Has anyone switched from Sentinel to Interceptor Plus for heart worm and parasites?

[Marianne Kay]

My DVM wants Pierre to switch to Interceptor Plus instead of the the Sentinel. Has anyone had any issues with Interceptor Plus? Pierre has been on Frontline Plus and Sentinel for 7 years. My understanding is that Interceptor Plus takes care of an additional parasite compared to Sentinel. He goes off the Sentinel in December and goes back on in March, Per DVM instructions, then is tested for heartworm in March.

[Amy and Annabelle]

When I first got Annabelle the vet put her on Revolution. A couple of months later she got worms. The vet put her on 3 doses of Sentinel as treatment. I loved the Sentinel so kept her on it for awhile, she was also on Nexgard heartworm. Then my vet retired and was bought out by a new vet. The new one didn't want Annabelle on Sentinel and Nexgard together, because she thought Annabelle would get too much flea med. So now she is on Interceptor Plus and Nexgard. She has been for over 2 years and have never had any problems with it. 

[Marianne Kay]

Thank you for responding. That sounds encouraging with Annabelle on it for over 2 years. Pierre had some allergic problems a few years back, and I want to be careful about changing what has been working for him.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If you have been happy with what he has been on, I would be reluctant to switch.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

If you have been happy with Sentinel for 7 years and had no issues, just ask your Vet to give you a prescription for sentinel and buy it online.  Today Charlie saw a new vet and she suggested he take Interceptor Plus instead of Heartgaard because it treats additional parasites that Heartgard does not.  I am not keen about switching either.  She did say she could give me a prescription for Heartgaard Plus and I could buy it online if I wanted to.  I have not decided what to do either.  I will be watching this discussion to see if anyone has had an issue with Interceptor.

[Marianne Kay]

Thank you for your opinion and idea about getting an Rx to use online to stay on Sentinel if I choose that option. My vet had stated that the Interceptor Plus has more coverage, but she did not say that this additional parasite had become a problem in our area. Pierre has not had an abnormal stool test. He does go to a local dog park and we have "tourist" visitors from other states, especially this time of year. I am going to leave her a message to inquire further. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

My two dogs have been taking Sentinel and NexGard for a few years without any issues. I always give it to them when I am going to be at home for the next several hours, just to be sure that there is no reaction, but we have never had a problem.  

[Marianne Kay]

Thank you!

[Stacy]

My dogs have been on sentinel - not sentinel spectrum, just the original one, for years with good results. The thing I  like about sentinel is that it acts as birth control for fleas. I feel like it gives us an extra layer of protection from the little creepy crawlies. It does not protect against tapeworms, but *knock on wood* we haven't ever had an issue with that. They've also been on Bravecto since the beginning of last summer and I've been happy with that as well. 

Personally I'm of the opinion of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it." I also think that with these medications with similar functions the choice between the two is very subjective. And sometimes it's based on what an individual tolerates better. So I think go with what you're comfortable with. 

And thank you for reminding me that the girls are due for their monthly Sentinel today!

[Marianne Kay]

Thank you for your thoughts, too, Stacy. Yes, I do not like trying any new medication myself, unless it has been out on the market for at least 6 years. The real results show up on the FDA website, in time. I have not had anyone tell me they are on the Interceptor Plus, from this site, so I will continue with Sentinel. I will also ask around at my local dog park.