Frontline Top Spot vs. Program Comparison

Frontline Top Spot

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Program

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Program

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Kills Fleas

Repels Fleas

Kills Flea eggs and Larvae

Breaks the flea cycle

Prevents Development

Kills Ticks

Repels Ticks

Kills and/or Repels Mosquitoes

Prevents Heartworm

Other Parasites Information

Kills chewing lice in dog and puppies and controls mites that may cause sarcoptic mange.

Waterproof (shampooing once a week can reduce effectiveness)

Not Applicable

Safe for pregnant or nursing Pets

How long does it take to work

Kills Fleas within 12 hours of contact and Ticks within 48 hours of contact.

Starts working immediately to stop the reproduction of adult fleas.

Begins to work immediately.

Taste

Applied To Skin

Unflavored liquid

Beef Flavor

Active Ingredient(s)

Fipronil

Lufenuron

RX Required

Dosage

Usage

Video

Coming soon

Vet Review

One of my favorite and most widely prescribed flea and tick control products in practice front line top spot offers not only the ease of application in one spot, where it collects in the hair follicles and skin oils and gradually released over the month, but also a wide area of safety in most pets, including breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs. . It will kill adult fleas and larvae by selectively affecting the parasite's nervous system. Efficacy against flea eggs is variable in my experience and opinion. It will also kill chewing lice and some veterinarians, including myself have seen it work to help control demodectic mange and ear mites, although it is it not approved for use for these uses. This versatile product will also kill all stages of various ticks including brown dog ticks, american dog ticks, lone star ticks and deer ticks. I have also used it to control sarcoptic mange infestations in dogs, but will often go to topical revolution first in sarcoptic mange or ivermectin as my first choices for scabies. In general I find that fleas and ticks are generally killed before they have the chance to transmit diseases in patients, usually being close to 100% effective within 24 to 48 hours. The formulation is water proof so it is certainly appropriate to use in those outdoor dogs who love to swim. I have only seen occasional/rare side effects at the sight of application, and even more rare systemic reactions like digestive upset or neurological reactions or blood disorders in extremely sensitive pets. However these reactions are rare in my experience. In geriatric patients or sick patients or those with chronic disease it is important to consult with your veterinarian before applying this or any other topical flea and tick product.

Because of the difficulty for some clients in getting their cats to take pills, the development of this flavorable suspension to mix easily with their wet food has made compliance and efficacy of flea control a lot easier. Getting felines to take medication can always be a challenge. When not accepted in food, many clients have found mixing in various tuna or clam juices, oil, broth, gravy or sardines another way of administering this and other medications. As mentioned in my product review on program tablets, this product works best when given with meals for maximal absorption as well as before fleas are firmly established on the pet and in the home. It works by preventing development of flea eggs and larvae by in essence sterilizing the adult fleas who happen to bite the animal. The product does not kill existing adult fleas and must be combined with other products like Capstar or topical Advantage or Frontline in pets with active flea populations. I find it works best as a preventative before flea season. Many clients will chose to use this and other flea products year round due to the warming of the climate and the unpredictability of the flea season. I give this product an overall rating of a 4 with an ease of use and taste a 5 and efficacy a 4.

For my clients who prefer an effective non-pesticide manner of preventing and controlling fleas on their dogs and cats, program offers a wonderful alternative. When this product first came out, I used to educate my clients on the fact that it was in essence a birth control pill for fleas. The main ingredient lufeneron is an insect growth regulator that does not kill adult fleas, but sterilizes adult fleas and prevents them from laying eggs that develop into larvae and future adults. Each adult flea can lay up to 2000 eggs in its life. It is because of this effect on flea development which makes program such a wonderful preventative. For existing flea infestations, I don't find this product works as well unless it is combined with oral Capstar, which kills adult fleas on cats and/or topical products like Frontline or Advantage. I have found this product both very safe and effective with only rare side effects seen i.e rare digestive upset. It is best given with a meal for maximal absorption which is hard on some kitty owners My overall rating of this product is a 4 with ease of use a 4, taste a 4 and efficacy a 5, in particular for preventing flea infestations before they become established.

Our expert panel consists of licensed veterinarians and the knowledgeable staff of PetMed Express, Inc. d/b/a 1-800-PetMeds. Neither the Company nor any of its employees or consultants make any warranties, expressed or implied, or representations about the accuracy or completeness of the content or the content of any site or external sites. Likewise, no legal liability or responsibility is assumed for the accuracy or completeness of any information, or usefulness of products discussed. While every effort has been made to accurately represent the qualities and characteristics of each product, which for the most part were taken directly from the websites of the manufacturers, we are not responsible for any errors. The information presented is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.