Heartworm prevention for dogs?

[lukenick1]

My shih poo has been taking Interceptor for heart worm prevention but now its not available. Haven't heard great things about heart guard plus. A lot of dogs cannot tolerate it. I refuse to spend the money on Trifexis. What did your Vet recommend as a replacement to Interceptor?

 

[Order66]

You don't really have a choice right now. Novartis has been saying "it's coming back soon" for over a year now. Our last report (I work at a veterinary clinic) is that they are shipping within the month (but who knows???). Sentinel is being shipped out first, and to "win back" customers who have defected to Trifexis for the added flea treatment, it is going to sell for the same price as Interceptor. JMHO- Trifexis is the superior product. It kills fleas, not just stop their reproduction.

Heartgard has been around a long time. It's a good product. Heartgard has always guaranteed the effectivness in their product and will pay for the treatment IF your dog ever tests positive. It also has a new guarantee for whipworms. Their product is not labled for it, but if your buy it from your veterinarian and your dog tests positive, they will pay for the deworming. This is again to compete with Trifexis. Collies have been reported to have sensitivity to ivermectin, but that's it that I am aware of. In 20 years I've seen one case of ivermectin reaction and that was a dog being treated for demodex, not the super low doses in Heartgard.

Your only other choices if you want to avoid ivermectin is to treat with one of the 2 topical medications. Revolution or Advantage Multi. These are also combined flea/hearworm products and are more expensive as well.

I personally always used Interceptor myself, but have switched to Trifexis and am very happy with it. My dogs picked up fleas despite using Frontline.

regards

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you give your dog Trifexis, make sure you give it with food. My poor dog threw up her first one when I didn't wrap it in food. We didn't have that problem with Sentinel.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I will find out Saturday when my dog goes to the vet for her check up. We have been using Interceptor as well. I am assuming we will use Heartguard.

 

[Evi]

I'm in the same boat. Very disappointed as we used interceptor for years with multiple dogs.

 

[teacup princess]

Walmart sells a heart worm product line. You need a prescription from you're vet. It's comparable to Heartguard. I think it's around $6.