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Frontline failed! What topical flea treatments actually work?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 50 lbs

So we have been treating our 2 year old GSD with Frontline plus for months now... it didn't work, now we are infested with fleas and our dog is missrable. We have always applied it on time, to a non washed pup directly to her skin. What topical flea meds actually work? We have wasted so much money on frontline plus... please help, I'm at my wits end and I just want my up happy and able to sleep.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on August 27th, 2017

I'm sorry you are having such problems with fleas! I have personally found, as have a number of my colleagues, that there is resistance to Frontline and pets continue to have problems with them despite applying the Frontline. I will give you the flea treatment program I typically recommend and have found to be very effective. First, I would give Shadow Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas within 30 minutes. Then follow up with a spot on treatment, such as Advantage or Revolution. This is a treatment that has to be used once a month. You will also have to disinfect the environment, this is very important. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. You may have to flea bomb the house a few times to kill all the fleas. My brother had a problem with fleas in his home, and the exterminator had to visit three times before they were all gone. I hope this helps!

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