EasySpot for Cats vs. Frontline Gold Comparison

EasySpot for Cats

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Frontline Gold

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Kills Fleas

Repels Fleas

Kills Flea eggs and Larvae

Prevents Development

Kills Ticks

Repels Ticks

Kills and/or Repels Mosquitoes

Prevents Heartworm

Other Parasites Information

Chewing lice for up to 30 days.

Eliminates infestations with chewing lice

Waterproof (shampooing once a week can reduce effectiveness)

Safe for pregnant or nursing Pets

How long does it take to work

Starts working in 1 hour

Starts killing fleas in 30 minutes

Taste

Applied to skin

Active Ingredient(s)

Fipronil

Fipronil, S-methoprene, Pyriproxyfen

RX Required

Dosage

Usage

Video

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Vet Review

This reliable and more economical alternative to Frontline comes from a very reliable company, Elanco. Its main ingredient, fipronil, probably has the most clinical record of experience of efficacy over many years, in killing both adult fleas before they lay eggs, as well as various species of ticks. Its safety is touted by supposedly targeting only the nervous system of the pests. With cats, we always must be careful when evaluating the newer generation of emerging pesticides for fleas and ticks that are coming out, as kitties' detoxification pathways are typically more sensitive than dogs'. Most kitties tolerate this single spot application quite well. In addition to being waterproof, so important for outdoor kitties, this product is easier to apply than most competitors, as well as leaving no pungent or chemical smell like many over the counter competitor products. Most of my clients have found it as effective as Frontline, but not as quick as Advantage. Some clients have complained that it does not seem to repel the ticks, who can occasionally be found attached to the skin before they die. Not only it is important in using products like Easy Spot to prevent flea bite anemia in cats, and unsightly tapeworms, but in recent years, fleas have been shown to carry an increasing number of serious diseases and infections, including Bartonella species, amongst others. Another benefit of this product is that it is labeled as safe to use in pregnant or nursing cats. Side effects, although rare, may include topical irritation at the site of application, lethargy, as well as rare twitching reactions, agitation, and/or restlessness. These are typically short-lived, and fortunately, are very uncommon across pet populations that the product has been used. Some veterinarians and experts have wondered about the recent resistance of fleas to some of the fipronil-based products, but that has not been my experience. I give this product an overall rating of a 4, with an ease of application and efficacy of 4, as well.

As most exterminators will tell you, the battle with external parasites and pests is an always evolving battle, as over time, parasites will develop partial resistance to products that had once worked almost perfectly in the past. This has been my experience with some of the older flea/tick formulations and has been reported by my veterinary colleagues and clients alike on occasion. While the older products are mostly still effective, companies are always researching new formulations to stay one step ahead of the development of resistance in the parasites. One of the latest formulations, Frontline Gold takes advantage of newer technologies and now has added an additional insect growth regulator, Pyriproxyfen, to its original formulation, to help enhance the efficacy of the Frontline plus product. The Frontline product is thus able to kill the next generation of flea larvae and eggs even more effectively by breaking the life cycle of the flea. The likelihood of flea immune resistance to this new triple action formula is thus significantly reduced. Given the increasing global warming seen in recent years, the expanding and increasing flea populations in heavily infested areas, however, do require a truly holistic approach by the animal guardian in treating the home, environment and yard for optimal flea control, as it is important to keep in mind that much of the flea life cycle still occurs in the home. While many clients find the more easily applied, self-puncturing tube dispensing method(often only requiring the use of one hand) to the old product, other clients find it difficult to see if all of the product has been dispensed from the colored tube. This new product, however, is quite effective, with only rare topical irritation at the site of the application an only rare complication. With that being said, I give this product an overall rating of a 5, with an ease of application of 4.

Our expert panel consists of licensed veterinarians and the knowledgeable staff of PetMed Express, Inc. d/b/a 1-800-PetMeds. Neither the Company nor any of its employees or consultants make any warranties, expressed or implied, or representations about the accuracy or completeness of the content or the content of any site or external sites. Likewise, no legal liability or responsibility is assumed for the accuracy or completeness of any information, or usefulness of products discussed. While every effort has been made to accurately represent the qualities and characteristics of each product, which for the most part were taken directly from the websites of the manufacturers, we are not responsible for any errors. The information presented is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.