What is NexGard?

Protecting your dog from harmful fleas and ticks has never been so easy! NexGard is a brand new, revolutionary flea and tick preventative from the makers of Frontline®, the #1 choice of veterinarians. It's the first flea and tick killer of its kind because it comes in a yummy, beef-flavored soft chew that protects your dog from a flea and tick infestation for a full 30 days. That means, you don't have to worry anymore about messy topicals, or accidentally washing your dogs preventative off while bathing! Also, it can be taken alongside your dog's heartworm medication, without interruption. NexGard keeps your pet protected from adult fleas by killing them before they have a chance to lay eggs, which reduces the possibility of a flea infestation. Plus, it kills 3 types of ticks (the American dog tick, the black-legged (Deer) tick and the Lone Star tick) which decreases the risk of your pet developing a deadly tick-borne disease. NexGard requires a prescription from your veterinarian.


For: Dogs

Benefits:

• First-ever flea and tick preventative from the makers of Frontline that comes in a tasty beef-flavored chew

• No more messy topical preventatives, and no more worrying about washing off your dog's flea protection

• Safe, effective, FDA-approved, and lasts for 30 days

• Can be taken alongside heartworm medication

How it Works:
NexGard contains a brand new ingredient not used in any other flea and tick protection. Afoxolaner, the ingredient in NexGard, works by absorbing rapidly and safely into your pet's bloodstream and causes uncontrolled activity the flea's and tick's central nervous system, which causes death. Afoxolaner is slowly excreted through your pet's metabolism, which allows NexGard to continue to provide effective treatment for a full 30 days. This means amazing protection in a tasty morsel! NexGard is a prescription-only medication, so talk to your vet.

Cautions:
NexGard is for use in dogs only. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include vomiting, dry/flaky skin, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite. The safe use of NexGard in pregnant, breeding or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures.
 

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More Information:

Brand Name NexGard

Active Ingredient(s): Afoxolaner What is this product used for: NexGard kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis), and the treatment and control of American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the black-legged (deer) tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) infestations in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older, weighing 4 pounds of body weight or greater, for one month. Availability: NexGard requires a prescription. How this product should be used: Give appropriate dosage based on your dog's weight. (See How to Use). If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost or if vomiting occurs within two hours of administration redose with another full dose. If a dose is missed, administer NexGard and resume a monthly dosing schedule. NexGard can be administered with or without food. NexGard should be administered all year-round. Treat all the pets in your home to reduce the risk of a flea infestation. What are the side effects: The most frequently reported adverse reaction was vomiting. The occurrence of vomiting was generally self-limiting and of short duration and tended to decrease with subsequent doses. There are no known contraindications for the use of NexGard. What special precautions are there: NexGard is for use in dogs only. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include vomiting, dry/flaky skin, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite. The safe use of NexGard in pregnant, breeding or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures. How should I store this product: Store at or below 30°C (86°F) with excursions permitted up to 40°C (104°F).

What is Sentinel?

Sentinel is the only monthly oral preventive that guards against heartworms, adult roundworms, adult hookworms, whipworms, and prevents the development of flea eggs. Sentinel requires a prescriptionfrom your veterinarian.
For:  Dogs   Benefits: • Comes in palatable flavored tabs • Easy to administer just once a month
How it works: Milbemycin oxime eliminates the tissue stage of heartworm larvae and the adult stage of hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infestations. Lufenuron, the other active ingredient, is an insect development inhibitor that breaks the flea life cycle by inhibiting egg development. Lufenuron prevents most flea eggs from hatching or maturing into adults and thus prevents and controls flea populations by breaking the life cycle. Sentinel may be given along with Capstar, which treats flea infestation. Cautions: Side effects are rare, though some animals may exhibit depression, drowsiness, vomiting, itching, hives, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or seizures. If these or other symptoms develop contact your veterinarian. Its important to maintain good personal hygiene, since humans can contract hookworms and roundworms. Its also important to eliminate fleas and to not feed your pet uncooked meat or fish. To prevent re-infection, clean up stools on a daily basis. Consult your veterinarian for pregnant or lactating dogs.
More Information:

Brand Name Sentinel (Novartis)

Generic Name Milbemycin Oxime (mil-beh-my-sin ox-eem) and Lufenuron (lew-fen-your-on)

What is the most important information I should know about Sentinel: Sentinel is a prescription medication FDA-approved for use in dogs. Sentinel is available as artificial beef flavored (derived from pork and soy protein) chewable tablets. This medication should be given once a month year-round. What is Sentinel: Sentinel is given once a month for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. Sentinel also protects against hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. Sentinel is also used to control fleas by preventing the development of flea eggs. Sentinel does not kill adult fleas. The American Heartworm Society recommends that heartworm prevention be used year-round. Sentinel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this guide. What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving Sentinel to my pet: Tell your veterinarian if your pet has ever had an allergic reaction to the medication. How should this medication be given: Give Sentinel exactly as directed by the veterinarian. If you do not understand the directions ask your pharmacist or veterinarian to explain them to you. The usual dose of Sentinel for dogs 2 to 10 pounds is 2.3mg/46mg, 11 to 25 pounds is 5.75mg/115mg, 26 to 50 pounds is 11.5mg/230mg and 51 to 100 pounds is 23mg/460mg given once a month year-round. For dogs over 100 pounds give the appropriate combination of tablets. Heartworm testing should be performed prior to the start of prevention therapy. If your pet is off Sentinel for 6 months or less, re-start the medication and test after 6 months since microfilaria, that take 6 months to mature, will result in a positive test result. Store Sentinel at room temperature. Do not remove the tablet from its wrapper until ready to give the medicine. Keep this medication away from children and pets. Consult your veterinarian for pregnant or lactating dogs.   What happens if I miss giving a dose: Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not give a double dose of the medication. What happens if I overdose the pet: Seek emergency veterinary medical treatment. Symptoms of overdose may include depression, drowsiness, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, hypersalivation, seizures, and weakness. What should I avoid while giving Sentinel to my pet: Because humans can contract hookworms and roundworms from animals, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene. It is also important to eliminate fleas on your pet and in the household and to not feed your pet rodents or uncooked meat or fish. To prevent reinfection, daily cleanup of stools is recommended. What are the possible side effects of Sentinel: Side effects of Sentinel are rare although some animals may exhibit depression, drowsiness, vomiting, itching, hives, loss of appetite, diarrhea, hypersalivation, seizures, and weakness. If these or other symptoms develop contact your veterinarian. What other drugs will affect Sentinel: While Sentinel is safe to use in dogs at risk for MDRI-allele mutation (Australian Shepherds, Collies, Shelties,etc.), unless tested normal, caution is advised if the pet is also being given amiodarone (Cordarone), azole antifungals such as ketoconazole, carvedilol (Coreg), cyclosporine (Atopica), diltiazem (Cardizem), erthromycin (Ery-Tabs) or clarithromycin (Biaxin), quinidine, spironolactone (Adlactone), tamoxifen, and verapamil (Calan). Do not give Sentinel to your pet if already giving an alternate heartworm medication. Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about Sentinel written for health professionals that you may read.

What is Ivermectin/Pyrantel?

Ivermectin/Pyrantel for dogs is a heartworm preventative that also controls roundworms and hookworms. Ivermectin/Pyrantel is a generic equivalent to Heartgard Plus. It has the same active ingredients and is the same strength. Ivermectin/Pyrantel is considered to be the #1 generic heartworm preventative recommended by veterinarians.
For: Dogs (6 weeks of age or older and no weight requirement)   Benefits: • Tasty flavored chewable tablets • Easy to administer • Small, easy-to-chew tablet for smaller or finicky dogs • Given once a month
How it works: Ivermectin/Pyrantel is an anthelmintic (dewormer). The ingredient pyrantel pamoate is used to treat and control roundworms and hookworms in dogs. Studies have indicated that certain dogs of the herding breeds are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels due to the MDR1 gene. For a full list of dog breeds that may be affected, click here. Cautions: Can cause sensitivities in herding dog breeds. Side effects of Ivermectin/Pyrantel are rare, but may include lethargy, limpness, salivation, shaking, diarrhea, decreased appetite, licking lips, and belching. Don't give your pet Ivermectin/Pyrantel if already giving a different heartworm medication. The safe use of this drug has not been evaluated in pregnant or lactating bitches.
More Information:

Brand Name Iverhart Plus (Virbac), Tri-Heart Plus (Intervet)

Generic Name Ivermectin/Pyrantel

What is the most important information I should know about Ivermectin/Pyrantel: Ivermectin/Pyrantel is a prescription medication available as flavored chewable tablets. The usual dose of Ivermectin/Pyrantel in dogs up to 25 pounds is 68mcg/57mg (Blue box), for dogs 26-50 pounds is 136mcg/114mg (Green box) and for dogs 51-100 lbs 272mcg/227mg (Brown box). Dogs over 100 lbs are given a combination of tablets. What is Ivermectin/Pyrantel: Ivermectin/Pyrantel is given once a month for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs. Ivermectin/Pyrantel also protects against hookworms and roundworms in dogs. It is recommended by the American Heartworm Society that heartworm prevention be given year-round. Ivermectin/Pyrantel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this guide. What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving Ivermectin/Pyrantel to my pet: Tell your veterinarian if your pet has ever had an allergic reaction to the medication. How should this medication be given: Give Ivermectin/Pyrantel exactly as directed by your veterinarian. If you do not understand the directions ask your pharmacist or veterinarian to explain them to you. Use with caution, Collies and other herding dog breeds have been known to have adverse reactions to invermectin administered at elevated dose levels. Heartworm testing should be performed prior to the start of prevention therapy. If your pet is off Ivermectin/Pyrantel for 6 months or less, start the medication and test after 6 months since microfilaria, that take 6 months to mature, will result in a positive test result. Store Ivermectin/Pyrantel at room temperature. Do not remove the tablet from its wrapper until ready to give to your pet. Keep this medication away from children and pets. The safe use of this drug has not been evaluated in pregnant or lactating bitches.  What happens if I miss giving a dose: Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not give a double dose of the medication. What happens if I overdose the pet: Seek emergency veterinary medical treatment. Symptoms of overdose may include vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of coordination in dogs. What should I avoid while giving Ivermectin/Pyrantel to my pet: Because humans can contract hookworms from animals, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene. It is also important to eliminate fleas on your pet and in the household and to not feed your pet rodents. To prevent reinfection, daily cleanup of stools is recommended. What are the possible side effects of Ivermectin/Pyrantel: Side effects of Ivermectin/Pyrantel are rare at the recommended heartworm prevention dose. Higher doses in dogs may cause tremors, dilated pupils, loss of body weight, or death. What other drugs will affect Ivermectin/Pyrantel: Do not give Ivermectin/Pyrantel if your pet is already being given another heartworm medication. Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about Ivermectin/Pyrantel written for health professionals that you may read.