This shouldn't be so hard. Exploring worm preventives, etc.

[Adina P]

Because we don't have heartworm in my area, I've only used heartworm preventives on one dog, one time when I traveled into another state.  Well, a little while ago Boca had a fecal and whipworm larvae were found.  Eewwww.  Luckily it is not a zoonotic parasite.  Phew!  But my vet has recently started recommending putting all dogs on a worm preventive just to control non-heartworm parasites.  My dogs don't really go anywhere, but I guess since they got whipworm, what's to stop them from picking up something else in an otherwise benign area?

Heartgard does not cover whipworms so that is out.
So what am I left with?  Sentinel and Trifexis?  Are those the only alternatives?  I've read some bad experiences with Trifexis on here.  I'm leaning toward Sentinel but I have heard the anti-flea aspect isn't as good as Frontline Plus.  Then there's ticks.  Is there anything that covers ALL intestinal worms and is awesome with fleas and ticks AND is quite unremarkable when it comes to side effects?  I really don't want to have to remember to buy a handful of drugs.  And I'm also curious and interested in the oral med that is new from Frontline Plus makers (I think?) so I don't have to use a spot-on.

Talk to me dog people!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

For whatever reason I am not getting notifications when someone comments on this discussion. If says I am following....

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Prior to using Revolution (which I'm happy with) I used Sentinel for worm and flea protection. Sentinel doesn't provide great flea protection as it doesn't kill adult fleas at all (just acts a flea sterilizer); Oliver kept getting fleas so I switched to Revolution. If you decide to use Sentinel, I would recommend using another flea medicine too. I'm actually thinking about switching Oliver to the Sentinel and NexGuard combo since oral medications are so much easier.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

After years of using Heartguard and K9 Advantix II, I have switched completely and now use Sentinel and NexGuard.  Sentinel offers protection against some worms that aren't covered by Heartguard, and NexGuard takes care of the ticks and gives some added coverage for fleas.  

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

No matter which combination of medicines are used, they all need to come from a vet, not online, right?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Right.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I really don't believe that. I use 1800petmeds and have been happy with them.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I use them as well. I certainly wouldn't buy from Costco or somewhere similar tho.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, that's what Merial says. They state that that they do not sell to any retailers, only to vets. So what you believe is up to you, but I believe what I was told directly by the manufacturer of the product. 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Sorry as I obviously missed something/this may be redundant, but what were you told directly from the mfr of sentinel? I just bought a slew of it from 1800 petmeds, should i be concerned? Thx!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I only talked to Merial, as I use Frontline & Heartgard. 

I have no experience with 1800 petmeds. But I was ordering from Foster & Smith, and I received some Heartgard that was clearly not direct from the manufacturer. Separate doses from several different opened packages with different lot numbers and expiration dates, some of them which would have expired before I was able to use them, all thrown into a baggie. No box, no reminder labels. No thanks.

If you check pricing, you may find that you are really not saving that much by ordering it on-line. My vet has specials on it, and also gives manufacturer's rebate coupons. I think I was saving a dollar a month by buying from F & S instead of the vet, and that's before the mail-in rebates. For me, $10 a year is not worth the risk of getting a counterfeit or substandard product. 

[Sheila & Finnley]

I'm with F, the 1800Petmeds is a very good site. All I know is what I have and I have a box of Heartgard from the vets, and I have one from Petmeds. They are exactly the same and both by Merial.

Maybe Merial considers Petmeds as reputable as a vet, so it is not thought of by their company as a retailer ?

I also get my K 9 Advantix II from their. Has always worked great, and I am comfortable with it as Finnley has had no reactions or problems. WHEW !

Just adding my 2 cents worth  :)

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Sheila,
Does petmeds require a prescription? If so, do you just ask your vet for it yearly?
Is this uncomfortable to do since they might rely some on the income from meds
sold to pet owners. I sure wouldn't mind saving a little if it's legit!