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Originally Posted by Ellie May  I was using Interceptor, then Heartgard and now Interceptor again.
I think I like Interceptor best.
Interceptor, Heartgard and Sentinel are the only only I would even consider personally right now. I don't like Revolution (might have a higher death rate than the others and the heartworm protection is questionable) and Advantage Multi is too new. ProHeart6 is way too risky in my opinion. |
I did a LOT of research on this when I was deciding on what to give my baby. Here's what I understand about these products: Revolution is applied at the back of the neck and is for heartworm, fleas, and ticks, but my vet specifically dissuaded me from using it. According to him (and research online) it isn't very good at protecting against heartworms, and it only kills the adult stage fleas (and they have to BITE your baby to die). Sentinel works in a similar way--the flea has to bite the dog to die and it controls only the adult stage flea. Heartgard Plus is great at protecting agains heartworms, and it treats and controls hookworms and roundworms as well, but it DOESN'T do anything for the deadly whipworms. Interceptor is also great at protecting against heartworms, and it treats and controls hookworms, roundworms, AND whipworms. Needless to say, I use Interceptor. And yes, as long as all 6 of your dogs fall into the same weight category (e.g. 2-10 lbs.) you can give your dogs tabs from the same packet and buy more when you need it as long as your vet will allow you to do it that way, and I can't see why they wouldn't (it's a prescription medication, so they'd have to agree with how you're dosing your pups). For flea and tick protection on my little one, I use Frontline Spray. It's a VERY cost-effective way to protect her from those little buggers, and although she gets damp and tiny bit sticky for 30 min. or so, she doesn't stay greasy for days like she did with the Frontline drops. It's just as effective as the drops, but a lot cheaper because it's not packaged in individual packets. I pay $28 for a bottle that will last me well over a year--you do it once a month just like any other flea medication, and it's # sprays per lbs. (so, 3 sprays for a 3 lb. dog)--but I just spray her all over her torso and legs until she's damp (that's what my vet said to do). Interestingly, he said that it was originally marketed for children with head lice, so it's completely safe to use. Also, I just visited my dad's farm this past weekend, and I picked Bella up off my lap and noticed a tick crawling on my lap where she'd been laying. Apparently it's working if it stayede on my pants instead of attaching to her!! (I checked her over with a flea comb, and she's perfect!!)