Flea prevention
 

Trying to figure which flea preventative to use we have been using comfortis with good results. I recently was told about Program Plus. It is used for fleas, heart worm and intestinal worms. Our vet said if we wanted to try it we could. I don't like to use the topicals, Pistol had a BAD reaction to them two years ago. It was very scarey. After that our vet put him on comfortis and all has been good. Program Plus is supposed to take care of multiple parasites, and would be nice to only give one pill instead of one for fleas and one for heartworm. Has any one tried the Program Plus, and what did you think of it?

Program Plus has the same active ingredients as Sentinel (and both are made by Novartis Animal Health), and I have used Sentinel for years without any problems and with excellent results.

However, I'm surprised you can get it. I took my two in for their annual checkup and vaccinations this past Thursday, not knowing which direction I would go in for heartworm/flea preventative. I had been reading (mostly here) that the plant where Novartis makes Sentinel and Interceptor (along with some human meds, like Excedrine and gas-X) was shut down for inspection late last year. There is no estimate on when they will be back in production, and the vet tech said that there were rumors that they would never start up again. (Let me stress, she just said it was a rumor). When she went to check their supply, indeed they had some for the sizes of other dogs, but they were out in the size that I needed.

I ended up going with Trifexis, which is another that is a single monthly dose for heartworm, intestinal worms, and fleas.

The difference between Program Plus (or Sentinel) and Trifexis is that the active ingredient for flea control. The flea control ingredient for Program Plus (and Sentinel) is Lufenuron, and the flea control used in Trifexis is spinosad. Lufenuron controls fleas by not allowing eggs to hatch, disrupting the life cycle. Spinosad works by killing adult fleas.

I bought a six-month supply of Trifexis, and it was pricey (about $20 more for a six-month supply, per dog). Hopefully Novartis will get their plant problems straightened out and I can go back to the Sentinel when I am out of the Trifexis.

I wouldn't hesitate to use Program Plus or Sentinel if I could get it. If you vet still has it in stock, get a full year's supply.

I hear you re topicals, I don't want to go that way, either.

I am thinking about trying Comfortis, as mine have had reactions to the topical.

For those that use Comfortis have you ever had a problem with it?? They get Sentinel for Heart Worm Preventive.

What kind of reactions did your furbaby have with the topical? My boy used Comfortis for 3 months and had a reaction. He used it fine the first month but then had reactions the next two months so I switched him back to the topical stuff. I'm not sure why he didn't take the Comfortis well. It might have been that he weighed a little less than the med called for. Not sure but he has been fine with the topical stuff.

If you're giving Sentinel, you are already giving something for fleas. In all the years I used Sentinel, I never had a flea problem. I would be using it now if I could, the only reason I'm not is because of the shortage.

The thing with Sentinel is that it makes the flea sterile, but it doesn't kill them. So a flea can still get on them but won't produce eggs. How ever if they are given the topical or comfortis it will actually kill the flea.

As for the Sentinel my Vet didn't have any when I went buy each girl their 6 month supply. I was how ever able to order it from Dr. Foster's and Smith as they still a few in stock.

The reactions mine have had with the topical, is skin problems at the area applied and then very lethargic. My one keep running all over the place trying to get off and then just flopped over panting, she was that way for 3 day's, even after I washed the area at least 3 times. The product I used at that time was Front Line Plus.

There must be some difference between that and sentinel if it's sold in the US? Anyway, I like program and sentinel. It really depends on what exactly you want it to do.

Personally, comfortis is too new for me with a safety profile that I wonder about. So I won't use it.

This indicates that Program Plus and Sentinel is the same stuff, same manufacturer, what it's called just depends on the country in which it is sold: Sentinel | Program Plus

I'm a bit nervous about trying the Trifexis for the first time. I usually give the treatment on the first of every month, but my dad is having surgery that day and I'm likely to be away all day long. Since Feb is a short month anyway, I'll just wait until Mar 2nd so that I can watch them like a hawk.

This article reports on the problems at the Novartis plant: Read more: Most-recent FDA report sheds light on Novartis shutdown, recall

This sentence bothers me, because I hadn't heard this before: Last week, the company sent a letter to veterinarians alerting them that a prescription medication for dogs that's made at the Lincoln plant might also be contaminated.

So maybe I don't want anything made by Novartis anyway.

I thought Program Plus was an out of the country thing (replacement for Sentinel), but since OP is from PA?? Confusing.

I had stocked up on Interceptor and got a Sentinel when the shortage was reported. I think they are starting to manufacture some of these drugs again though? I'm not too concerned about contamination. Just trusting that Novartis will give out the info needed. I think they are still a very good company.

I'd be nervous too! I just won't give it. Not a fan. I'd watch all day as with any new med, but I don't think the big thing with Comfortis is an immediate reaction. One concern is what it can (possibly) do to liver enzymes which might take time to show up.