I live in Texas too , in Leander, and I use Advantix on my dogs... every month. I buy it online from Dr. Fosters and Smiths and sometimes Petedge....when it's ONSALE and then I get ALOT!!!. i recently got a GREAT deal on it and the shipping was FREE!, FREE, FREE!!! ( I was so happy about that. ) We have NEVER had a tick problem. In fact, I have never seen a tick on them...ever. It also repels the bititng flies and mosquitos wonderfully! ( don't have fleas either. ) Grace Eaton InquestGSD@xxxxxxx wrote: In a message dated 8/3/2006 10:10:45 A.M. Central Daylight Time, rdg718@xxxxxxxxx writes: Hello everyone, I would like to ask a few questions to the list. 1st question is what method or tool is recommended for grinding nails? And should you trim the nails before grinding or do you just use a grinder only? 2nd question I have is what is a better method and cheaper cost comapared to using Heartguard +? I took my dog to the Vet the other day to get him some heartguard + and frontline I noticed in a months time the cost has gone up several $$$ per dose..... living here in TX. the ticks are very bad because of the dry, hot weather we are having. My mentor suggested that I use ivanmec(?) for a substitute for a heartguard + what do you all recommend or suggest?? and other's compared to frontline? the list has been a very educational reference to me, thank you very much,john Hi John I love the nail grinder, it is easier on MY skin when I am playing with the dogs. If the nails are too long, I trim first, and grind second. I use Heartguard, because it is easy and I get a good deal with my Vet. I've used Ivomec in the past and will go back to it when I leave my vet....not that he wants me to go any time soon. Frontline is the only thing I can think of for ticks. I prefer Advantage for fleas, it works faster. Fortunately, we are not having either ticks or fleas here this year, so I don't know what their current price is. Shop around. Your vet should have no problem giving you a Rx for buying Heartguard online. Our vet will match any online price for his clients. He knows is a win-win situation. Also, he will offer a discount if you buy a years supply of Heartguard and Frontline (which can be a lot of money). If your vet gives you a problem, ask him if he would be willing to match the price. Sure he has an overhead, and so do you. And you can always take your business elsewhere. Good luck. Ileana Chance favors the prepared mind ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================ Grace Eaton Sirius German Shepherds zgrace_grace@xxxxxxxxx --------------------------------- Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================