FRONTLINE PLUS REVIEWS

Frontline is a flea control product marketed and manufactured by the Merial company. Merial is a multinational company that specializes in animal health products. Merial is actually a joint venture company between Sanofi-Adventis and Merck & Co. Merial’s total global market shares equate to around 14%. Merial was first founded in 1997, and is now present in over 150 countries worldwide. In addition to producing Frontline flea control product, Merial is also responsible for manufacturing products such as Ivomec, Heartgard and Previcox. Merial is a member of the Lyon BioPole competitiveness cluster.

FRONTLINE PLUS PRODUCT INFORMATION

Frontline is applied by squeezing a small tube of the Frontline formula onto an animal’s back, usually between the shoulder blades. Unlike some other formulas, frontline only needs to be applied to a single spot on an animal’s skin in order to be effective. According to test result data, Frontline is able to kill 100% of all adult fleas on a pet’s skin within twelve hours after the initial application. In addition to this, Frontline also works to break the flea’s life cycle, which helps to prevent future infestations. The only currently recorded side effect that is officially associated with application of Frontline brand flea control product is that there is a chance of skin irritation at the application site. This side effect is usually related to a pet having a certain sensitivity to the ingredients used in Frontline’s formula. The active ingredient in Frontline brand flea control products is cited as being Fipronil, a general-spectrum insecticide that acts on a flea’s central nervous system. Frontline also contains S Methoprene, another insecticidal product commonly used in flea control products.

FRONTLINE PLUS FORMULAS

1. FRONTLINE FOR DOGS – Frontline for dogs is currently available in four different specialized formulas, which are classified by a dog’s total weight. The available formulas are categorized by dogs up to 22 lbs, dogs from 23 – 44 lbs, dogs from 45 – 88 lbs, and dogs from 89 – 132 lbs. All of these formulas are available both in a 3 dose and a 6 dose package. The 3 dose package usually costs from $36 – $45, and the 6 dose package can cost anywhere from $68 to $82, depending on the retailer. All of these formulas contain both Fipronil (9.8% concentration) and S Methoprene (8.8% concentration). Inert ingredients make up approximately 81.4% of the Frontline for dogs formula.
2. FRONTLINE FOR CATS -Frontline for cats is currently available in either a 3 dose or a 6 dose package. The 3 dose package costs from $35 – $46, and the 6 dose package usually costs from $62 to $70. The listed active ingredients are Fipronil (9.8% concentration) and S Methoprene (11.8% concentration). Inert ingredients make up approximately 78.4% of this formula. This formula should only be given to cats that are over eight weeks of ave.

FRONTLINE PLUS CUSTOMER REVIEWS AND RATINGS

Customer reviews about Frontline brand flea control products, while mostly positive, do cite some potential problems that some pet owners experienced with this product.  Some customers listed that the product was only effective for one week, while others reported that it was effective for the full four weeks.

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Promeris for Dogs Reviews

Promeris for Dogs is a topical flea and tick control product manufactured by Fort Dodge Animal Health. Fort Dodge Animal Health is the Animal Health division of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest producers of pharmaceutical products worldwide. In addition to being available in a formula for dogs, Promeris is also available as a formula for cats. However, Promeris for Dogs contains ingredients to help control both flea and tick infestations, while Promeris for Cats is only marketed as being able to be used for flea control in cats. Promeris for Dogs is only available by obtaining a prescription from a veterinarian, and is not currently able to be purchased over the counter.

PRODUCT FORMULA

Promeris for Dogs is currently available in five different formulas, each of which is designed to be effective for dogs in a specific weight range. The currently available formulas are designed as follows:

• For Dogs 10 lbs and under
• For Dogs from 11 lbs to 22 lbs
• For Dogs from 23 to 55 lbs
• For Dogs from 56 to 88 lbs
• For Dogs from 89 to 110 lbs

Promeris for Dogs is marketed as being waterproof, though needs to dry for a short period of time after the initial application. To properly apply Promeris, the entire contents of the application tube need to be applied to the back of a dog’s neck. In order for Promeris to absorb properly, it needs to be applied as close to the skin as possible.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

There are two active ingredients contained in Promeris for dogs, each of which is either effective at controlling fleas or ticks. Amitraz is an antiparasitic ingredient that classified as an alpha-adenergic agonist. Amitraz is primarily used to control tick infestations in dogs, though may cause sedation among other side effects. Amitraz should also be used with caution in diabetic dogs, since it can have an effect  on blood glucose levels.  Metaflumizone is the other active ingredient contained in Promeris for dogs, which is a novel sodium channel blocker insecticide. Metaflumizone is a relatively new chemical compound, which has been used to effectively control fleas in both dogs and cats with relatively high effectiveness.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS AND RATINGS

Customer reviews of Promeris for dogs are relatively mixed. Though many dog owners report using Promeris for dogs without any problems, some pet owners state that they have experienced potentially alarming side effects from use of this product. Most of the stated side effects listed in negative reviews are lethargy, muscle spasms, vomiting and diarrhea. These side effects are relatively rare, though are cited by some veterinarians as only being present when the product formula is ingested by an animal. When applying Promeris for dogs, it is very important to apply the product in a spot where the dog is not able to accidentally ingest the product formula. Positive reviews about Promeris for dogs state that it works just as advertised, being able to effectively control both flea and tick infestations for a full four weeks.

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