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  1. #1
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    Default Use of Comfortis for Flea Control?

    Inasmuch as my wife just asked me about using 'Comfortis' for flea control on our Golden, I did a search and an FDA warning showed up.

    COMFORTIS® and ivermectin interaction Safety Warning Notification

    http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/.../ucm047942.htm

    My question is since we DO use Ivermectin in the 4:1 ratio with Glycol:Ivermec, should I ASSUME that that is NOT(?) the dosage that's being referred to in this FDA warning?

    OR is the mixing of Ivermectin and COMFORTIS a bad idea no matter what?


    We've always used 'Program' on a monthly basis for flea control, but Program is no longer being produced, so we're looking for the best alternative.

    Any info from the gallery here on this issue???
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  2. #2
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    http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local...-deaths/nbpSg/

    Our dog is on Trifexis............ for now..
    F**K Cancer

    Just Damn.

  3. #3
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    I use liquid ivermectin and comfortis. I make sure I do the dose at least a week apart, prefer 2 weeks. We haven't had any issues yet.
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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by MsCedarSwampRetrievers View Post
    I use liquid ivermectin and comfortis. I make sure I do the dose at least a week apart, prefer 2 weeks. We haven't had any issues yet.
    McCedarSR,

    Based on my discussion with the 'Comfortis Vet', the mixing of 'off-label' usage of an Ivomec 1%/Ivermectin solution with Comfortis could result in Ivermectin toxicity. This is created because the medicine in Comfortis, Spinosad, reduces the speed at which the body breaks down the Ivermectin (I think I've got that right...?)... and even a week or two delay in administering the meds wouldn't greatly reduce that risk factor.

    She said it all came down to how well each dog could handle the resultant higher levels of Ivermectin that would end up in their body (I'm paraphrasing because I couldn't write fast enough). She also agreed with me that I should reassess the ratio I'm presently using (4:1) so as to possibly reduce the amount of Ivermectin my dog is receiving each month, regardless of whether I decided to use the Comfortis, which she did not recommend I do other than to abide by the safety information regarding Comfortis usage with other meds.

    When I told her I wasn't comfortable with what I was hearing/reading about Trifexis and that I would just have to find another way to deal with fleas, she was very pleasant and welcomed me to call back if I had any other questions.

    If anyone would like to discuss any of this with one of their Vets, the Comfortis Customer Care line number is 888-545-5973.

    http://www.comfortis.com/about-us/how-to-reach-us.aspx

    Hope this help some.

    Smiley, good question. How about we start a fresh thread with a poll... 4:1, 9:1, 30:1, Other..., etc...?
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  5. #5
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    I just asked the missus about this. She's recommending erring on the side of caution with Comfortis and ivermectin.

    We use Comfortis on our dogs.
    Rule #2: Double tap

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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by MsCedarSwampRetrievers View Post
    I use liquid ivermectin and comfortis. I make sure I do the dose at least a week apart, prefer 2 weeks. We haven't had any issues yet.
    That's what we used to do with Program also... two weeks apart.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mobetter View Post
    I just asked the missus about this. She's recommending erring on the side of caution with Comfortis and ivermectin.

    We use Comfortis on our dogs.
    Guess I'm not sure what it is you're recommending, Mobetter... not using Comfortis?

    Thanks for the link, nitro. I've not felt comfortable with any of the newer drugs these past several years. Not saying I know anything medically, and many Vets would tell me I don't know what I'm talking about, but "If it ain't broke, I ain't gonna "fix it"...", and the Ivermec solution seems to have done the job without any apparent side effects for years. Now we just have to decide whether to use anything for the potential fleas. Fortunately we haven't had much of an issue the past few years here.
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    "Keep your powder dry, Boys!"
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by WoodieSC View Post


    Guess I'm not sure what it is you're recommending, Mobetter... not using Comfortis?
    No, that's not what I'm recommending. You were asking about using Comfortis and ivermectin together.

    Do what you feel is best.
    Rule #2: Double tap

    The truth is a lie that will get you killed.

    Duncraft Pro-Staff

  8. #8
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    Seresto collar for flea and tick

    Pro heart 6 injection for heartworms


    The collars last 8 months, injection lasts 6 months. Easy peasy...

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by marsh chicken View Post
    Seresto collar for flea and tick

    Pro heart 6 injection for heartworms


    The collars last 8 months, injection lasts 6 months. Easy peasy...
    Pro Heart 6 is probably the LAST of the new meds I'd put in one of my dogs.

    It was pulled from the market once. I'm surprised it's back. Whatever...

    http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2008/0...ed-proheart-6/
    .
    Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue
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    "Keep your powder dry, Boys!"
    ~ George Washington

    "If I understood everything I said I'd be a genius." ~ 'Unknown'

  10. #10
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    I just had a lengthy and pleasant discussion with a Vet from the Comfortis Customer Help Center.

    The bottom line is that I will NOT use Comfortis for the time being until I reassess the dilution ratio we are using for the Ivomec 1% solution. The present solution appears to be much too high to be a 'safe risk'... and is probably much higher than we need it to be for HW prevention and worming.

    Will discuss this with our Vet before I make any changes or decisions and then will post it up here for others to reference the info if they choose to.

    Thanks!
    .
    Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue
    .
    "Keep your powder dry, Boys!"
    ~ George Washington

    "If I understood everything I said I'd be a genius." ~ 'Unknown'

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by WoodieSC View Post
    Pro Heart 6 is probably the LAST of the new meds I'd put in one of my dogs.

    It was pulled from the market once. I'm surprised it's back. Whatever...

    http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2008/0...ed-proheart-6/
    No offense, but your source is a California nut job who wrote a book about her personal opinions on dog care. Her advice on heartworms prevention is to not give your dog any meds and just make sure your yard doesn't have standing water. Thanks I'll stick with the opinions of those who went to vet school.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by marsh chicken View Post
    No offense, but your source is a California nut job who wrote a book about her personal opinions on dog care. Her advice on heartworms prevention is to not give your dog any meds and just make sure your yard doesn't have standing water. Thanks I'll stick with the opinions of those who went to vet school.
    I apologize for not reading that whole article. I just pulled one of many off a Google search. The debate on Pro Heart 6 was quite heated and lengthy a few years ago and all of the bad news did NOT come from the 'California Nut Job'.

    Good luck and hope your dog does well on it.

    Btw, our dog's Vet refuses to sell or prescribe Pro Heart 6, so I'll go along with his professional opinion.
    .
    Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue
    .
    "Keep your powder dry, Boys!"
    ~ George Washington

    "If I understood everything I said I'd be a genius." ~ 'Unknown'

  13. #13
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    Been using Comfortis for the last couple of years. I don't use it every month but generally as needed, no problems yet.

    My vets office has been taken over by foreigners' here in the last few months and they've been trying to sell me on the Trifexis but I don't think I'm going to be changing up now.

  14. #14
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    I use trifexis. I don't think it works as well as it should

  15. #15
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    Not to hijack but what solution ivermectin is everyone using for heartworm? Frequency?

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