Parasite Control Combos

[Fudo2]

Hi. I'm looking at changing up my flea / tick / wormer controls for Fudo for a couple of reasons; he's been on the same combo for years so a change might be a good thing, to eliminate the need for a tick collar and maybe there will be a price benefit too. Currently I use Advocate (monthly) plus a preventic collar (6 weeks - paranoid) and a tapeworm specific tab (3 monthly).

I'm thinking of trying NexGard (monthly) in conjunction with an all wormer tablet every three months. Since neither of these products cover heart worm specifically, am I correct in that if I have fleas covered adequately (I never miss a dose of current meds), then that means I will have heart worm covered as well? I'm thinking of using canine all wormer tabs. Any thoughts or advice is always welcome.

Thanks!

[sheena]

Heart worm is spread by mosquitoes, not fleas. I use Nexgard monthly for fleas & ticks & Interceptor every 6 weeks for worms & heartworm.

[Willem]

...be aware that if you intend to start with drugs for heartworm prevention it is recommended to test the dog's blood first - your dog might have already heartworms and in this case an anti-heartworm drug can have nasty side effects or even kill your dog.

ETA: ...to answer your question: no, 'canine all wormer' tabs doesn't protect against heartworms - you need a drug that is explicit for heartworm (e.g. Interceptor, Sentinel, Heartworm Plus, Revolution etc....)...we use Advantix (flees, ticks) in combination with Interceptor.

Edited January 24, 2016 by Willem

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I've been using sentinel chews, after using revolution + canex (yuck).

But you'd need something else for ticks.

[Fudo2]

You don't need a heartworm preventative if advocate is used; I'd forgotten about mosquitos. Might just stick with what I know...Thanks

[Willem]

You don't need a heartworm preventative if advocate is used; I'd forgotten about mosquitos. Might just stick with what I know...Thanks

ah, yes ...I forgot Advocate in my list :) ....if it worked so long (collar against ticks plus Advocate) for you and your dog without side effects: why changing it?...there might be an option for a combo in the future: Nexgard Spectra - that's a modified Nexgard that works against heartworms and ticks; they sell it already in NZ and Europe, but not here in AU.

[Scottsmum]

Just going to bump this rather than make a new thread.

Wondering where the best place is to do some (low level) reading on active ingredients in wormers.

I've always just used what ever was sold over the counter at the vet - and if I got it from the supermarket for some reason I just made sure it had Praziquantel in it.

But I'm becoming more inquisitive. So ... where's the best place to read up on the following drugs - either in combination(*1) or on their own?

You know - pros and cons of each etc?

Praziquantel & Oxibendazole (S)-methoprene - Endogard

Milbemycin Oxime & Proziquantel - Milbemax

Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate & Febantel - Drontal

Afoxolaner, Milbemycin Oxime - Nexgard Spectra(*2)

*1 - by combination I mean Praziquantel & something else - NOT Engogard + Drontal.

*2 - I don't usually chemically treat the dog for fleas unless we have visible signs - so I probably wouldn't use nexgard spectra.

[sandgrubber]

Just going to bump this rather than make a new thread.

Wondering where the best place is to do some (low level) reading on active ingredients in wormers.

I've always just used what ever was sold over the counter at the vet - and if I got it from the supermarket for some reason I just made sure it had Praziquantel in it.

But I'm becoming more inquisitive. So ... where's the best place to read up on the following drugs - either in combination(*1) or on their own?

You know - pros and cons of each etc?

Praziquantel & Oxibendazole (S)-methoprene - Endogard

Milbemycin Oxime & Proziquantel - Milbemax

Praziquantel, Pyrantel Embonate & Febantel - Drontal

Afoxolaner, Milbemycin Oxime - Nexgard Spectra(*2)

This one isn't bad

http://www.revivalanimal.com/articles/active-ingredients-in-wormers.html

Given that tapeworm is relatively uncommon and highly apparent when present, I can't see the point of praziquantel on a regular basis. It's an expensive drug. Seems by far to be the preferred treatment for tapeworm, but not good for much else. I just use Pyrantel paomate for worming. I buy the stuff meant for human babies. It's cheap, easy to give, and dogs, including small puppies, are ok with being treated. It also works. I don't give it routinely . . . only when I see worms. The only routine worming I do is Ivermectin (1% stuff sold for livestock), monthly, for heartworm. I measure Ivermectin in a 1 ml syringe and give it by shooting up the yolk when the dogs get an egg. Some dogs, mostly collie lineages, have a mutation that makes them unable to tolerate Ivermectin, so this solution is not for everyone, but when it works it's an excellent solution. There is a genetic test available to make sure your dog doesn't carry the mutation that makes Ivermectin unsafe.

Sorry for awkward writing. I don't have time to rewrite.

[Scottsmum]

Thanks for the info :)

Not awkward at all :)