Thought this was interesting information, FDA approves three new drugs.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/08/fda-approves-three-new-drugs-for...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, the most interesting thing is that they changed Interceptor to include tapeworm, which wasn't really necessary. They did a similar thing when they stopped making plain Heartgard and only sell Heartgard Plus, which also kills various intestinal worms. It's too bad they couldn't have left us with a plain Heartworm med, or a plain tablet rather than beef flavored-chewables, which all dogs can't take. I preferred having a choice. I'm sure Interceptor users would have liked a choice, too.

The chewable cephalexin, well, very few dogs need to be on cephalexin long-term, and it just really isn't that big a deal to put a pill down a dog's throat, lol.

Fortunately, I have not had experience with fentanyl. I'll be interested in F's opinion on that, the comment about dangers and the dog chewing off the patch was interesting.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Murphy's trainers dog chewed fentanyl patch off of her other dog.....came very close to dying. Was very very scary. Thank god for 24 hr er vet.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's the way it looks, Sandy. Apparently the old formula has been discontinued in favor of the new.

Same thing happened with plain old Heartgard a couple of years ago.

[F, Calla & Luca]

They claimed Interceptor was on back order because of a problem in the manufacturing plant.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Here is a link to an FAQ from Novartis regarding the Lincoln, NE, plant:

http://www.ah.novartis.us/FAQ/FAQ.htm

They say Clomicalm began shipping in mid-June and Sentinel is in validation processing--a step before it is back in full production (this somewhat contradicts the story in the Lincoln, NE, newspaper, which said that Sentinel was back in production). The FAQ information is dated July 30, 2012.

This FAQ seems to have been added fairly recently, as I have been searching their site for this info since February.

Interestingly, there is no mention of Interceptor or this new formulation.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Fentanyl has been around a long time and is a powerful painkiller. It is or was a favorite drug of abuse among some medical professionals. It might be a real danger if a dog could chew the patch and overdose.

As to Interceptor I am always suspicious about these sort of formulary changes. Sometimes it is a way of getting a patent on a new drug when the old patent is expiring.

And why they need a chewable antibiotic when generic forms of this drug are widely available and easy to give I wonder too. Another money maker I fear.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I will be very interested to see what kind of Interceptor shows up in my Vet's office.  They told me that Interceptor was back in the office, just not in the strength I needed.  We switched to Heartgard Plus until the right strength would come in.  No one has mentioned a new formula or a higher cost.  How frustrating.  More poisons all in the same pill.

[1xar0x2rcx0li]

Given our societies trouble with opioid abuse and diversion of prescriptions I am very worried about fentanyl being approved.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The fentanyl patch is new????? When Gordie had his first CCL surgery three years ago, he had a fentanyl patch.  It was a bad deal for him.  Apparently he is sensitive to fentanyl and he did not start his recovery until it was removed - he was so sick from it.  And his patch did not just peel off like they say.  We had to take him to the vet and have it removed (they used ether I think) and it left him with rectangle or little hair for about a year.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The Fentanyl patch for humans is not new. Maybe that's what they used.

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

I do remember reading about a fentanyl patch about 18 months ago when I had Bella spayed. It's been around for awhile. My fear was that my grandson would come in contact with it as he loves laying on her, or that he'd get it off somehow. It would be lethal to a child, or to Murphy as well should he get ahold of it. . And you can't wrap or cover the area, as pressure and heat can increase the effect of it when it's applied. Top risky.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Thanks for the information.  For every solution there is an associated problem, it seems.  But good to know what is out there. Personally, I like chewable pills for dogs.  Yes I can give a dog (or even a horse) a pill he doesn't want to take, but much more pleasant for both of us to find a pleasant solution.