Expert: Dave - 6/5/2009

Question
I had the exterminator here for 4 hours on Tues, and he said he used his product directly on his own dog, but my sheltie threw up and continued all night long with dry heaves.

She is 4 yrs old and I have been vigilant with frontline plus but she gets many many ticks, including engorged.

I treated her with frontline plus for large dogs on Monday even though she weighs 24 lbs.

My friend is determined to "dip" her.  My sister says no way should I expose her to more chemicals.  My sis raises shih-tzu 35 yrs and is usually right.  

I have been using tweezers and alcohol and picking off ticks 2-5 times a day.  I have given her a few baths recently, and i used flea shampoo back in early May.

She is my first dog, and the most wonderful.
Many vets have lied to me, or have been incompetent.  I have a hard time trusting them.  Especially since I moved to San Juan.  I did have a vet I trusted in Red Hook New York. I just realized I should contact him!  Please answer anyway.....I live a block from the beach.  save my sheltie and ou can come visit!

Answer
Hey!

dip?  well, that's for fleas not ticks.
exterminators?  they'll spray stuff on their own kids

switch to the advantix (or whatever the Bayer company version is)
we had a similar issue with our pups on frontline and decided to switch and have had much better luck

you should identify areas of your yard that have the ticks and remove the undergrowth;  I have even gone so far as to put down some serious anti-tick pesticide chemicals in some ares I felt like were tick prone, I didn't use it on the whole yard like the directions said, just in the brushy areas my dogs tended to run through

my best advice for those who live in bad tick areas?  move!  

definite advice:
1) NEVER SPRAY household stuff on dogs
2) NEVER use more than the recommended dose
3) if you aren't satisfied with your vet, it's ok to get a new one

hope that helps!
Dave