Re: Vet Update-Capstar-Boarding requirements GH

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

At 10:56 AM 5/6/01 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi All,
>  Just an update on Rip's vet appt. She weighed in at a whopping 23.4 lbs
>(perfect) . Her ears are good just a little crud in the suspect ear. So I
>keep up the cleaning for a few more days.  Okay, worm/ parasite thing. Am
>trying Sentinel for Ripley. It is a once a month for ALL intestinal p-sites
>and Heartworm.  It also keeps flea eggs from hatching.
>So we will see how this works. In about 2 weeks I am taking Ripley and Kryten
>to Gramma Gina as we are outta hear to the U.K..  I took the liberty of
>getting some Capstar for Rip just incase of an adult flea infestation.
>Anyway, this Sentinal stuff comes highly recommended, especially for suburbia
>where we live.  Since Gina lives in a more open area, more land and a larger
>concentration of doggies, I thought the Capstar would be good to give to Gina
>incase there is a problem. (Is that okay, Gina).  That is about it, I am
>keeping Kryten on the Frontline  since I still have 2 doses left and also got
>some more Interceptor, so all seems to be covered....Bye y'all.

Hi All,

I still do not have much information on Capstar but did get a call from 
Brad who had a conversation with his vet about the product.   His vet 
looked into the product and has found that the chemical is a nicotine 
derivative.  Her concern was addiction with prolonged regular use, which 
could cause behavioral changes.(?)  So just a note on that.  As we have 
herd from Joyce and others the intend use for Capstar is to kill an 
infestation or prevent one by giving this product as you leave an area that 
may be suspect of infestation.  It's sort of like the old flea dip 
concept:  Dog has flea's or is suspect, kill flea's via dipping, which only 
kills the flea's on the dog, does not take care of the environment.  I see 
a real advantage to Capstar if it is safe, again I am very prudent with new 
products so don't discount the product based on this, but rather ask 
questions and PLEASE report back.

Sentinel is yes a good product, it is Interceptor brand: heart worm & all 
inclusive general parasite control [minus tape worm] control, with Program 
brand added in which is a flea growth inhibitor, ie: Program renders flea's 
sterile, flea's can still bit the dog but they can not reproduce.  I either 
send litters home on Sentinel or Interceptor depending on what is available 
to me via my source. I am usually not really concerned about flea's with 
litter puppies, as very rarely have I ever seen a flea on our puppies. But 
as you all know fleas and pets go hand in hand.

With spring here so are the flea's.  We may not see them and or unless you 
have an infestation will you even notice flea's on your pets. Fleas do not 
live on your pets, they jump on have a blood meal and jump off, nest and 
reproduce in the environment.  For this reason, It is a requirement that 
any dog coming here to stay be treated with either Frontline or 
Advantage.  While the other flea products are good as Janet points out I 
have way to many dogs <smile> and a large property.  I can not risk 
flea's.  I take the same precautions that I ask you to, and ask that you 
respect my wishes here and my experience. This is and issue I refuse to be 
flexible on over all in general.  Speak to me privately if you have issues 
wit this policy.

When we first moved here within 24 hours, all of our dogs were covered with 
flea's in the dead of winter, November 23 1994 in the middle of an ice 
storm no less. This was pre Frontline and pre Gina had a groom shop, what 
we went through cleaning up the property  the dogs and mom's cats who were 
the culprit as the environment was INFESTED  is not something I am willing 
to deal with again.  We had to use toxic & expensive sprays on the whole 
property, we had to use insecticides in the house and on the dogs and 
cats.  Was no fun and was not healthy for anyone...  Don't want to go there 
ever again in any way shape or fashion...  <smile>

By all means do use Program/Sentinel as these products do work well in the 
setting that most of you live in and from what I gather on Capstar it's a 
great product to give in conjunction with the product Program to avoid 
brining anything home.  But I simply am not willing to except less than 
current up to date application of Advantage or Frontline on visiting dogs. 
Most vet's will sell a single dose of these products so please if you are 
not using Frontline or Advantage consult your vet, relay my policy onto 
them and plan ahead.  In addition, my vet will sell single doses to you 
without an office call and is located with in one mile of my home, open 
Monday through Saturday.  A note on that is my vet has a very nice brand 
new boarding facility and they too hold the same requirements I do.  Most 
kennels do.

There is really only one product that is a external/internal control combo 
that is applied topically  I do not recommend and that is 
Revolution.  Revolution is marketed for dogs and cats and while it's great 
for cats it's not for dogs in my opinion.  It does not control whip 
worms.  Whips are a parasite that is hard to diagnose but they are 
prevalent in the PNW and other areas. Right IIene?  A funny is that IIene 
and I met on a list group over parasites. :-)))

Gina