First Shield Trio for Dogs Review
First Shield Trio is a monthly flea, tick, and mosquito control product for dogs. It is a private label treatment made by Summit VetPharm and carried exclusively in Banfield Pet Hospitals (sold as Vectra 3D outside of Banfield Pet Hospitals).
First Shield Trio is a treatment that is applied to a dog topically between the shoulder blades once each month. Using dinotefuran, permethrin and pyriproxyfen as its active ingredients, First Shield Trio claims to kill ticks, flea pupae, larvae and adult fleas, thus preventing all stages of the flea life cycle. Approximately 96% of fleas will be killed within the first 6 hours after application, and the treatment will remain effective after bathing and swimming. First Shield Trio also repels and kills ticks that can cause Lyme disease, erlichiosis and anaplasmosis.
Customer reviews of this product are mixed. Reported side effects include itching, muscle spasms, lethargy, loss of appetite, drooling, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, lack of bodily coordination, elevated temperature, and even in a few rare cases, death. Reviewers who have noted these side effects also reported needing to take their pet to see a veterinarian after they continued to persist or worsened. A few pet owners reported their veterinarians classifying these symptoms as an allergic reactions, while others were identified as poisonings.
Several reviewers note their pets as having experienced a permethrin poisoning as a result of applying First Shield Trio. A number of pet owners have also complained that while their pet did not experience any side effects, the product was not effective and did not prevent flea infestations. It is also important to note that the ingredient permethrin is toxic to cats, and First Shield Trio should not be applied to or come in contact with cats. The First Shield product line offers a separate treatment specifically designed for flea treatment in cats.
Reviewers did note that the product’s applicator is easy to open and handle. Each package includes calendar stickers for owners to be used as a reminder for tracking when their pet’s next dosage is due to be applied. A minority of reviews were found to be in favor of this product, and these pet owners felt that the product worked well, was sold at a reasonable price, and did not cause any detrimental side effects.
Overall, while First Shield Trio did receive some good reviews, it appears that this product is hazardous and its health risks outweigh any positive feedback. It is recommended that pet owners steer clear of First Shield Trio and use an alternate brand for their pet’s flea and tick control treatments.
Banfield chose to recommend the FirstShield™ line of products as our preferred preventive because of qualities such as a faster ability to kill fleas without needing them to bite the Pet. It also protects against a broader spectrum of parasites. There are several different types of flea preventives available on the market, and each one works in a slightly different manner. We feel that the decision on which flea or tick prevention is used should be a collaboration between you and your veterinarian, in order to help select the most appropriate product. As with many products applied to a Pet’s skin, there is the potential for your dog to experience irritation during or after the application, although this and other reactions are not very common. If you feel that your Pet is experiencing irritation or a reaction to the product, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. Please gives us a call if you have any questions or if we can help.
The product is not effective. Three days after application the dog had more fleas.
WARNING DO NOT USE!!
I purchased first shield for my dogs at banfield after they no longer carried the others. It has been the worst experience for me and almost killed 1 of the 3 dogs as permethrin is toxic. When i first applied they were crying and rolling around on the ground like mad.. like it was burning them.. which now when i look back and it was. They never have had any reaction to others flea/tick like this one. Not to mention the worst part of it is that they all caught Cheyletiellosis while being on this horrible stuff. They have been suffering for months because of lying people just trying to make a buck. WARNING DO NOT USE!!
Just got my daughter her 1st puppy and was told by bandfield that first sheild is the best and most effective. it has been 3 days from the first application and i noticed that he is still itching and has now started twitching? im very concerned and will be contactin g them tomorrow after reading all the reviews (98% of them being bad)
This product is the main reason I discontinued my Banfield Optimum Wellness plan. Everybody in the veterinary industry knows that Frontline & Advantage has the best track record of being effective and little to no side effect. Everything else (especially those containing pyrethrin and permethrin) are poison.
Any practicing vet who recommends these product is not to be trusted.
We used FirstShield Trio on our dog and it killed the fleas. However, we did notice the itching after the application of the product. It has lasted for about a week but has slacked off over the last few days.
I purchased this product for all four of my dogs and one cat. I had the same experience as the comment above from Gary. My animals had more fleas than ever. I will not purchase this product again, nor would I recommend it to anyone.
i am sorry for your dogs skin, to everyone… my story is how i was talked into buying first shield trio. i was using advantix and did not have a problem with it. banfield started pimping FIRSTSHIELD and they told me it was the same. NO, IT IS NOT!!!
my dog is 100 lbs and i put it on at night. the next day the spots where i put the med was still wet! i saw spots all over my HOME THEATER, TV STAND, etc. THIS CRAP ATE THE PLASTIC, METAL, AND WOOD finish!!!!!!!!!! no wonder it is BURNING SKIN!!!! i am down THOUSANDS of dollars. i guess my dog shook and got it all over my electronics. i called the makers and complained, wrote to the BBB, and i am still waiting for SCHUYLER, LLC to get back to me….. yeah satisfaction guaranteed, what a joke
I purchased this item because Frontline had begun to lose its effectiveness. I didn’t expect it to work very well, but I was surprised. I applied it to all three dogs last week and wasn’t expecting it to work on my Havanese, but it did. She is my most sensitive dog and after one week, she still has had no adverse reaction. I am so happy. I hope this product continues to work. Now my Havanese can sleep more peacefully through the night and so can I. Thanks so much!
bad experience with banfield no not use first trio for your dogs may be very harmful and banfield would not do nothing for me. dog continusially itched and they still had fleas after 2 weeks
I used firstshield trio for the first time on my 7 pound chihuahua after I asked many questions at Banfield and they reassured me it’s agood/safe product.After I applied it she started having muscle tremors in her head.I gave her a bath 6 hours later thinking it would help and it didn’t.Took her to the vet and they gave us muscle relaxors and to bathe her in dawn dish soap.It helped her sleep as ahe continued having remors.Took her back to the vet 4 days later and now we are still taking the pills and trying benadryl.She still has it but not as bad.I called firstshield and they tell me it’s not realted to their product to take her back to the vet to get x-rays and blood work. I know it’s related she has never done this and I’ve always used advantage and never had any problems.I am so mad at myself for trying firstshields and how can they continue to sell a product that is harmful to dogs.PLEASE SAVE YOUR DOG FROM HARM AD DON’T USE FIRSTSHIELD. Has anyone filed a complaint with first shields and what was the outcome?
Pissed is not the word! After giving my yorkie poo firstshield trio I was up for 2 days watching her scratch herself senseless! Had to go to the vet because I was so worried. Shame on Banfield For endorsing such a product! How many animals do you have to poison before you take this product off the market. Anyone reading this please note:DO NOT USE!
I am devistated !!!! Banfield is responsible for my dog’s death! They pushed the firstshield trio and told me what a great product it is and that the side effects were minimal if any.I watched my dog suffer after using this product.One week after using this product…I had to put my dog to sleep from this POISON!!! STAY AWAY FROM BANFIELD AND FIRSTSHIELD TRIO !!!!!!
I used this on both my dogs and they have had serious skin conditions ever since. Their skin is coming off in sheets. This was used in October and has not cleared up since. DO NOT USE. I can see it maybe happening to one dog, but 2?
Have spent several hundreds of dollars trying to fix this, and there seems to be no end in site. I cant believe someone is actually selling something that will poison my pups!
I put FirstShield on my Yorkie since I went to Banfield and they told me Frontline doesnt work. So I switched to FirstShield cause the doctor said it works so much better then Frontline and has no side affects. LIES!!! I went to work and my mom called me about 4 hours after I applied it saying that he keeps rubbing his back on the stairs like crazy and when he walks his back legs just all the sudden give out on him. I am very upset that they would continue to sell this product to people. Hopefully if enough people complain about they will stop selling it.
our 35 lb dog had a bad reaction, severe itching & agitation & he was very uncomfortable. took 4 days to subside. am returning the remaining 5 mo to our vet for refund & would not recommend this product to anyone! wished we’d never switched from Frontline, it was hard to see him so miserable. spent $80 at emergency vet – we had gone out of town the day after using this product. :(
I’ve had many animals in my lifetime, and I’ve always used Frontline. I took my new puppy to banfield, and they insured me that the firstshield trio was the exact same make up as Front line. I bathed my puppy when I got home, and applied the medicine the following day. Within a week, my puppy had a tick. I have only had him out in my grassy backyard, and was a little disturbed on how poorly the product works. I called the hotline for Schuyler, and the vet tech didn’t seem to have anything logical to say to me. I will never use this product again, and I’m a little disappointed that Banfield pushes this product and swears its the same make up as Frontline/Advantage. It’s no where close. You get what you pay for!
I have a black Lab and fortunately I haven’t had any of the experiences I have read about. I was previously using Hartz but stopped using it because my dog would scratch all the time and would run away and hide when it was time to apply it; he also hated the smell. Although he hates the feeling of liquid moving over his body, he hasn’t had any issues with parasites and I take him to my town’s state park quite frequently to walk and run around for hours at a time.
I was given first shield by banfield, but after reading reviews, decided not to use it. but relating to sabrina’s post — i think they believe xrays and bloodwork is the cure for everything. our puppy had her shots two days before throwing up 10 times so we rushed her to the vet and i kept asking if it was a reaction to the shots and not once did the vet say it could have been a reaction. we knew she didn’t eat anything bad and she is never out of our sight. turns out, some dogs can have reactions or side effects up to three days after shots. as i was checking out after our emergency, i asked two different vet techs if they use first shield on their dogs, they said that they did but now they use a different brand. I wonder why their vet techs that try to sell the product aren’t even using first shield? after all of this, i’ve decided i’m switching vets immediately.
I have been using firstshield trio since 2010, my poor little shihtzu who i rescued has really bad allergies and is especially allergic to fleas. I have not had any issues with this product and all three of my dogs use it. They are happy and healthy and my shihtzu hasn’t had a flea in site. As far as poisoning goes there is nothing that we use that doesn’t have possible side effects READ THE LABELS!!!I am a very devoted owner and wouldn’t settle for anything less when it comes to my babies.
I’ve been using this product since i got my border collie puppy at the age of 3 months, he’s had no problems, he’s had 2 ticks but they were dead when i took them out, i think it’s an ok product in my opinion.
Wow…I wish I read the reviews before I put this stuff…First Shield…on my dog. I applied it approximately 48 hours ago and my poor dog is still scratching frantically. My dog is 9 years old. He’s only had fleas 3 times in 9 yrs thankfully. We went to Banfield for a check up 2 weeks ago and I’m sure that’s where he got them. When my dog was young I used to apply Frontline or Advantix during the summer months only. He is very sensitive to any flea applications and acts skidish and slinks nervously around the house after application. So I stopped applying it for many years. He didn’t have fleas so I felt it was doing more harm then good. Well, after applying FirstShield I knew he was going to be sick for a day but this morning he was still scratching and is doing it right now as I type. So now what? You can’t apply anything else for a month. I will never buy this product again. I’m very disappointed!
THANK YOU to all of you for taking the time to write your comments. My husband passed away about 6 months ago and looking through some medicine stuff I found the First Shield Trio for our 65lb Lab. – thank goodness I read the reviews with my 8 year old daughter…because we now realize this is NOT the product to be putting on our animal. Now I know why my husband never used it as he researched everything…only question remaining is why he didn’t throw it away! AGAIN, THANKS to all of you for taking the time to share these stories and save another poor dog from misery and possible death!!! Stacy I am sorry to hear about your dog!!! This is making me re-think where I need to be taking my dogs.
We got First Shield at Banfield and my dog STILL HAS FLEAS!!!! WHenever he returns from being outside, he has fleas! Unbelieveable! I don’t get it. No flea should want to be on him so apparently this stuff just does not work period.
I thankfully have not had any bad experiences with use First Shield except one…it ate away the dye on my leather couch! Aside from that, I have used First Shield for the first time on my 2 cats and 2 dogs and thankfully have not experienced any negative problems. It actually worked quite well. I had tried many other products before with no success. One of my cats had so many fleas that I thought I would have to resort to those expensive vet recommended flea pills that cost an arm and a leg. And I felt horrible because no matter what I tried, nothing worked. And he is so sensitive to just about everything. But I decided to try the First Shield because it had worked so well for my mothers’ dogs with no complications. And it dried up relatively quickly. After only about a day and a half or so you can’t even tell that I applied anything, aside from my pets not scratching themselves like crazy. I’m very happy with the product aside from my expensive couch being damaged. I would recommend that they add the possible topical side effects as well as to keep your pet off of any furniture until the product dries. I do hope that First Shield does right the wrongs done to other pets and their parents from poor advertisement, and our hearts do go out to all those that did suffer from this or any other product.
I went to Banfield to get my regular frontline flea medicine. They told me that they no longer carried it and had something even better. So I spent the money and brought it home and applied it to my 7 lb cat and 22 lb cat. As soon as the applicator snapped open and the cats could smell it, they freaked out. I thought nothing out and applied anyways. The next day, they weren’t eating anything and were constantly itching at their necks. After trying to find out what was wrong, I came across all the reviews on this horrible product. I called my vet right away and told her what was happening. She told me to bathe them in a very mild cat shampoo and keep an eye on them. While I was washing them, I noticed little bald patches where the chemical was applied. I’m just glad I got it off before it became an actual chemical burn. Now I have to see if they will start eating again. Never ever, no matter what, purchase Firstshield! If you’re desperate for flea relief go with Advantage and always consult your Vet! Don’t make the same mistake many of us did.
I used firstshield trio for the first time on my husky after I asked many questions at Banfield and they reassured me it’s agood/safe product.After I applied it she started having muscle tremors in her head. It has been the worst experience for me and almost killed my dog as permethrin is toxic. When i first applied they were crying and rolling around on the ground like mad.. like it was burning them…Don’t use firstshield trio …this is Poison!!!
Horrible! Both of my dogs of different breeds had negative reactions to this medication. They were both jumpy, having muscle spasms, and whining.
DO NOT USE!!!! I used First Shield Trio on my 4 year old goldendoodle and within and hour she was bleeding from the spots where the treatment had been placed. It’s like it “ate” right through her skin. I quickly gave her a bath and took her to our Vet and our vet hadn’t even heard of some of the active ingredients in first shield and was shocked when I showed her the pictures of my dogs back. I am thankful I caught it early and was able to wash it off. Hearing stories of others who have lost a dog from first shield breaks my heart. Please don’t even risk it, there are other options out there. I regret not researching this product before I used it.
I used firstshield on my 2 year old morkie. Its only been 24hrs and the only thing he has been doing is scratching. The scent of the product is annoying. He sleeps beside me and the smell gave me a bad headache. The smell is so strong that it seems like I can taste it in my mouth. I have never had this problem with frontline. If I’m this annoyed from the smell I can only imagine what he going threw from having it directly on him. I will not use this product again.
I am so pissed at myself for not checking on this medication first and reading your blogs. My 9wk old has suffered since I put it on him. Threw up, didnt eat I took him back to banfield who suggested it to me. He now rubs up against everything and whimpers. I plan on taking him to another vet. One who cares!
I have a 5 month old boxer pup. He has been on FirstShield since I put him on Banfield’s Wellness Plan. The first time I applied it on him, he woke me at 3:00am with non-stop vomiting for 45 minutes. Then he started shaking non-stop for another 20 minutes. The second time I apllied it nothing happened. The third time I applied it he went nuts trying to rub it everywhere to take it off. He started salivating, he was restless and couldn’t lay down or stand up. He was like this for a good hour and a half and then it went away. I noticed that this time around he is scratching a lot more also. He doesn’t have fleas but he may have irritated skin. I will no longer expose my puppy to this product. I also have him on the FirstShield Heartworm preventive but I think I will take him off of this as well.
I am so upset. My dog got three shots a month ago and I applied the First Shield Trio after that night at around 1 am my dog broke out into Hives. I took gin to the emergency room and the vet said it must have been an allergic reaction to the shots. I am beginning to believe it was the First Shield after reading these reviews. I just applied the First Trio on my pup and began to think what if this was the cause of the reaction. So I cleaned it off with puppy wash cloths and bathed him 30 minutes later hopefully this will stripped the product away! I am scared to use this I don’t want to hurt my puppy.
Okay, my Jack Russell NEVER had fleas- we just moved to va beach- and he got from a cat that live in the house- Banfield recommended Firstshield Trio- but after reading all the comments- and two out 38 are NEGATIVe- i am hesitant to use it on my dog; especially when he has very sensitive skin. Thanks for all your comments.