The problem with ticks is that you have to repel them completely before they bite. 1 tick bite can cause tons of havoc, whereas fleas cause 99% of their problems by repeated feeding over time.
Does the topical Frontline actually Repel the ticks? 'Cause if all it does is kill them after they ingest the blood, they are doing exactly 0% for the dog. (sorry, I'm not sure exactly how the stuff works other than that it is absorbed into the bloodstream of the dog).
Conversely, if you groom for ticks after an outing, you wouldnt need a tick poison at all. I know 1 will get past you every now and then, but that might be a better way than something your dog reacts to. Its a gamble and the odds are different for each dog. I dont mean to be supercritical of products like Frontline, poisons have their place. But if there is a less toxic alternative that WORKS, I try to spread the word. Anybody got any good tick solutions other than daily handpicking?
(BTW, this is a sensitive subject right now for me. I recently found out that BOTH my Akitas have had Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever at some point in their lives. But their IMMUNE SYSTEMS WERE TOO STRONG ((I DO love saying that)) for the virus and they fought it off).