Heartworm Meds -- I Need Advice!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I have a real dilemma here so I'm hoping some of you have some additional knowledge or experience.

Finn has been on a regiment of Interceptor and Frontline Plus since puppyhood.  No problems. In late winter, the vet prescribed Heartgard as a heartworm preventative because Interceptor was no longer available.  I gave him the Heartguard and 3-4 days later, Finn had what appeared to be a petit mal seizure. And 7 days later, another.  The vets thought it might be Idiopathic Epilepsy.  I questioned the Ivermectin in Heartguard.  The info I've found says seizures can occur 1-3 days later -- although the vet felt it would be more like 48 hours. It also turned out he had a preputial (sp?) infection at that time,which we've been treating. A stubborn little infection, not helped by the fact that Finn hides his pills in his cheek and spits them out 5 minutes later.  But I think we've got that under control now.  We've been watching him closely ever since and (knock on wood), no more seizures.

They thought I could try the Heartguard again.  I can't. I just CAN"T give it to him. I feel like I'm giving him poison but I know he HAS to be on a heartworm preventive. 

So they recommended Sentinel because it uses Milbemycin, the same as Interceptor. BUT it also has a chemical to stop fleas from reproducing although it does NOT kill fleas.  I would still have to use Frontline Plus because I want the fleas dead, not biting the dog and/or me.  This seems like too many chemicals to me. The vet says "no problem" but they don't see Heartguard as a problem.  

Has anyone used Sentinel and Frontline Plus together?

I also see that there is an Interceptor Spectrum available --at least I can order it online without a prescription --- but it looks like I may be ordering it from outside the US.  Has anyone done that?

PS

Trifexis is no good for us as it contains Spinosad which may lower the seizure threshold if a dog has previously had seizures.

Advantage Multi does not kill ticks and we live in a heavily infested tick area.

I would really appreciate your input, thoughts, or advice. 

 

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Great advise thanks. I have been giving on same day...so as not to forget....now, I will be sure to do 01 & 15th
Why wouldn't vet advise this??

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

This Interceptor thing is really confusing.  When Novartis first pulled it, they said it was due to manufacturing difficulties and they'd have it back on the shelves in a few months.  Those statements are still floating around the internet --not dated in some cases.  So I wonder if that's what people are seeing??? Then they decided they were not going to offer Interceptor in the US anymore and they rolled out this big push for Sentinel -- which has really pi**sed off a lot of people (like me). Seriously, who wants a bunch of sterile fleas living out their life and biting you again and again? I know somebody is going to point out the exact lifespan of a flea LOL. I'm hoping what Sharon and Karen heard is true. That Novartis sees what a big mistake this was and they clean out their marketing and business development people.  They are selling another new product, Interceptor Spectrum, produced by Novartis Australasia.  It seems to be the same as Interceptor but with praziquantel added to kill tapeworm. No flea component. You can buy it online from Canada or Australia. I see that people are doing that. That's my other option.    

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks all.  This is helpful to me and Finn (and I've never used so many big words in one day). 

[Barbara Burrows]

I have used Frontline and Sentinel on my two for the last two years. This year they will be on Sentinel and Parastar Plus, a Novartis product. Their vet said he did not believe Interceptor would be back.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks Barbara.  Why Parastar Plus -- are they designed to work together?

[Barbara Burrows]

Frontline doesn't seem to work as well as it did. Both Sentinel and Parastar are made by Novatris. Molly has a reaction to Advantix, the vet thought Parastar would be safe for her. Abby has a flea bite allergy and when fleas are very bad he also adds Comfortis. She has to take this about 3 months a year.
Sorry you and Finnegan have to go through this.