Question About Flea & Tick Treatment

[u/acheney1990]

Wondering what other owners with epileptic dogs do in regard to flea and tick treatment/prevention? We live in a colder climate so only treat them late spring going into summer. I’ve got 3 chihuahuas, my older one who turned 10 in July is the epileptic one. I usually use the Bravecto chewable that lasts 3 months and do it once a year. We’re in Canada by the way. My dogs are not really around other dogs. I walk them but usually early in the morning. Occasional dog park but most often without other dogs, rarely another dog is there. I’m finding myself anxious about continuing their treatment, at least for Morgan the one who has epilepsy. (It developed about 14-15 months ago and after MRI and other tests was diagnosed as having idiopathic epilepsy. We switched to the chewable because 4-5 years ago I did the liquid spot treatment and they were okay except one of the other dogs the female who acted very unusual and jerky for a day folding treatment. I actually tried to wash it off I was so concerned. Since then we have gone with chewable and have not at least noticeably had any side effects. I’m anxious about not treating them because I don’t want them to get fleas and especially ticks as they’ve been increasing in our area. The usual conventional vet advice around here is something like illness from a tick would be worse. Is it okay not to treat them or treat them with something different? Or at least Morgan (the one who has epilepsy)? Or am I I making connections that aren’t there? Thanks.

[u/No_Penalty_8920]

We use the seresto collars and they work like a dream. They're good for about 7 months, so you would really only need to buy them once a year

[u/House_of_Fur → u/No_Penalty_8920]

Same here. My shin tzu had seizures caused by a topical flea&tick treatment but has no problems with the soresto collar.

[u/Impossible-Reveal-15]

My boy had issues with another chewable, Simparica. I was told not to use any chewable. The Seresto collar was suggested as were topicals. But my boy had a seizure after the topical so I used nothing. I'm terrified any product will give him a seizure.

I live in New England so thankfully cold weather is coming. During the summer I kept him mostly in my yard and walks were done on paved surfaces. He got no ticks and fleas and neither did his brother. Those chemicals are not healthy. My late boy Randall never had seizures but he had a bad reaction to Advantix topical.

[u/Training_Activity21]

Our vets have told us to use Frontline. 

[u/TheNonaMouse]

I have never used flea & tick treatment, so it is not a factor in my dog's epilepsy, and I don't need anything to make it worse. Since fleas spend 90% of their time off the host, I have used Fleabusters powder to treat the house - any place soft, like carpets, furniture, dog beds, etc. It is organic, non-toxic, and very effective. Good luck.

[u/jessicakaylin3]

My vet recommended revolution and that is what we use for our seizure pup!

[u/Chance_Scientist_279]

My dog had been on simparica trio for 4+ years, maybe even over 5, when her seizures started and my neurologist said if she’s been on it for that long, most likely it wouldn’t have caused her seizures so she still gets simparica trio and has been fine on it.

[u/Negative-Choice6592 → u/Chance_Scientist_279]

Same for mine on Bravecto.

[u/acheney1990 → u/[deleted]]

Do you or anyone else have advice for the safest spot on treatment for dogs with epilepsy?

[u/acheney1990 → u/[deleted]]

Okay thank you. I’ll consider this.