Brinkley & Trifexis

[Heather & Brinkley]

I went in to get Brinkley's interceptor and comfortis 2 months ago.  The front desk woman said, "the vet tech wanted to know if there was any reason you weren't on Trifexis.  It's the combo of the two pills all in one pill.  It's basically the same thing but cheaper since it's only one pill."

 

I agreed to get it without even thinking.  Honestly, I didn't even know it was a new drug. I thought they just hadn't told me about it.  The first dose was given to Brinkley without one problem. He went on as normal.  Well, last week, I gave it to him for the second month.  Within a few hours he was lethargic and sick to his tummy. He wasn't interested in eating and he was even gagging up water at times.

Then the next day, he stated to act like he was drunk.  We had a dog in the past that had seizures and these looked like mini seizures.

 

I did a quick google search only to find that other dogs had the same reaction.  After a few days of givig the pill he bounced back, and not a problem but I am NEVER giving this pill to him again.  It was scary and terrible.

 

I felt so sorry for him. He didn't want to play or eat. He just wanted to sleep.  Terrible.  This has tought me to do my research.  I'm a little angry at the way it was presented to me... as if it was odd that I wasn't giving him Trifexis.  I will always seach before agreeign to change meds.

 

Heather

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Heather, we just had a discussion here about problems with Trifexis: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/caution-trifexis-heartworm...

I'm glad Brinkley is feeling better now.

 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

That is scary. Did you notify your vet of Brinkley's reaction?

[Heather & Brinkley]

Yeah, I told them and let them know to switch him back to the old way next month.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

What a scare! I am so glad that Brinkley is okay. You're right the vet's office was not upfront about the new drug but I think this is common. Most people believe that if drugs have been released for use it means they are safe.  Obviously not the case here!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks for warning us.  Definitely call your vet and let them know about this.

[Kim, Abby & Beckett]

Oh no. My vet started Abby on this last month. I am scared now to do another dose. She is due one in a week. Thankfully since she is a puppy and growing like a weed, I have to take her in to be weighed and purchase a single dose each time. I am definitely going to ask when I go in though.

[Laurie Young]

I use Trifexis on all 3 of my pups and have not had a problem with it.

I was told to make sure that they have eaten a full meal before giving it.  I was even told that if any of them had any difficulty taking it that since I fed 2 meals a day I coud give half after the morning meal and half after the evening meal.

I think with any drugs that are out there, possible side effects can occur, just like in humans some pets may be more sensitive than others.

I trust my vet and she would not give me something to give to my dogs if it were going to hurt them.

[Heather & Brinkley]

I trust my vet also but I don't think the vet tech "sold" it to me in the right manner. I should have been told it was a newer drug and given a list of side effects. It wasn't the vet giving it to me, it was the tech. I also don't think they were trying to hurt Brinkley, but I do think they got caught up in pushing a new drug. My husband is in medicine and if the vet world of drugs works any way like the human world, doctors get perks for selling new drugs because the sales rep is trying to meet his quota.

[Sharon & Monty]

Sorry to hear your poor baby had a reaction.  Thank goodness you were paying attention to these symptoms.  I have a habit of never giving Monty his monthly Frontline and Sentinel on a day that I cant watch him.  I split them up so that only one is given at a time, then I give him the other one two weeks later.  He has never had a reaction, but like most folks I wish I didnt have to give it at all.  We have serious troubles with deer ticks in my area, so its a given that I need to continue.  So glad his symptoms have passed.  

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks, yes until trying this, I also split his doses. I'm going back to tat next month!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Glad to hear Brinkley is feeling better-how horrible that must have been to see and for him to go through. Thanks for sharing!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I tried the Trifexis with my guys but they didn't like it, didn't want take it.  I wasn't crazy about it so went back to Heartguard and Frontline.  Then I read a recent discussion on a doodle breeders forum how it can affect pregnant females (reasorb the litter) and cause both sexes to go sterile.  Just great! Harlow is supposed to come into season this month but hasn't shown any of her typical signs of even wanting to come in. :(