Vet Switching from Vectra-3D to Parastar

[Phoebe's Mom]

My vet told me yesterday that the practice is switching from Vectra to Parastar because its formula is gentle on the skin and that there should be fewer reactions to it as a result.  She also told me that Parastar becomes effective within a few hours of application and that it need only be applied to one spot between the shoulders as opposed to the three spot application we had ben following for Vectra.  I explained my concerns to her about Phoebe and her allergies but she assured me that Phoebe would be fine on the Parastar.  I LOVE this veterinary practice and they have been wonderful to me and exceptional with Phoebe but I have to admit I am still a little concerned about making the switch.  Does anyone use Parastar currently?  What are your thoughts?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.parastarpet.com/

 

The active ingredient is fipronil, which (as mentioned in the link) is the same ingredient in Frontline. I have used Frontline for years and never had a problem, it's been around a long time.

What I find interesting is that Parastar is made by Novartis, and didn't we just recently have a discussion here about Novartis suspending operations and production of some other preventative?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, here it is: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/healthandmedicalissues/forum/topi...

 

Maybe they are replacing Interceptor and/or Sentinel with Parastar?

[F, Calla & Luca]

No doubt if they are the patent on something is about to run out. But I don't know that a topical to kill mosquitoes would replace Interceptor.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Blushing here, because I didn't know what Interceptor was used to prevent. I see it's for heartworm, and of course you're right, a topical intended to kill fleas (and mosquitoes I guess) wouldn't help.

I've been using Heartgard for 9 million years.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I'm not sure how Parastar could replace Sentinel (milbemycin oxime and lufenuron) or Interceptor (milbemycin oxime), because it is not a heartworm preventative. It could replace the insecticide component of Sentinel, but not the milbemycin oxime.

If Parastar kills adult fleas and ticks, it would actually be a little different from Sentinel, as its lufenuron component inhibits the development of flea eggs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've never used the combination flea/tick/heartworm preventatives. Jackdoodle's dermatologist is of the opinion that the all in one products aren't as effective against any of the things they're supposed to prevent as the individual products are.

I am familiar with Revolution, but not the other "all-in-ones".

So I was not aware that Sentinel is an "all-in-one" and was only thinking about the flea/tick aspect.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I recently got Interceptor without any problem.

[F, Calla & Luca]

And you can get generic Frontline now , which is much less expensive.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

Are they switching to the Parastar or the Parastar Plus.

 

The plus has an additional ingrediant "cyphenothrin"  - this is the active ingrediant in " Sergeant's Gold Flea and Tick ".

 

As with any flea and tick treatments there are potential side effects.  I don't know if I would switch if my dogs were doing OK on another product.

 

I would ask "Why are you switching?" The idea that it is gentle on the skin does not fly with me.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Thanks, everyone, for your comments.  I appreciate them all.  Phoebe is on Interceptor as well with no issues.  It seems that our vet feels that Parastar is not only easier on the skin but also mentioned that there are far fewer issues with overall allergies as well. I have admit that I am still on the fence about switching but, as I said, I do love our vet and she has been spot on in the past, so I am hoping for the best.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If it helps, Frontline is what JD's veterinary dermatology specialist recommends, and that's the same active ingredient as Parastar.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think the vets are switching from Frontline because now that you can get generics it doesn't give them as big a profit margin, sceptic that I am. The main thing I worried about with Frontline is the toluene and I suspect that is still an issue with these other things although I couldn't find the inactive ingredients in Parastar. For now I'm sticking with Interceptor and Frontline generic,> I did skip the Frontline this month no ticks around right now but I give the Interceptor anyway.