I take Hobbes with me disc golfing and I was wondering if anyone had a preference between just using a shampoo or treatment or both? The park I go to on a regular basis has a bit of a rep for ticks. My vet said I would be fine with just a treatment, and no shampoo, but I was thinking both would be better...

I use a permethrin spot on for ticks (we have enormous tick pressure here and we are lyme endemic as well as babesiosis and others). For permethrin only, Freedom 45 from Tractor Supply, for permethrin with an Insect Growth Regulator to prevent flea larvae from developing, I use Vetguard Plus (which also has d-Limonene which smells wonderfully and some believe has insect repellent properties. Research is inconsistent on the latter.) Permethrin has only short (less then 3 weeks) action against adult fleas so I use fipronil once every 3 months.

My problem with the shampoos is they are after the fact, don't know if the have residual ongoing protection. And I believe it is better for their coat and skin if dogs are not shampoo'd very often (others will most certainly disagree with me )

Thanks for the input!

You are better off with a preventative rather than a bathing treatment after the fact. If you want to protect from disease then you want ticks to not want or have a chance to spend any time on your dog. I use fiproguard and recently went hiking in Kentucky and didn't get a single flea or tick. With bathing also you have to remember that if you use a topical application before you have to wait before bathing or you will wash the topical off.

Thank you very much!

I have been using Bravecto for Mochi since she was a puppy. I've never had any issues with any fleas or ticks on her.
I've heard some people say they had issues with Bravecto, but I never have so I guess just like for people, dogs react differently to medications. The pill is apparently pretty yummy because Mochi eats it like it's a treat. It lasts for 3 months. I have no plans of changing her medication since I haven't ever even seen a flea on her.

gwendah wrote:

I have been using Bravecto for Mochi since she was a puppy. I've never had any issues with any fleas or ticks on her.
I've heard some people say they had issues with Bravecto, but I never have so I guess just like for people, dogs react differently to medications. The pill is apparently pretty yummy because Mochi eats it like it's a treat. It lasts for 3 months. I have no plans of changing her medication since I haven't ever even seen a flea on her.

Same, it works great for my girl. She has never had an issue.

No sure where you live but you can get Braveco which is a spot on it lasts 3 month. I live in the country in the UK. I got fed up of removing ticks used Braveco no more ticks.

Here in the states, Bravecto a chew that the dog eats.

Our vet prescribed "NexGard" - he eats one on the first of every month.
No ticks/fleas and no side effect that I have noticed?

( Fairly expensive though...I dropped one down the sink and was cursing, there's $20 down the drain! )

We live in Maine where ticks are everywhere, and use the Seresto collar. We've been using for about a year now and haven't found a single tick on our pup! It seems to repel them quite well.

@bellanova
We were just in Southwest Harbor this month! We had blueberry icecream cones at the cafe (I can't remember it's name) and strolled around town. We also biked, hiked and kayaked in Acadia. Maine in the summer is like heaven...

I know I'm chiming in late, but I never recommend mixing treatments without first consulting a vet. That is how ticks, fleas, and other pest/parasitic creatures develope resistance to the medicines faster!

I use Advantix II Flea and Tick - You really should avoid over bathing your husky because it will dry out their skin. 2x a year is about all the bathing and grooming I do with my husky and she is fine.