Are all in one (Flea, Tick and Heartworm) Treatments Safe to Use?

In the late 80s, there were very limited options for parasite prevention in dogs. The dusty powders with distinct smell had really limited affects on insects. Then there were sprays and flea shampoos with no real impact on pests. The advent of topical dog parasitic treatments was a major breakthrough. Over a period of time, people around the world were registering noticeable dissatisfaction towards these drugs as some of them caused skin irritation; glossy fur and skin rashes due to persistent itching. This is why there was a need felt among pharmaceutical companies to introduce oral treatments.

The veterinary medicine has grown many folds during the last few years. The latest addition to this set of treatments is combination drugs that serve as multi-purpose treatment in one dose. Whilst this developed set of combination treatments have made our lives fairly easy, it is vital to sense the understanding whether or not we are putting our animal companion at risk when using these high-end drugs.

BENEFITS OF ALL-IN-ONE (Flea, tick and worm) TREATMENTS:

  • One treatment for multiple parasites
  • Easy to administer
  • Treats existing infections and prevents future infestations.
  • Prevents the need for administering different medications for fleas, ticks or worms
  • Saves time
  • Cost-effective
  • Easy to manage parasite protection in your dog
  • Reduces suffering in dogs from the administration of different treatments

Here is an overview of the potency of a few leading chewable combinations of dog therapies with their safety evaluation that can help you choose the best all-in-one (flea, tick, heartworm and intestinal worm) treatment for your dog.

Choosing the All-in-One Heartworm and Flea Treatment for Dogs

Here is a quick overview of the potency of a few leading chewable combination dog therapies with their safety evaluation:

Simparica Trio – A Perfect Combination of Fleas, Ticks & Worms

A single dose of Simparica Trio has shown over 90% efficacy within 48 hours of initial dose. Dogs treated with Simparica Trio had significantly lower mean live tick counts than those treated with other drugs. Simparica Trio acts rapidly and achieves the highest standards of effectiveness, as well as safe, under both experimental and natural conditions.

The efficiency of Simparica Trio has been evaluated against five common species of ticks found in the USA; Deer tick, American dog tick or wood tick, Brown dog tick, Amblyomma maculatum and Lone Star ticks.

Let’s compare : Interceptor Plus and Simparica Trio – Which One is Better?

Comfortis Plus – A Chewable for Fleas, Heartworms & Instestinal worms

Comfortis Plus is safe to use in puppies for 14 weeks of age and over 2.3kg in bodyweight. It is rapidly absorbed from the stomach and distributed around the body after oral administration and kills 90% of fleas within 12 hours of application and protects throughout the month. The safety of Comfortis Plus in pregnant and lactating females has not been evaluated, hence it is recommended consulting a veterinarian before using it on them.
The most common adverse reaction reported with this drug is vomiting, and this occurs most commonly within 48 hours of the administration of the first dose and decreasing with repeat doses.

The most common adverse reaction reported with this drug is vomiting, and this occurs most commonly within 48 hours of the administration of the first dose and decreasing with repeat doses.

NEXGARD SPECTRA – All in one Oral Parasite Protection

The active ingredients; afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime are parasite neurotoxins and work by interfering with the nervous system of the parasite. NexGard Spectra is safe to use in puppies which are 8 weeks of age and over 2kgs in weight. NexGard Spectra is safe to use in various breeds of dogs including Collie breeds.

FAQ about Nexgard Spectra for Dogs

The most adverse reactions caused with Nexgard Spectra are self-limiting and of short duration, including vomiting, lethargy, diarrhoea, itching and, very rarely, seizures.

CONCLUSION

As a pet owner, you can never be sure whether these premium drugs will be good for your pet’s health unless you use them. The best way to introduce a new therapy to your animal companion is after discussing it out with your vet because your veterinarian will be familiar with your dog’s needs, as well as the risk associated with any specific treatment, so they can give the most effective recommendation.