
I too wouldn't base my decision on social media and certainly not on a Facebook group. Isn't there a group for "everything"?
On the subject of medication and seizures.. reading the pif with lots of common human medication indicates they too can cause seizures and some awful side effects. ... but noreally don't.

 

[Wildbill]

Its not much of a inconvenience to put a few drops on the dogs neck or am i missing something
dont think i would pay £40 alternitive max £12
fools and money easily parted no offence meant but vets are rip off merchants,
thay monopolise on emotional attachment our dog altho loved wont be used as a tool for mony extraction.
bill

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[Mack100]

Excuse me .

You said there were proven alternatives so I asked if you could name some, simple really.

 

[Janine]

At least with a spot-on you can wash it off if there is a reaction

 

[Speve]

You don't need to base it on social media just do some research and as far as we are concerned we wouldn't risk our dogs health for the sake of not having to dose as often when the treatment we use and know works for us without ill effect.

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[Janine]

I'm not understanding the negativity regarding social media. Surely it's a great tool for people to share information. Isn't a motorhome forum a form of social media?

 

[Janine]

You said there were proven alternatives so I asked if you could name some, simple really.

I think that maybe the tone of your posts may be a little bit acerbic?

 

[Tootles]

When people are relying on Facebook posts for information rather than a respected peer reviewed journal then I suspect hysteria is taking hold.
The implication that Merck are manipulating results and that they are foisting a dangerous drug on our pets needs proof without which it's a hollow accusation.
I will continue to administer Bravecto to our dog until the moment a competent authority advises otherwise rather than listen to Facebook posts.

Our hound has been on Bravecto for six months now. No problems or side effects. She had picked up mites on holiday, and was run down with continues itching and scratching. Within two hours of the treatment, you could see the mites falling out of her (white) coat.
There have been problems with the spot on stuff for many years. It seems only a small number of dogs have had problems with Bravecto. Will continue to use it.

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[sdc77]

I'm not understanding the negativity regarding social media. Surely it's a great tool for people to share information. Isn't a motorhome forum a form of social media?

I think you're right ... of course it's a great tool to spread information. But it seems often the case that the information is from someone with a problem or an issue. As with most things the majority who have no issues or problems don't go looking for a Facebook post or forum post on "problems" so these posts or groups become very biased and full of people with problems.
Rarely do people go on these groups and forums to stand up for a company as there is no benefit to them whereas the people on them benefit from a sympathetic ear.
That's my opinion and I avoid Facebook for reasons like this. My better half uses it and that's how I can see what I base my opinions on.
Forums like this are more balanced IMHO .. and they tend to be better moderated.

 

[32143]

There are many products around and it's personal choice to use what's best for the individual. We know Bravecto works for our three, and due to Boston's regular blood tests confident there is no build up or problems with at least her. We have used the liquids too, still do occasionally in winter to cover a gap with Bravecto if we are travelling, we prefer Bravecto most of the time as ours swim, the liquid ones wash off too quickly and the stuff is toxic to marine life, so won't use when they are swimming. It is also fatal to cats (the dog one) so a consideration if you also have cats.
We actually approached our vet for Braveco after reading about it although they had heard of it and ordered it in for us they didn't push it on us at all. The same when we swapped vets last year, they don't advertise it, we requested it and they order it for us.
Our new vet is Portuguese and very good, other than the vet we have used at a specialist hospital for Boston, the best we have had and we have lived in many many places so used a lot of different vets. He is brilliant with Boston, checks everything she uses to ensure is ok for her, he has recommended we also use the scaribo collars alongside Bravecto as we are going to Spain and on balance this for us is a better option than liquids. Boston has a bad habit of leading Indi around by the collar, we are concerned that she might bite the scaribor collar, but our vet checked if it would be a problem, as long as she doesn't eat it she's fine, hopefully it will taste so bad one lick will put her off.
Each of us need to make our own informed choice about what we give our dogs in conjunction with good vet advice.
We have also used a herbal powder for flea & ticks called Billy no mates, this worked very well too the dogs loved the taste in their food, we used in when living in Portsmouth and never had any ticks or fleas, don't think it would be sufficient on its own in rural areas with farm animals.
You make your own choices.
Where you live makes a difference, ours never had a tick ever until we moved to Wiltshire a rural area, Millie picked one up right between her eyes, looked like a rice crispy. Same with Germany as vigilant as we were Indi tested positive for Lyme's disease when I brought her back to the UK, she showed symptoms, limping, her jaw wouldn't work, she was in a lot of pain, she was put under for investigation and they found a tiny hole in the side of her cheek, from a tick bit, we hadn't seen it, it was enough it bit into her then presumably died off without us ever spotting it. Fortunately I was quick to take her to the vets when she took ill and with treatment she was absolutely fine.

What's important is to share information sensibly, do your own research and do what is best for you and your dogs.

Lin

 

[Janine]

Well said, Lin. All we can do is gather as much information as possible and make our personal choice for what is best for our pets

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[Marzipan]

Although we've had many dogs previously, this spring will be our first trip to Europe with a dog. We have his passport and he has had his rabies jab and also Bravecto (as per current discussion). However our vet has advised vaccine against leishmaniasis as it is endemic in southern Spain/Portugal where we shall be visiting, as an alternative to the sand flea collar.
No doubt this will cause some heated responses too!

 

[32143]

Although we've had many dogs previously, this spring will be our first trip to Europe with a dog. We have his passport and he has had his rabies jab and also Bravecto (as per current discussion). However our vet has advised vaccine against leishmaniasis as it is endemic in southern Spain/Portugal where we shall be visiting, as an alternative to the sand flea collar.
No doubt this will cause some heated responses too!

Hi we asked about the vaccination last year, our uk vet is Portuguese, so well aware of it, he said for us he didn't think it necessary as it's two lots of jabs a few months apart and needs doing every year and as yet not enough research to prove it works, as we do 3 months away 3 months uk he thought scalibor collars would be better for us. We just take them off when the dogs go swimming. They haven't had any reaction to them at all had them on for over a month now.
Edit they last 3 months and need to be used until end Nov so depending on length of trip may need a spare if starting Spring.

Lin

 

[Marzipan]

Thanks Lin for your reply. Our vet did refer to the collar as an option being all that was available prior to the vaccine. The fact we're only going for 2 mths - mid Feb to mid April, ie still winter and a couple of weeks travelling through France, he did say the collar could suffice. Our other planned trips next year are to Germany/northern Italy and to France so unlikely to come into contact with sand flies transmitting the disease.
Your further thoughts on this would be welcome, as would comments from other funsters,
Thanks
Gail

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[sdc77]

Anywhere close to the med and we would use collars just for peace of mind (in addition to regular treatments of course)

 

[Marzipan]

Anywhere close to the med and we would use collars just for peace of mind (in addition to regular treatments of course)

"Regular treatments of course"?
For what please? This is the first time we'll be taking a dog in MH to Europe so novices.

 

[sdc77]

"Regular treatments of course"?
For what please? This is the first time we'll be taking a dog in MH to Europe so novices.

Sorry by regular treatment I mean their regular flea and worm treatment (currently Advocate and Drontal)
The only extra thing we do if we go anywhere near the med is add a Scalibor collar

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[32143]

@Marzipan If you are using Bravecto this covers mosquito, tick and fleas. If your dog swims it prevents the liquid treatments damaging aquatic life. We have used for a few years now with no problems.
The other think to check is the type of worming tablet for the area you visit. In UK we use Milbermax, but for cover in Spain vet gave us a different one as they were due a dose two weeks after we set off. It was to cover lungworm or heartworm as Milbermax didn't cover this. They had no side effects from the change so I think we will stick with it all year. I can't remember the name but your vet should know.
Take tick removers and be vigilant checking for ticks. Our middle dog got Lyme's disease when we were in Germany, but I stress it was when living there, wasn't just a short trip.

Ps assume Marzipan is dogs name? I like it, our golden is called Boston, but her chocolate sister is Biskit, Marzipan would have worked well for her.

Edit Nige just found the empty packet the worming was called Milquantel. Dose every 3 months.

Lin

 

[Marzipan]

Thanks sdc77 and Lin for replies.
Marzipan was our beautiful golden retriever but sadly no longer with us. I really must update our profile photo!!
Our new dog is Tedi, a cross golden retriever with miniature poodle . We loved our retrievers but for motorhoming and after a year with no dog at all (intolerable) liked the idea of a slightly smaller non-moulting dog - well that is the hope.
Tedi currently is on Bravecto and Drontal and I will opt for Scalibor collar for this trip as we're going mid Feb-Apr, just two months to Spain via France. At present we don't know whether he'll swim , wait and see.
I'll ask our vet about worm treatment for Spain.
Thanks
Gail

 

[32143]

Thanks sdc77 and Lin for replies.
Marzipan was our beautiful golden retriever but sadly no longer with us. I really must update our profile photo!!
Our new dog is Tedi, a cross golden retriever with miniature poodle . We loved our retrievers but for motorhoming and after a year with no dog at all (intolerable) liked the idea of a slightly smaller non-moulting dog - well that is the hope.
Tedi currently is on Bravecto and Drontal and I will opt for Scalibor collar for this trip as we're going mid Feb-Apr, just two months to Spain via France. At present we don't know whether he'll swim , wait and see.
I'll ask our vet about worm treatment for Spain.
Thanks
Gail

Awe I'm sure Tedi will love travelling. Our van is named after our departed Millie.
Can see the sense in getting a smaller moult free dog, keep telling our three we will swap em if they don't stop shedding lol.

Lin

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