First Dose Of Trifexis....Not Good.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Well I finished out my supply of Interceptor which the Vet hooked me up with when she knew it was going to become very scarce, and I had to give the Doods a different Heartworm med.  The Vet thought that Trifexis was the next best alternative.  I was reluctant because of some of the things I've heard here on DK and elsewhere on the Internet, but she said that most of her patients were now using it without any reported problems.  I gave them each their dose last night and watched them for a few hours...they were fine.  This morning they wouldn't eat their breakfast which is a problem because they vomit bile if their stomach stays empty for very long in the morning.  I did convince them to eat some chicken which Murphy vomited up a short time later along with some of what must have been last night's dinner.  They have both been sleeping most of the day....they clearly don't feel well.  I took the remaining three doses back to the Vet this afternoon and told the Tech what happened.  She credited me for all of the doses and we switched to Heartgard for next month (considerably less expensive than Trifexis).  Hopefully they'll be able to eat and hold it down tonight.  I just wanted to share this.  I know that there have been other Doodles who had the same reaction.  There are lots of different reactions being reported on the net along with one Vet who seems to be trying to put together some data.  Does anyone know why the Interceptor has been unavailable for the past several months....my Vet Tech didn't seem to know.  Also, has anyone had any issues with Heartgard?  I know that's been around a lot longer than Trifexis, and there doesn't seem to be the same type of issue with side effects.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Webber and Seda just ran out of Interceptor too, and the Vet said they were beginning to get shipments in this month, they just didn't have the right one for my dogs.  The tech said that the factory had been shut down for a period of time. We got Heartguard plus for the next couple of doses.  I think the only difference is that Interceptor prevents whipworms and Heartgard doesn't.  I avoided the Trifexis because of what I had read on DK.  My doods didn't have any negative response to the switch.  I'm sorry your boys are feeling sick.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I use Heartguard as well and have had no problems either. I hope your guys are feeling better soon.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Stuart went into shock after taking Trifexis - panting, drooling, shaking - also made Rooney sick.  We now use Frontline and Heartgard.  The Heartgard does make Rooney's tummy upset so with give 1/2 dose at breakfast and the other 1/2 at dinner without problems.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

OMD Jane, I forgot about Stuart's reaction.  I guess we were lucky it was just vomiting.  I just fed Murph some chicken and rice.....we'll see if it stays down.  Guinness is still not eating.

[Phoebe's Mom]

First, I hope that the boys are feeling better today.  We (or should I say Phoebe) were on Interceptor as well and now Phoebe is on Trifexis (one does, last month so) and, interestingly, she had no reaction.  She has quite a sensitive tummy but she handled that dose just fine.  I read on the web that there is a manufacturer's shortage (whatever that means) and that the supply should become more readily available come the fall.  I hope so because now I am paranoid about giving her the second dose come August after reading these posts!  Do you think there could be a cumulative effect like sometimes happens with antibiotics?  I hope not!     ;(

[Angela Maynard]

Charley is on Trifexis and did fine.  We gave it to him with his dinner and there were no issues.  Unfortunately my vet also has no Interceptor which is what we really wanted to go with.  We decided against Heartgard because my doodle is part Australian Shepherd and herding dogs apparently should not take Heartgard. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's a genetic mutation and affects 25-50% of the breeds involved. If someone really, really wanted to give Heartgard or another ivermectin product, there is a genetic test to see if your dog is affected.

http://www.sheltie4me.com/info/display?PageID=5258

 

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Our vet recommended that we get Cosmo tested for this mutation in the MDR1 gene--just so we'll know if, in the future, we have to switch to an ivermectin product.

She said it costs about $60.

I plan to get it done when we go in for his annual exam in August.

[F, Calla & Luca]

NEWS I just spoke to Novartis and they say Interceptor will be available sometime this fall. I have enough on hand and will continue to use it even when that runs out. My dogs have done fine on it. I think a newly Investigated plant is probably safer than those where the problems haven't been discovered yet : )

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That is good news.  You're probably right about the safety of the plant at this point.  I'm going to wait and see what happens with the Heartgard.  Murph is still sick from the Trifexis...vomited and diarrhea again this morning.  It did a job on him.  Guinness is back to normal.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I hope Murphy gets done with this soon.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

So sorry Murph is still feeling so poorly. Hope he is back to his happy self soon.