Opinions on carpet flea spray wanted

[Marty]

Apple cider vinegar... sorry, I have my doubts about this one also...

[Tambrey]

It has worked for me for years....we go out and do yardwork and come in wiht a tick or two...and the cats outside have fleas...until I can catch and treat those I can...but the dogs do not get them....doubt if you will...but it has worked...

[Marty]

You would just think that if it was effective, that Vets would suggest it. Oh wait...they make money on flea meds...

[Traci]

Actually, (most) vets care about your pets and choose to recommend products based on science based medicine, efficacy, and effectiveness. In recent years, you can actually thank the manufacturers for selling to retail outlets and online outlets thereby increasing the risks of such products by consumer error, not to mention opening up the opportunity for adulterated products, black market products, etc.

There's no law that states a vet can't sell retail products any differently than another business. Likewise to say a vet is making money on flea prevention products is not entirely correct since now you can get them online or from other sources.

And no, I'm not a pharma shill.

[Marty]

Gosh, I didn't mean they can't make money by selling them. I really have never priced them at places like PetsMart, just online. My Vet will price match whatever I find online, and I was shocked to find he had a 50% mark up. And of course, I doubt he is losing money at that. Now I just have to remember to do the research...which can be time consuming.

Honestly, the stuff is so expensive, it's no wonder many people turn to Hartz, etc. and end up harming their pets.

Ahh, it's all the pharmaceutical companies fault...

[Traci]

I haven't honestly seen too many vet offices carry a lot of products - mainly due to limited space, and now due to online availability, prescription-writing and price-matching.

I do know that a lot of vets are upset with manufacturers selling to online venders, particularly those without an in-house (on-site) vet professional to lend guidance. It's not because they are losing money, it's because the products actually do carry a marginal risk and they end up with the clients who misused the product or bought from a shady source, etc, and of course, their hands are tied, the client doesn't get a guarantee and the pet ultimately suffers.

I cringe at all the petmeds advertisements on tv, portraying vets as evil b***ards, that you don't need to pay your vet for a product you can get so much cheaper from them (except when broken down, the cost is comparable), and practically conveying your pet doesn't have to get an exam, just buy their products, all is good. Petmeds has a sordid history of selling prescription products to consumers without their vet's actual permission/prescription - or, refilling prescriptions without confirming with the vet (and as you know, some pet owners will do whatever they can to get away from seeing their vet etc).

[Tambrey]

When I do need to get Frontline or any other sort of treatment --- earmites skin care, catlax, my KMR powder that I ALWAYS have on hand...etc....I always get them from the vet....I have never bought any of those kinds of products online or in the store...I do like to support my own local businesses as much as possible...but...IF I can use a cheaper and just as effective product, such as vinegar in their water...I will...it is less chemicals I am introducing them to...

I do not like that I see Frontline at Sam's Club...or even at PetSmart or Petco...I am not sure if it is the same, just as much of a dose, or if the retail versions are different than what my vet has...so I would rather get it at the vet based on each pet's weight

[Traci]

...so I would rather get it at the vet based on each pet's weight

That's another issue too....many pet owners don't even bother weighing their pet, they just take a quick look and estimate, often being very wrong. Likewise, many of those pets haven't had an exam in years so any application of a flea product could be somewhat detrimental (especially if an unwanted effect occured - kind of like vaccines, one does not give vaccinations to an ill pet).