Understanding Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications for Dogs: Weigh the benefits and disadvantages to best fit your family’s needs.
As pet owners, keeping our dogs healthy and comfortable is a top priority. One crucial aspect of canine health care is protecting them from parasites like fleas, ticks and heartworms. This is one of the most common questions I get regarding dog ownership. The number of different products available can make a new or even experienced pet owner feel overwhelmed. In this blog, we will explore various medications available, to help you decide which products are best for your family. Disclosure: I’m not a veterinarian, I’m just discussing information about each medication as provided by the manufacturer, AVMA and FDA as of November 2024, as well as, personal experiences with medications I’ve used.
Flea and Tick Medications
Fleas and ticks are not just pesky; they can lead to serious health problems for your dog, including allergies, skin infections and transmission of diseases. In very sever cases, anemia. Fortunately, there are various medications available for treatment and/or prevention:
Topical Treatments - Flea/Tick: These are liquid medications that are applied to the skin of your dog.
- Benefits: Most are over the counter and don’t need a veterinary prescription. Some will also repel mosquitos, which is another barrier for heartworm disease prevention. If your dog starts to have a reaction from the medication you can use Dawn dish soap to wash it off.
- Disadvantages: It’s a liquid so it can be messy. You need to use caution to not get it on hands or furniture. (I had a dog shake while applying and it got on my leather chair. It discolored in the droplet spots) Your unable to get your dog wet for usually 24-48 hours after application. Some shampoos will strip the medication, so make sure to read instructions for both the flea/tick medication and shampoos you use very carefully.
- Monitor for Reactions: Watch your dog after the first application for any adverse reactions, such as excessive scratching, excessive shaking or signs of redness or irritation.
Vectra 3D:
- Age: 7 weeks and up
- Active Ingredients: Dinotefuran, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen.
- Protection Duration: Monthly application.
- Benefits: Kills and repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, stable flies and sand flies. Offers a fast-acting solution that kills on contact before a bite. Contains and insect growth regulator which kills fleas and ticks in all life stages.
Revolution Plus:
**Also a heartworm prevention** Only prevents against the American Dog Tick, not the deer tick that transfers Lyme disease
- Age: 6 weeks and up
- Active Ingredients: Selamectin.
- Protection Duration: Monthly application.
- Benefits: Safe for pregnant and lactating females. No minimum weight. Can be given to heartworm positive and Avermectin (MDR1) sensitive dogs. Kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. Heartworm prevention. Treatment and control of ear mites and sarcoptic mange. Kills only the American Dog tick.
Frontline Plus:
- Age: 9 weeks and up
- Active Ingredients: Fipronil and (S)-methoprene.
- Protection Duration: Monthly application.
- Benefits: Kills fleas, ticks and chewing lice on contact. Also kills flea eggs and larvae.
Seresto Collar:
- Age: 7 weeks and up
- Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid and flumethrin.
- Protection Duration: Up to 8 months.
- Benefits: The collar releases active ingredients over time, offering a long-term solution. It is also waterproof.
Advantage Multi:
**Also includes heartworm prevention** **Does NOT offer tick prevention**
- Age: 7 weeks and up
- Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid and moxidectin.
- Protection Duration: Monthly application.
- Benefits: Kills fleas through contact so they don’t have to bite. Controls hookworm, roundworm and whipworms at multiple stages. Treats sarcoptic mange.
Advantix II:
- Age: 7 weeks and up
- Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen.
- Protection Duration: Monthly application.
- Benefits: Effectively kills and repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies. It kills fleas and ticks on contact and repels them within 12 hours. Kills 4 types of ticks. Contains and insect growth regulator which kills fleas and ticks in all life stages.
Oral Medications - Flea/Tick: These are medications that come in a chew or tablet.
- Benefits: Easy to give tablet or chew that most dogs will eat with no problem. A lot of the products also have intestinal deworming benefits.
- Disadvantages: Must be given with food for most of the oral options. All oral medications are prescription medications. Usually, a little more expensive. If vomiting occurs within a half hour of the dose, the dose will not work for that month. Contact your vet. Several of the oral medications should not be given to dogs with a history of seizures.
- Monitor for Reactions: Watch your dog after the first dose for any adverse reactions, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, ataxia or seizures.
** Potential Side Effect ** In no way am I saying these are not good medications. I’ve used these medications with multiple dogs with no side effects. Please just be aware!
Oral flea and tick medications, particularly those containing isoxazoline class ingredients like afoxolaner (NexGard), fluralaner (Bravecto), sarolaner (Simparica), and lotilaner (Credelio), have been associated with potential seizure risks in dogs. These medications are effective in controlling fleas and ticks, but they may not be suitable for dogs with a history of seizures, certain breeds or certain neurological conditions.
Understanding the Risks:
- Mechanism: Isoxazolines work by targeting the nervous system of fleas and ticks, leading to paralysis and death of the pests. However, they can also interact with the central nervous system of sensitive dogs, potentially triggering seizures.
- Incidence: Seizures are listed as a rare side effect but have been reported. Dogs with a history of seizures or neurological conditions are at greater risk. Certain breeds have a higher rate of drug sensitivity, like Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, and Shelties. If they have the MDR1 mutation it causes greater sensitivity to some medications.
Recommendations:
- Discuss with Your Veterinarian: Always inform your vet if your dog has a history of seizures or is prone to neurological issues.
- Monitor Your Dog: If you choose to use oral preventives, monitor your dog closely for any signs of neurological symptoms like tremors, unsteady gait, or unusual behavior.
- Report Side Effects: Notify your vet and the manufacturer if your dog experiences seizures or other adverse effects.
NexGard Plus:
**Also includes heartworm prevention**
- Age: 8 weeks and up
- Active Ingredient: Afoxolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel.
- Protection Duration: Monthly chewable.
- Benefits: Controls roundworm and hookworm. Heartworm prevention also included! One chew does fleas/ticks and heartworm.
Simparica Trio:
**Also includes heartworm prevention**
- Age: 8 weeks and up
- Active Ingredient: Sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel pamoate.
- Protection Duration: Monthly chewable
- Benefits: Controls roundworms and hookworms. Kills 5 types of ticks. Heartworm prevention also included! One chew does fleas/ticks and heartworm.
Credelio:
- Age: 6 weeks and up
- Active Ingredient: Lotilaner.
- Protection Duration: Monthly chewable.
- Benefits: Kills fleas and ticks within 4 hours of administering.
Bravecto 1 month: for puppies
- Age: 8 weeks and up
Bravecto 12 week: Needs to be older to start dose.
- Age: 6 months and up
- Active Ingredient: Fluralaner.
- Protection Duration: Lasts up to 12 weeks (Options of a chew or topical).
- Benefits: Provides extended protection of 12 weeks with longer dose. Safe for lactating and pregnant females.
Other - Flea/Tick: Fleas can’t live and reproduce anywhere other than your pets! Yes, they may jump off onto you, you might get a flea bite, you might see them on furniture, but they won’t survive a length of time without a pet host. Shampoos and sprays used to be the go-to! We did more control rather than what we do now, prevention. Most of these products are unnecessary because the oral and topical medication are so good these days, they start killing the pests right away.
Flea and Tick Shampoo/sprays: There are so many options! Again, I don’t really recommend this course of action because you can just use a flea and tick product that will take care of the issue a lot better than shampoos. Many of the flea topicals and orals start working within just a couple hours. Shampoos only last for a very short period of time and only kill live/hatched pests. Flea eggs are constantly hatching so 24 hours after the bath you’re going to be right back where you started. Use caution with sprays to make sure its for your pet and not the environment. Read directions carefully!
Knockout Room & Area Fogger: Made by the veterinary brand Virbac. This is the product we kept in clinic for anyone really worried about carpets and furniture or someone with an excessive problem. People seemed to be happy with it. They make a fogger and a spray. All people and animals need to be removed from the space/home for a time period during and after use. That means even the pet hamster or snake! Read directions carefully before use.
Heartworm Medications
Heartworm infection is a serious and potentially fatal condition in dogs caused by parasitic worms, Dirofilaria immitis, transmitted through mosquito bites. In the southern United States, there is a very high transmission rate due to the hot and humid climate. Transfer happens when a mosquito takes a meal from an infected animal and then moves to the next host and feeds again. The medication works by killing the larval stages of the parasite before they mature into adult worms. Prevention and yearly heartworm screening is key:
Oral Medications - Heartworm
Heartgard Plus:
- Age: 6 weeks and up
- Active Ingredient: Ivermectin and pyrantel
- Protection Duration: Monthly chewable.
- Benefits: Treats and controls hookworms and roundworms.
Sentinel Spectrum:
**Also flea preventative**
- Age: 6 weeks and up
- Active Ingredient: Milbemycin Oxime, Lufenuron and Praziquantel.
- Protection Duration: Monthly chewable.
- Benefits: Protects against fleas, heartworm, tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm and whipworm.
Trifexis:
**Also flea preventative**
- Age: 8 weeks and up
- Active Ingredients: Spinosad and milbemycin oxime.
- Protection Duration: Monthly chewable tablet.
- Benefits: Combines flea protection with heartworm prevention. Treats hookworm, roundworm and whipworm.
Interceptor Plus:
I’ve personally used this one for years.
- Age: 6 weeks and up
- Active Ingredient: Milbemycin Oxime and Praziquantel
- Protection Duration: Monthly chewable.
- Benefits: Treats hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm and whipworm.
- There is also just Interceptor that contains just Milbemycin Oxime (not “Interceptor Plus”) that is safe for pregnant and lactating females.
Injectable Medications - Heartworm
Proheart 6 or 12:
- Age: 6 months and up (Proheart 6) or 12 months and up (Proheart 12)
- Active Ingredient: Moxidectin
- Protection Duration: 6 months (Proheart 6) or 12 months (Proheart 12)
- Benefits: This option is convenient as its only given once or twice a year. Does require a visit to the vet for the injection. Does not control any internal parasites.
Combination Preventatives:
Some products combine flea and tick protection with heartworm prevention. These options weren't available up until a couple years ago when manufacturers discovered how to combine the coverage. Most of these brands have both normal (only flea/tick) and Plus/Multi/Trio (full coverage). Review packaging before purchase to make sure your selecting the correct product. See above for information on these products:
-
- Simparica Trio (all 3)
- NexGard Plus (all 3)
- Sentinel Spectrum (fleas and heartworm)
- Revolution Plus (fleas, heartworm and 1 type of tick)
- Advantage Multi (all 3)
- Trifexis (heartworm, fleas and internal parasites)
*** Never give a flea/tick or heartworm medication to dog that should be used for a cat or vs versa. This can very easily kill your pet. Contact an emergency vet or Pet Poison Helpline (there is a fee) 855-764-7661 ASAP if this happens. Always double check the dose weight and species before giving a medication ***
Importance of Regular Check-Ups
While these medications are essential, regular veterinary check-ups are equally important. Your vet can recommend the best products based on your dog’s specific needs, lifestyle, and health status. Additionally, they can conduct tests for heartworm and check for any adverse reactions to medications.
Protecting your dog from fleas, ticks, and heartworms is vital for their overall health and well-being. With the variety of medications available, you can choose the best option that meets your dog’s needs. Always consult your veterinarian before starting any treatment to ensure it’s safe and effective for your furry friend. With the right precautions, you can provide your dog with a happy, healthy life free from harmful pests.
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