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]

Yes you need an rx for heartworm meds, which my vet willingly gives me.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Thanks F! So not flea and tick, just heart worm. Great

[Sheila & Finnley]

Leslie, you don't need a scrip so much as you have to be current on your vet visits. It you are up to date on your yearly physical, I don't think it should be a problem. As far as flea and tick stuff, you can get that anytime.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You do need a script. If you don't have one they will call your vet who can call or fax a script. but your vet won't do that if you haven't been in for a very long time. Believe me I know this since they won't let me prescribe for my dogs : (

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

This is good to know, thanks!

[Sheila & Finnley]

What F said. I swear I write stuff and then reread, post it and go back after editing time is up and think, how'd I write it so it sounded so wrong ? LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So as luck would have it, I needed to get more Heartgard today and JD had a vet appt anyway. 

I paid 109.98 for a pkg of 12, and I got a form to send in to Merial for a $12 rebate. Total after rebate, 97.98. 

I just checked the 1800 petmeds website and their price for the same 12 pack is 102.98. Had I ordered from them, it would have cost me $5 more than the vet. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I get Iverheart Plus made by Virbac. For 12 at Calla's weight I paid $85. That probably included a coupon. My father used to say "a mickle and a mickle makes a muckle". The gist of that is that I do try to save if it's comparable. I also like the convenience since my goal is to see the vet just once a year. I also do not like the idea of vets dispensing meds any more than I do MDs dispensing meds. Separation keeps everyone honest : )

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

On that last point, we are in full agreement. 

But for most meds, you can buy them from a pharmacy and you know it's a reliable source. I get almost all of JD's meds at CVS. Too bad the drugstores don't sell HW preventatives.

Since I'm at the vet at least once a month anyway, for me it's very convenient to get the preventatives there. 

But as far as savings go, my real point with the above post is that it may pay for people to check their vet's prices and not just assume that it's always going to be cheaper to order on-line. 

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

Actually we get our HW preventative at a drugstore! SO is a pharmacy manager, we have the vet call it in to one of our pharmacies and we order it straight from Anda. We also get a discount because we're employees (I'm employed at a separate pharmacy). There are certain products that aren't available though, so check with your pharmacy first. It saved us a lot of money though.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Karen, I recently started to give Wally Rimadyl, and our vet matched the lowest price that I could find online.  So, I agree, that it's totally worth checking.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Karen, good to know. Maybe I should call my vet and check on sale prices ;-)