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!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Same combo I use essentially.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

I believe Sentinel is the only one that covers all worms including Whip and Tapeworm. Advantage Multi doesn't cover Tapeworm. We recently switched to Sentinel as a matter of caution after having a wormy foster dog.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Trifexis covers fleas and worms...we use Frontline Plus go cover ticks. No problems here at all.

[Adina P]

Do you also add a separate flea preventive or trust that in Sentinel?

[Jennifer & Truffle]

On our vet's recommendation, we've been using Sentinel & Parastar Plus since Truffle came to us last year.  To date, no adverse reactions with either med, and no nasty worms/fleas/ticks.  

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

We use Sentinel and Frontline Plus per vet. All has been well.

[Adina P]

Sentinel vs. Sentinel Spectrum?

I see different chemicals (extra 2) listed and the terms 'treat,' 'control,' and 'prevent' are different.  Does anyone know the definitions of each of these when it comes to parasite preventives?  Is "control" different than "treat" and if so how?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

At this point, I'm going to say that rarely has a discussion been more aptly named. LOL

I can look up all those terms when i have a chance, but I'm not sure there is a firm definition for each one as it applies to canine parasite preventative products. Some of it may be marketing-speak.

[Adina P]

My suspicion is 'control' keeps the numbers down and that kind of bursts my bubble about it's usefulness.  I want one of them to say "kills" and "eradicates" all intestinal worms and even better would be...: "once your dog has taken this pill, worms will sense it and not come within 15 feet of your yard or dog."

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You can have option A: kills and eradicates all intestinal worms. Not option B, lol.

Keep in mind that the treatment is different for each of these parasites. You "control" fleas in that just killing them isn't enough: you need a product that will also break the reproductive cycle and prevent fleas from laying eggs, eggs from turning into larva and larva from hatching in your home. This is not true of internal worms, obviously. So they are using different words because they have different drugs (or chemicals if you like) with different forms of actions. Does that make sense? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"Treat" means that if your dog gets parasite A, this will get rid of it. As in, this antibiotic will treat your child's strep throat.

"Prevent" means that if your dog gets bitten by a mosquito who is carrying microfilarae for heartworms, this will kill them before your dog has worms in his heart. As in, this drug will prevent your dog from developing heartworm disease. 

Notice that in all cases, something will be killed. Does that make you feel better?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

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