Ovicollar - Flea Collar For Dogs

[Rickiesmom]

I discussed flea prevention yesterday with my vet. As much as possible I am not giving Jaynie systemic products due to her history of acute kidney failure and residual damage (as suggested by some of her blood and urine values).

 

Normally I would use Program, which is very safe, but the vet mentioned a flea collar from Vet-Kem called the Ovicollar. It is treated with a growth inhibitor that supposedly remains on the skin vs. being absorbed.

 

I'm torn about what to do - I don't like the idea of a collar that should be worn loosely and am not convinced the stuff isn't absorbed, making it more or less like giving Program, and it doesn't kill adult fleas unless they bite, again, like Program.

 

Also, it's a new product so there isn't a good history yet.

 

On the other hand, even though it's very safe, I hate to give Jaynie anything systemic, though I've used Program for years with no issue, though never on Jaynie (she arrived after flea season). I did check with her internal medicine specialist, and he felt Program would be OK.

 

I would be interested to know your experience if you have or are using the Ovicollar. I couldn't find any information on the Vet-Kem website itself (!) but did find this and a few other articles on Google:

 

Ovicollar for Dogs

 

 

As an aside, we're not doing hearworm preventatives (normally I use Interceptor) - we'll do blood tests twice a year or so instead (there are incidences of heartworm here, but it's not all that prevalent).

 

Please let me know your thoughts.

[Guest Energy11]

I am very very happy with good ole' Adams Flea and Tick Mist. HOTT and MUGGY here lately, and no problems. The active ingredient in Adams, Pyrethrins, is made from the oil of the crysanthemum flower, and is safe for mammels. It raised HEck on insects, including ticks and fleas. It is safe, and tried and and true! I swear by it!

 

I stay away from flea collars, including the Prevantix collar.

Edited May 12, 2010 by Energy11

[silverfish]

I think I'd stick with Program since it has such low toxicity to mammals. I'd rather use it than a new, untried product, and certainly I'd rather use it than pyrethrin or any other poison, natural or not.

 

Any pesticide which works by poisoning the insects is going to have some toxicity, which then has to be metabolised by your dog's liver and often processed through the kidneys. Personally, I'd stick with the products which work on interfering with insect metabolism, which works in a different way to that of mammals. Capstar to kill 'em and Program to stop them reproducing. Capstar has shown to be safe at ten times the recommended dose (NO adverse reactions noted in any of the control group animals) and lufenuron (Program) was tested at 'hundreds of times' the label dose with no adverse reactions noted - and they couldn't establish a toxic dose. The chemical in Program simply does not get metabolised by mammals, so no organ damage is at all likely. It also has no drug interactions, apparently. Both are safe for pregnant and nursing animals too.

 

If your vet isn't keen on you using those two products, I'd be interested to know why?

[Batmom]

I honestly would continue the Program or similar, and the heartworm preventive (Interceptor would be good). These products are safe for dogs with some kidney impairment -- safer than dealing with an infestation would be if you got one.

[Sambuca]

I know garlic in large quantities is poisonous to dogs, but in small dosages, I have heard that it kills fleas if added to the dogs food. Ask your vet if that is a possibility. I would also think that a homeopathic vet would have some good answers for you.

[Rickiesmom]

Thank you all for your input. I wanted to do due-dilligence on the Ovicollar, but was uncomfortable with it - too many medical unknowns, bad to be wearing a loose collar when unattended, not sure what the implications of grooming would be.

 

I'm going to go with Program. Jaynie's internal med specialist, whom I totally trust, said it was very safe, in fact, he said I could use Interceptor as well, though I am still undecided on that one. (I use both products rather than the combined Sentinel so I can give them a couple weeks apart.)