Question about tick med...Certifect

[Gail and Bailey]

I am wondering if any of you have put the tick med "Certifect" on your doodle and noticed any adverse effects.  My 8 month golden doodle is on Trifexis for fleas and heart worms and the vet put her on Certifect to give her protection against ticks as well.  The day the Certifect was put on her she got lethagic and would not play. I called the vet the next day and by the time they called back she had eaten and seemed better so it was obviously not critical so we did nothing. Now it has been 3 days and I can only say that she is ok but just seems different.  She does not have the same "spunk" that she had. I am probably over-reacting....but I just wanted to put it out there and see if anyone else has had the same experience. What meds are you guys using to protect against fleas, heart worm, and ticks as well?  I live in southern Indiana so the deer ticks are a problem.   

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I use Frontline Plus - we are in TN and ticks are an issue here too.  FP has worked well for us and I have not noticed any side effects (dogs have used for years).  I  have not heard of Certifect before.  Maybe another Dker has....

[Bonnie and Kona]

I haven't heard of Certifect. I hope someone can help you. I just switched from Advantage to Advantix II and I hate it! It does not seem to be affecting the fleas! Both dogs are scratching like mad. Arrgh! We needed to add a tick treatment since both dogs got one tick in the past few months. 

[Gail and Bailey]

I used Revolution for fleas in past years and never had a problem with it.  Now we live in an area where ticks are a problem too....so, I must add something for that.  When I got my doodle, she was on Interceptor and Frontline Plus.  When I took her to my vet for a "welcome" visit...the vet had me switch her to Trifexis and Certifect.  That combo is supposed to be more effective (according to my vet) but....I am beginning to think that the vet's office just pushes certain meds for profit reasons.  Any thoughts out there???

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Our vet switched us to Certifect. It is made by the same company that makes Frontline Plus and is supposed to kill ticks faster..at least that is what the vet said. I hate HATE the smell when I apply it to my dogs and I can smell it for days later. I have not noticed any other side effects, but the smell really turns me off. I asked at our last appointment and no one else seemed to notice the smell. We have a real problem with ticks, too, and I have already pulled a deer tick off Vern.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

The active ingredients in Certifect are fipronil, (S)-methoprene, and amitraz. Lethargy is a known side effect for this medication, but the label says that, if the symptoms persist for more than a few days after application, contact a veterinarian immediately. I would contact them again, and at least get this in her chart.

Source: http://www.1800petmeds.com/Certifect+for+Dogs+-prod11230.html

How long before the Certifect application did she have her most recent dose of Trifexis?

Strange side effects have been noted for it, as well. You can search for Trifexis on DK and find several previous discussions about issues with Trifexis.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Oh-I hope she gets better! We use Frontline Plus and Heartguard Plus (Wisconsin)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I do know several dogs even on here have had issues with Trifexes causing seizures and other issues. We are on interceptor and FP. I only use the FP every three months in the winter. Ticks have not been too much of an issue here. Jack had one once when he was on Revolution.

[Gail and Bailey]

I am happy to report that my little Bailey has returned to normal this evening!  She is playing and being a happy girl again!  It took 3 days for the effects of the Certifect to go away!  I do not think I will be using it again!!!  Thanks for all the input!

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

So glad to hear that Bailey is her usual, happy, playful self! This is great news.

It probably was just a temporary side effect of the Certifect, and I agree it is probably best to look for a different solution next time. Certifect is also used to control sarcoptic mange, so it is a pretty powerful med. Maybe something a little milder would be just as effective for ticks!

Best wishes for Bailey's continued good health!