Frontline Plus for large dogs.
Frontline Plus is one of the most popular flea treatment/prevention products on the market. Developed by Merial, it doesn’t just kill fleas like other products, but instead it breaks their life cycle to stop the infestation in its tracks. If you can’t seem to keep these blood-sucking parasites off your dog, you should consider using Frontline.
Key Points of Frontline Plus:
- Kills adult fleas, eggs and larvae.
- Reduces the risk of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD).
- A single application offers a full month of protection.
- Protects against fleas and ticks.
- Begins to work in just 24 hours.
- Waterproof and won’t come off when you give your dog a bath.
Flea eggs buried inside dog’s coat: photo by Katie Brady.
How Does Frontline Work?
The primary active ingredient in Frontline is fipronil. Fipronil is an insecticide that works to disrupt the central nervous system, blocking the transportation of chloride ions through GABA receptor.
If all of this sounds overly technical, let me break it down for you: Fipronil kills fleas, larvae and even their eggs by breaking their life cycle. Contrary to what some people may believe, Frontline isn’t absorbed into the dog’s blood. Instead, it spreads throughout body where it’s mixed with the oils of their skin. When a flea jumps onto the dog’s body, it’s immediately exposed to the product, at which point it begins to die.
Frontline Tips
If you’re going to use Frontline on your dog, make sure you choose the appropriate type based on your dog’s size. This product is available in several different sizes, ranging from small to extra large. The ingredients remain the same, but the dosage varies depending on the size.
Although Frontline is technically waterproof, it’s still a good idea to avoid bathing your dog until the medicine has dried on their skin. Bathing your dog immediately after you apply Frontline will result in some of the medicine washing off. Try to wait at least 48 hours after application before washing your dog.
Frontline is generally considered one of the safer flea treatment/prevention products on the market. With that said, it’s still a good idea to monitor your dog following an application. If you notice your dog is scratching excessively, pacing around or exhibiting other unusual behavior, take them to the emergency veterinarian clinic immediately.
How would you rate the effectiveness of Frontline Plus? Let us know in the comments section below!