Frontline Plus for dogs
Frontline Plus - how can I tell the fake from the real (as per the warning issued by the EPA)
For pet meds like Frontline plus - the authentic pet meds will have the following criteria :
- The lot number on the retail carton matches the lot number on the applicator package and/or the individual applicators.
- The instruction leaflet is included. It provides the following information: first-aid statements, including emergency U.S. telephone numbers; precautionary statements for humans and pets; directions for use; and storage and disposal statements.
- The pesticide is contained in an applicator package, which is child-resistant. The directions for opening the child- resistant applicator package include an illustration that actually looks like the applicator package. The directions include "To remove applicator, use scissors or lift and remove plastic tab to expose foil, then pull down."
- The legitimate applicator package has a notch between the individual applicator packages, which generally are absent on counterfeit products. Text on the package is in English only.
- Once you open the applicator package, each individual applicator has a label that includes the registrant's name "Merial;" the product name; the EPA registration number; the net contents in fluid ounces (fl. oz.) (not in metric measure, i.e., ml); percentage (%) of active ingredient(s) (fipronil for Frontline Top Spot products; and fipronil and (S)-methoprene for Frontline Plus products); and the statements "CAUTION," "Keep out of reach of children," and "See full label for additional directions." Text is in English only.
- The applicator label for the dog products includes the size of the dog in pounds on which the product is to be used.
For this very reason, ONLY buy from reputable pet medication distributors, saving a few dollars and buying cheap imitations would mean at best that your dog isn't well protected against fleas and ticks OR at worst the stuff actually ends up poisoning your dog.
Frontline plus - important drug and usage information
The active ingredients in Frontline plus are fipronil and S-methoprene. Frontline plus acts against all stages of the brown dog tick, the American dog tick, lone star tick and deer ticks. Deer ticks are the major carriers of Lyme Disease. Frontline plus is also active against the adult flea, flea larvae and flea eggs. Research shows that it kills 100% of fleas on dogs within 18 hours of application and 100% of ticks within 48 hours of application. How does it work? Frontline plus acts by hyperstimulating fleas so you might notice that the fleas seem even more active just before they die. Frontline plus is waterproof and is used as a monthly application for dogs over 8 weeks of age.
Frontline plus for is applied by placing the applicator tip through the dog's hair in between the shoulder blades and all the contents are placed in that one spot. Note that the product is flammable so keep away from heat/flame. Frontline plus can also cause eye irritation so avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children.
According to the manufacturer, Frontline plus is suitable for dogs over 8 weeks of age. Compare the prices (and I've included shipping costs) for Frontline plus for cats at the leading pet medication outlets and then pick from the one offering you the best deal. I've provided an example for Frontline plus for small dogs as an example below.
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1800 Pet Meds | VetAmerica | EntirelyPets |
| Frontline plus small dogs (11-22lbs)– 3 vial pack | $38.99 | $30.99 | $24.99 (sale price) |
| Frontline plus small dogs (11-22lbs) – 6 vial pack | $71.99 (FREE shipping) | $62.99 | $44.99 (sale price) |
| Shipping costs within USA (the usual state of affairs unless otherwise stated in their banner offers below) | Free shipping for orders over $39. Otherwise it's $3.99. | $5.95 flat fee | Free shipping for orders over $100. Otherwise flat fee of $3.95 regardless of number of items in the order. |
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Visit 1800petmeds | Visit VetAmerica | Visit EntirelyPets |
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Frontline Plus (Small) for dogs <10kg (11-22lbs)
Frontline plus provides monthly control of fleas and ticks. Frontline Plus is a spot on application with ingredients that kills 98% of adult fleas on your dog within 24 hours and also has an ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae. Comes in a 3 vial pack or a 6 vial pack |
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Frontline Plus (Medium) for dogs 10-20kg (23-44lbs)
Frontline plus provides monthly control of fleas and ticks. Frontline Plus is a spot on application with ingredients that kills 98% of adult fleas on your dog within 24 hours and also has an ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae. Comes in a 3 vial pack or a 6 vial pack |
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Frontline Plus (Large) for dogs 20-40kg (45-88lbs)
Frontline plus provides monthly control of fleas and ticks. Frontline Plus is a spot on application with ingredients that kills 98% of adult fleas on your dog within 24 hours and also has an ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae. Comes in a 3 vial pack or a 6 vial pack |
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Frontline Plus (Extra Large) for dogs more than 40kg (>89lbs)
Frontline plus provides monthly control of fleas and ticks. Frontline Plus is a spot on application with ingredients that kills 98% of adult fleas on your dog within 24 hours and also has an ingredient that kills flea eggs and larvae. Comes in a 3 vial pack or a 6 vial pack |
Frontline Plus Dogs - frequently asked questions
- Can I give my dog a bath after I've applied Frontline Plus?
Yes you can but it's recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after you've applied Frontline Plus before letting your dog get wet (that includes swimming).
- My dog loves to swim, can I still use Frontline Plus on him/her?
Frontline Plus is water fast and stays in the oil on your pet's fur/skin so as long as you give the product 48 hours to 'dry' on the dog, it's okay for your dog to go for his/her swim.
- I've applied the Frontline Plus on my dog and I still see fleas hopping around the dog like mad? Is it
working?
Fact that you actually see the fleas hopping around madly is proof that Frontline Plus is actually working. The active ingredient in Frontline is Fipronil and what it does is to hyperstimulate fleas (and ticks) so that they do the mad hopping thing just before they kick the bucket. It takes up to 18 hours for a 100% kill rate on fleas so be patient. Ticks take a bit longer to die (48 hours).
- I'm using Frontline Plus there are still fleas I see around the carpets and bedding? What gives?
That's because fleas lay their eggs in the environment and these fleas have probably hatched from fleas that laid their eggs before you commenced your Frontline Plus treatment of your dog. If you persist with treating your pet with Frontline Plus, you will 'break' the cycle.
- Do I use Frontline Plus all year round even in the colder months?
Well, most owners use the product just before the flea season starts which is usually when the weather starts to warm up in spring/summer. It is advisable to start just before the weather starts to get really balmy so that you stop the 'plague' in the first place. In some states/countries, you will probably have to use it all year round due to the relatively mild autumn/winters.
- When can I start my puppy on Frontline Plus?
Frontline Plus is suitable for puppies over 8 weeks of age.
- My dog is nursing puppies, can I still use Frontline Plus on her?
Yes. The product is safe to use on breeding dogs, pregnant dogs and lactating dogs.
- I'm trying to decide which flea product to use on my new pet dog, which one is the best? I've looked at Frontline
plus, Advantage and Revolution - is any one of these more reliable than the other?
All of the above work against fleas but some have added bonuses ie some work by knocking out the adult fleas AND preventing the flea eggs from hatching so you get a double whammy. Revolution and Frontline Plus do both the adults and the flea eggs. Frontline Plus also knocks out 4 major ticks as does Advantix (similar to Advantage but it also knocks out ticks), Revolution only knocks out the American Deer Tick. Some are waterproof, others don't have that claim. To read more see flea spot on treatments. The other thing to note is that Advantage and Frontline Plus are both over the counter type drugs whilst Revolution is a prescription only drug.
- I live in the USA and bought Frontline Plus from an internet online store and it has the weight of the dog specified in
kilograms and not pounds? Can I still use it on my dog?
If the product has been produced for sale in Australia or UK, then the likelihood is that because these countries are all metric, the calibrations on the packaging will reflect that ie the weight of the dog with be in pounds, the amount of Frontline Plus in each applicator will be in millilitres and the concentration of the fipronil will be in g/L not %. Just check that the packaging has NRA approval numbers on it with all the relevant instructions (ALL in English). Frontline Plus is approved for use in Australia by different authorities ie the APVMA (Australia Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority) whilst American Frontline Products are regulated by the EPA. Because these are 2 different authorities governing the sale of a similar product, you may find that it is illegal to actually use the product you have even if it does contain the same fipronil product in exactly the same concentration if only because the Australian product has not been approved for sale in America. Theoretically it will not 'harm' your dog (after all it is the same stuff) but you need to understand that if anything does happen to your dog that you will probably be on your backfoot when it comes to any warranties or legal claims that you may want to make if anything should go wrong.
- Are there any side effects of Frontline Plus?
Fipronil (the chemical ingredients in Frontline Plus) has been shown in studies to be neurotoxic to dogs and rats and affects the reproduction of rats. There have also been some disturbing reports of carcinogenicity (cancer causing) in the rat studies (however it must be stated that rats in these studies were given large amounts of fipronil and not the usual dose rate that is given to dogs/cats in flea prevention). It is classed as a Possible Human Carcinogen based on the studies done on rats. Constant exposure is the worry and there was a warning issued in 1996 regarding the Frontline spray product to all pet groomers and veterinarians who would be exposed at a far greater level than the public as there is a greater chance of inhalation and absorption of the product through the skin at increasing doses with these professions. The most common side effect seen with Frontline Plus application is skin irritation at the point of application. However there have been reports of animals that are allergic to Fipronil, and these animals will react violently to the product.
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