Is anyone having a problem with fleas this year? I put frontline on my 2 dogs 3 weeks ago and they still itch?

Question

I always put Frontline plus on my dogs and for some reason my dogs and everyone I know is having the same exact same problem. Usually Frontline plus works in a matter of two days. This time around? It's like I did not even treat them at all. Is anyone else having the same problem with fleas this year? What else can I do. That was really expensive $56.00 for flea medication that did not work at all. My dogs are both in the 120lb area. My Saint Bernard would be only to happy to not have to itch every couple of minutes. Please help with some advise!!!

Answer 1

I normally use Advantix but had the same thing happen with it.I normally buy in quantity and I was pretty mad about the stuff not working so I called the company that makes it.
The lady I spoke with instantly became defensive of the product starting to say I'd improperly applied it and I stopped her cos this ain't my first rodeo with either product.
I apply either at night right before bed.that way my dogs go to sleep and there's less chance they rub the stuff off rolling and rough-housing.this way there's at least 7 hrs.of dry time before they start playing.Next I do not allow my dogs to get wet a full 2 days after applying the stuff to give it ample time to soak in and dry completely.I check the directions before applying because Frontline is applied differently than Advantix so I always check to make certain before I start.
She agreed that it was not human error.then offered me an explanation for this dilemma.
There's only so much medicine in that tube.In an area where the fleas are highly concentrated they jump on the dog,bite and die.then more fleas jump on and bite and die.This continues and pretty soon the fleas have sucked all the meds out of the dog so the next round of fleas jump on the dog and bite and they don't die.they can't reproduce more fleas but they don't die when they bite. there is a very high concentration of fleas whenever the weather has been very wet because they hatch out of the ground and for those times of the year we need to apply 2 tubes of the stuff 2 weeks apart on the dog to keep it flea free.
It's not the stuff they're putting inside the tube it's the number of fleas on the dog.
Personally I think they just don't make it as strong as they used to so you'll have to put twice as much on.
But after I applied the second tube the scratchiess were all gone.Expensive but hey what're you gonna do?

Answer 2

RE: Frontline Plus is not working. Should I try Frontline Spray? Fleas are crazy this year! I have dutifully applied Frontline Plus monthly on my chihuahua mix but about a month ago, after 2 1/2 weeks of application I saw a live flea on my dog. What is worst is that she got tapeworms from that infestation. I reapplied Frontline Plus and had faith that the...

Answer 3

I have been experiencing the same problems here in England, my dog was riffing himself raw, even though he has never had fleas before, and has no contact with other dogs or cats. My vet told me that there is a real problem this year, as the fleas are becomming immune to the treatments. I have now taken my boy off Frontline, and he is now being treated with Advantage. it seems to be doing the trick. Change your treatment, and have a look on the internet for cheaper deals, I can get flea treatment half the price I pay at my local vet's.

Answer 4

I always keep Frontline on my dogs from March to late Nov and have had no problems ever with fleas. But I have read dozens of posts on here saying that people are having problems with fleas in some areas. I don't know why unless they either don't use Frontline faithfully or perhaps some fleas have become resistant to it. You are not the only one who has mentioned this problem.

Answer 5

Just putting Frontline on once will not solve the problem. Fleas have a life cycle of about 3 months. All you did was kill the fleas on your dogs. 90% of the flea life cycle is not on your dog, but in your carpet. So, until you treat your house, you will continue to have a problem. But, fleas are a big problem right now. I work for a veterinary dermatologist and we have seen tons of fleas this week alone!

Answer 6

OH YES! i live in GA and the flea are terrible. but im going to quote myself from another person who asked something similar not too long ago....


"i agree with most of whats said already, but i have to stress on getting rid of them in your house. go to a feed store or something and get yourself a good insect growth regulator(igr). that will cut down their life cycle and sterilize them as well. and vacuuming should be your second job. i did it every day for a while. after you are done, take it and empty it outside so none of them escape... and make sure you get something like frontline for ALL the animals in the house. that capstar works well too, tho its mostly just to kill off the fleas on the animal with no extended protection. I also spray the yard once a month with a pesticide. good luck, its going to be a long battle. just dont give up."

Answer 7

Yes, it's a bad year for fleas! Frontline isn't working here either. I switched to Advantix, too, and it's working great. I guess you just have to change what you use every now and then.

Answer 8

Fleas are out of control here too. I use only Advantix (not advantage) on my dogs,,,and for all of my customers pets. NO complaints at all with fleas. Frontline is decent, but can't keep up with fleas when there is a bad infestation.

Answer 9

I am using Frontline every two - three weeks and giving my dogs Brewers yeast with garlic. They still have fleas!

Answer 10

There are MANY causes of itching besides fleas. Fleas cause only a very small portion of itching in dogs. If your dogs are itching I would be looking for other causes.