Last time I used Frontline I am sure it caused a reaction on Jade's neck so I am a bit wary about using it again. Can anyone recommend a treatment, particularly effective against ticks, that is not a spot on treatment.

Have you tried a scalibor collar? Its like the old fashioned flea collars and it lasts for 6 months and repels ticks. Not sure it works for fleas though. It needs to be worn all the time except when swimming as it kills fish!

Hi, I am not a lover of Frontline.  Had used it for years and then met the 1 dog in a million where the Frontline got into the bloodstream - wont ever use it again!
I use CSJ Billy No Mates.  It's a herbal mixture that you just sprinkle a spoonfull on their food each day.  You need to use it for 6 months for it to start becoming effective.  I have to admit that I've been sceptical, but have been using it around 18 months.  For Frontline to be effective against ticks you need to treat each month, and ticks will still attach but they wont last long!  I have found with the Billy No Mates a similar effect, the tick will attach but when removed they certainly are not healthy and full of fight!!  I know plenty of people who use garlic as a preventative against fleas and presume ticks.
If you're wanting a non-chemical route BNM is worth a try.

Im using advocate worm and flea treatment for my puppy
Jean

Thanks for your suggestions. The scalibor collar is not really practical as she swims most days, I will look into putting her on Billy No Mates, but in the meantime think I will go with the Advocate. Thanks again for your suggestions, they are very much appreciated.

Hi Goldiemad, sorry, was just re-reading my post (why, I have no idea!) and spotted that I put you have to use Billy No Mates for 6 months before it builds up.  Durrr, this should have been 6 weeks, sorry 'bout that.

I'm confused as i thought you didn't want a spot on treatment? Advocate is a spot on treatment just like all the others!

Sorry to cause confusion. Ideally I didn't want a spot on treatment, but it looks like I will have to use one short term, and as I definitely don't want to use frontline, think I will go with the Advocate. Unfortunately the collar is not really suitable as she swims most days, usually in reservoirs (containing drinking water) or in the river at the back of our house which has brown trout in it!!! Thanks for your suggestion though.

I would think any of the spot-on treatments would loose some of their potency if she is in water every day (I think on the packs it mentions keeping them dry for a certain period of time so it can be absorbed through the skin). Just a thought! You may well be throwing your money away.

I tried Billy No Mates out last year and thought it was great.  Just a pain when you have to add it to 22 dog bowls though!
Tried the tincture and also premixing the complete food with it too.  No hassle if you only have a couple of dogs and I found no creepy crawlies
and definately wasnt finding the same amount of ticks and lived in a high tick area.
I have been speaking to a homeopath recently and she also advised tea tree oil rubbed over the coat makes the dogs less attractive to latch onto.

Just a note about spot ons, few people seem to be aware of the fact that Frontline can kill most creatures in water if your dog goes in within 5 days of it being applied ;-( - not something put on the packet!!  I don't mean ducks and things, it's the much smaller organisms that suffer.  No experience of Advocate, but presume a similar response.  Just a thought with you saying your dogs swim a lot.

Practic is the one which is supposed to be good for dogs that swim alot, not sure what it does to the fish though.

Just to agree that Billy No Mates has been very successful for our flattie - no ticks or fleas since we have been using it.

Advatix does our two ok.

Thanks for all your comments. I had never really thought about the spot ons being harmful to aquatic organisms and feel quite guilty now.

I have decided that she will have to take her chances against the dreaded ticks this next holiday, but I have ordered some Billy No Mates, so hopefully that will give her future protection. I do check her on a daily basis and we have some of the little green hook-like tick removers which do a great job or removing them head and all. I hate the little blighters, and am glad that our area does not seem to have a problem with them, even though it is full of sheep and deer!!