Heart Worm and Flea Prevention in Dogs: All You Need to Know
Heartworms, fleas, and other parasites can seriously harm your beloved pets. But it does not have to be that way as there are effective ways to prevent your dogs from being invaded by these parasites. You can use CBD oil for dogs as a treatment for anxiety or depression but for fleas, you will have to contact your vet.
Fleas will not only infest your dog and your home but they may also cause severe allergic reactions and diseases that require extensive treatment for your dog. which can be costly at times. For instance, heartworm disease can be hard to treat and can cause death if not diagnosed in its early stages.
In this article, you’ll see the best ways you can use to prevent heartworms and fleas from invading your dog. You’ll also see how to select the most effective all-in-one heartworm and flea pills for dogs.
Selecting the Best Heartworm and Flea Prevention
Combined heartworm and flea prevention treatment allows pet owners to protect their pets from heartworm and common pests such as fleas, and in some medications, mites, ticks, intestinal parasites using one medication.
The prevention of heartworm is essential. According to the American Heartworm Society, pet owners should have a year-round heartworm prevention plan for their pets without missing a single dose.
As a pet owner, it can seem overwhelming to prevent your dog from heartworm and fleas. But, with recent innovations, you can protect your dog from harmful parasites using a single, once-a-month heartworm and flea application.
Here’s what to consider when choosing all-in-one heartworm and flea protection.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
It is essential to talk to your vet to help determine whether all-in-one heartworm and flea applications are best for your dog. Your vet will help you in choosing the right medication that can guarantee full-time protection.
Your veterinarian will consider your pet’s individual needs, and also the specific parasite risks in your area before advising you on the best medication for your dog.
Consider Your Dog’s Lifestyle
Your pet’s lifestyle and also the type of protection your dog needs the most matters. You should consider where your dog spends most of his time – is it indoors or outdoors?
If you are not concerned about tick, your vet could advise you to use heartworm and flea preventive like Sentinel for dogs or Trifexis. If you have a tick problem, your vet will recommend heartworm protection that kills ticks as well as hookworms, roundworms, and fleas.
Vets may also recommend individual solutions for each threat. However, usually, a broad-spectrum antiparasitic solution that kills fleas, heartworms, ticks, and intestinal parasites is often recommended.
Why Use All-In-One Heartworm and Flea Prevention?
Before scientists developed the combination of heartworm and flea protection, pet owners’ only choice was to administer separate products to their pets in an attempt to prevent fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites.
These products can be confusing, inconvenient, and costly, especially for pet owners with multiple pets.
Pet owners can now depend on all-in-one heartworm and flea protection due to these benefits:
- You’ll use only one medication to protect your pets against several parasites, making it less likely to confuse the dosage. Besides, your pets will appreciate it when you administer them fewer medications.
- You’ll spend less on buying one medication as opposed to several medicines.
- Compared to topical formulations, tablets are less messy. They can’t be shaken or rubbed off easily after administration.
- Topical products can be harmful if ingested and must soak into your dog’s skin for about two hours before allowing other pets and children around your pup.
Limitations and Side Effects of All-in-One Heartworm and Flea Pills
Understanding the side effects and limitations of all-in-one heartworm and flea protection for pets can help you have an informed engagement with your veterinarian. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Dogs with Genetic Mutation MDR1
All-in-one products are known to contain milbemycin oxime, a compound that causes side effects to dogs possessing the MDR1 gene mutation.
These include some herding breeds like the Australian shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, Collie and Shetland Sheepdog, and long-Haired Whippet.
Your doctor may perform a DNA test to determine whether your dog possess this mutation.
Does Not Offer Tick Protection
It is important to understand that some all-in-one oral products like Sentinel do not protect your dogs against ticks. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian if you need advice on choosing a product that will offer protection against ticks.
Pregnant or Lactating Dogs
Pet owners should be cautious when using some all-in-one products such as Trifexis in pregnant or lactating dogs.
While lab studies have not shown Sentinel and Sentinel Spectrum to cause any side effects, it is crucial to understand that these products are not warranted for use in lactating and pregnant dogs.
Regardless of which heartworm and flea protection you select, be sure to follow instructions keenly to ensure you administer the right dosage to your dog and on schedule.
