While it is always a good idea to talk to your vet before giving your dog any medication, the Frontline family of flea and tick control products is available over the counter. You should take precautions before using it, however, to help ensure the safety of your pet.
Frontline
You can purchase Frontline directly from your vet, in which case he will provide you with the specific type of the medication best suited to your dog. If you want to buy it yourself, you can do so from many local pet stores and chains as well as the Internet. Frontline is effective against adult fleas and ticks, while Frontline Plus contains a growth inhibitor that will eliminate eggs and larvae as well.
Caution
Never use a pesticide product made for one species on another animal. Frontline for cats, for instance, uses a different formulation than the product made for dogs, and using the wrong one may make your pet ill. You also should weigh your dog before purchasing Frontline, and select the dosage to match his current weight in order to avoid a potential overdose.
References
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Milton Kazmeyer has worked in the insurance, financial and manufacturing fields and also served as a federal contractor. He began his writing career in 2007 and now works full-time as a writer and transcriptionist. His primary fields of expertise include computers, astronomy, alternative energy sources and the environment.