Trifexis is a combination of products that we have already been using. One ingredient, spinosad (Comfortis) is an oral flavored tablet which kills fleas in less than four hours. This has has been combined with milbemycin which is a component of Sentinel. The resulting combination is an oral product similar to Sentinel (prevention of heartworm, hookworm, round worm, whipworm) but instead of sterilizing fleas it kills them. Trifexis is similar to Advantage Multi but kills fleas faster. Neither Trifexis nor Advantage Multi is superior to the other. The method of administration (oral vs. topical) is different while cost, spectrum of activity and safety are similar. With both products, if ticks are a problem, the use of Vectra 3D is recommended. Neither product will prevent or remove tapeworms but flea control lessens the chance of tapeworm exposure. In most situations either product will be satisfactory for you and your pet.

ADVANTAGE MULTI is not ADVANTAGE. The manufacturer of Advantage has taken moxidectin, a product new to small animal use in this county (it has been used in Europe for over 6 years) and added it to Advantage, the flea control product. In combination this product will control or prevent Heartworm, Hookworm, Roundworm, Whipworm and Fleas. If your dog has tick problems, or may be exposed to ticks, you should also treat with VECTRA 3D. It is best to use VECTRA 3D two weeks after application of Advantage Multi to optimize flea control.

In cats, Advantage multi kills fleas and prevents heartworm, hookworm, roundworm and ear mites. This makes it my preferred product for parasite control in cats. The only common parasite it does not control is tapeworm. Removing fleas helps prevent tapeworm. Should tapeworms be seen, topical treatment with Profender dewormer is indicated.

VECTRA 3D is a topical product that kills and repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. If Advantage Multi and Vectra 3D are used alternately every two weeks (Advantage Multi on the 1st of the month and Vectra 3D on the 15th), superior levels of flea control are achieved. Clients are reporting that tick control with Vectra 3D is excellent. As with all topical medication, bathing is best done 2 to 3 days before or after application.

Scalibor This collar is water resistant and provides 6 months of protection. If ticks are an issue this is an affordable alternative to some of the higher priced topical products without having to resort to the monthly application process. For dogs only.

SCALIBOR 6-Month Dog Collar
 

REVOLUTION is the cat’s meow for control of parasites in cats. It will prevent and control Heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, fleas and ear mites. Unfortunately it does not do all of that in dogs or it would be a fantastic product. For some clients it is an option. Appreciate that some cats (my own) do not like this product. Also appreciate that some cats don’t like anything. Rarely, I have seen hair loss at the site of application. This may happen inconsistently in some animals.

REVOLUTION FELINE BLUE 5-15 LB
REVOLUTION K9 GREEN 40-85 LB

 

PROFENDER is a new product for deworming cats. Unlike oral products, only a single treatment is required, not two. Since it is applied topically to the back of the neck, there is no issue with trying to pill or place medication in the food. Profender removes hookworm, roundworm and tapeworm. Not evaluated for use in pregnancy or during lactation.

Profender - 2.2-5.5 lbs
Profender - 5.5-11 lbs
Profender - 11-17.6 lbs