Trifexus...anyone use it?

[Cooper2010]

Great information.

Thanks again Wild Blue.

[Cooper2010]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

Trifexis is really effective for flea control. Like you mentioned, it's the protein in the saliva of a flea's bite that causes the allergic reaction. With Trifexis, the flea does not have to bite the pet to die or be repelled, making it an ideal product for pets with flea allergy.
Spinosad, the medication in the flea control part of Trifexis (and in Comfortis), is somewhat of a newer class of medication so there is not any reports (that I have heard or read) that fleas are becoming resistant to it.

Spinosad is actually a very interesting ingredient. It is a baterium that was discovered in the soil of sugar cane fields in the Caribbean. It is considered a natural product and approved for use in organic agriculture by numerous national and international certifications.
So calling Trifexis "poison" is not very accurate. If people want to compare here you go. The flea ingredient in Advantage products is Imidacloprid, a nuerotoxin and a true insecticide. The flea ingredient in Frontline products is Fipronil, a chemical that is broad-use insecticide and neurotoxin. Revolution? It has Selamectin, another chemical neurotoxin! So, again, do not let people scare you with words like "poison" because comparativly, Trifexis is the least toxic in terms of flea control and it's the only one with naturally derived ingredient.

By providing facts about things like the Trifexis rumors, my intentions were not to diminish or belittle other people's experiences, grief and loss. I do understand that kind of pain. The accusations are highly emotionally charged and anyone would want an answer to their pets illness and/or death, understandably so. It's easy to point fingers when your heart is looking for answers. It's easy for ill-researched and unfounded facts to start rumors that spread like wildfire. I know that Trifexis has had serious side effects for some pets but no more than any other products out there on the market.

Again, there is risk to medication and prevention but in general, Trifexis is a safe and ideal multi product, especially for pets with flea allergies

I thought I would add that Advantage and Frontline are the two medications specifically mentioned to me Saturday. The Dr. said they had noticed a significant decline in the effectiveness of those two products.

The only difference I'm noticing in him since Saturday is his hair appears to be oily. When I took him today for shots I asked about it and was told that it was probably from giving him too much fish oil that I'd gotten from them for his itchy skin. I'll back off of the amount I'm giving him. He also needs another teeth cleaning even though he had one 6 months ago. The little booger is getting expensive!

[Lovetodream88]

I know that when someone who works at vets office tells me it's bad and deaths have been linked to it that my dog will not be taking it.

[Cooper2010]

That is certainly your prerogative. If your dogs don't have a flea allergy they probably wouldn't need it.

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I know that when someone who works at vets office tells me it's bad and deaths have been linked to it that my dog will not be taking it.

[AniaR]

Any anti-flee medication is a poison. If it poisons flee, it also poisons dog, just at slower paste. It acumulates in the dog's body.

[Wild Blue]

I am not going to argue about it and make enemies. I am not trying to 'push' products on anyone either. In the end it is the owners responsibility to make educated and correct choices for their fur babies. That being said, I have previously stated FACTS. I would never want anyone's baby to get sick or die and the MAJORITY of the veterinary community feels the same way! If the majority of the cases were truly caused by Trifexis, the FDA would recall it. But in the majority of the cases, no necropsy was performed or no link was found between Trifexis and the death of the pet. The cause was totally unrelated and even then,some of the owners disregarded the proof and pointed blame anyway because they were so distraught.

I have done extensive research for two reasons. One: here in Florida we do not have a flea (or mosquito) season. It's all year round and prevention is sold all year long. We have a large amount of pets with flea allergies here. It's an on-going battle for some.

Two: I have a degree in bio-tech and I always research what I give my own pets. That, and I am a bio-geek Also, part of my job is client education. It is my responsibility to know what I am advising. That included the good and the bad with any product, food or vaccine, etc.

I said before. No product is without risk. You can even say that about the table food you give your dog, the walks you give your dog and even the commercial food you feed your dog. look at all the food and treat recalls! It ALL has risk but even with these routine activities, we weigh the risk with the benefit.

The very small risk associated with Trifexis does not outweigh the benefit it gives dogs who suffer from flea allergy. Anyone who has experienced this type of allergy in their cat or dog is well aware of the suffering the pet goes through! Inflamed skin, non-stop itching, skin odor, secondary bacterial staff infections, hair loss and even lethargy. It is miserable for them and it can all be prevented with a product like Trifexis. The treatment for severe reactions can include antibiotics and steroids. I think steroids pose a greater danger than these products and antibiotics can cause GI discomfort.
I said it before and here it is again. There have been a few dogs who have had reactions to such products including Trifexis but it is nothing abnormal or alarming when you compare the reactions to anything else you administer to your dog. To say "Trifexis kills dogs" is unfair and an uneducated statement. It's like saying "peanuts kill people" because a small amount have a reaction to them.

For every vet or tech who advises against Trifexis I can give you 50 who recommends it.

I found this quote from one of the MANY veterinarians who is also on a mission to debunk the rumors: "To date there have been 31 reported deaths associated with Trifexis out of 50 million doses dispensed in the United States alone. Some of these deaths may or may not have been caused by Trifexis. (see my comment about necropsy) While 31 deaths sounds like a terrible number, it is actually a very small percentage. There are most likely higher human death rates associated with aspirin or Tylenol. Extremely rare, deadly reactions can occur with any drug. "

[Wild Blue]

I said I wasn't going to argue but......the real definition of poison is:

"a substance that, when introduced into or absorbed by a living organism, causes death or injury, esp. one that kills by rapid action even in a small quantity"

But biologically speaking, ANY substance, if given in large enough amounts or incorrectly, is "poisonous".

By definition THEN, Trifexis is only "poisonous" to that VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE of pets who have had a reaction to it.

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by Cooper2010

Great information.

Thanks again Wild Blue.

You're welcome. Mine are all due for their dentals too. I don't even know why I get a paycheck, I just return it all right back to them in vet care. LOL

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by Toluca Pups

Wild Blue,

You are very knowledgable on Trifexus. Fascinating post, thank you.
Yes, as I said, my girls do very well on it.

Your welcome I have my ridgeback/lab mix on Trifexis because of flea allergy. She is allergic to everything it seems! I had my yorkies on Trifexis but switched them to Sentinel when it came back on the market because it is so much cheaper. They get bathed too much for the topical products.

I also have two cats on Comfortis (same flea med as Trifexis) for flea allergies.
That is seven pets who are/were on Trifexis with no problems.

[Princes mom]

Your post was very informative. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

I am not going to argue about it and make enemies. I am not trying to 'push' products on anyone either. In the end it is the owners responsibility to make educated and correct choices for their fur babies. That being said, I have previously stated FACTS. I would never want anyone's baby to get sick or die and the MAJORITY of the veterinary community feels the same way! If the majority of the cases were truly caused by Trifexis, the FDA would recall it. But in the majority of the cases, no necropsy was performed or no link was found between Trifexis and the death of the pet. The cause was totally unrelated and even then,some of the owners disregarded the proof and pointed blame anyway because they were so distraught.

I have done extensive research for two reasons. One: here in Florida we do not have a flea (or mosquito) season. It's all year round and prevention is sold all year long. We have a large amount of pets with flea allergies here. It's an on-going battle for some.

Two: I have a degree in bio-tech and I always research what I give my own pets. That, and I am a bio-geek Also, part of my job is client education. It is my responsibility to know what I am advising. That included the good and the bad with any product, food or vaccine, etc.

I said before. No product is without risk. You can even say that about the table food you give your dog, the walks you give your dog and even the commercial food you feed your dog. look at all the food and treat recalls! It ALL has risk but even with these routine activities, we weigh the risk with the benefit.

The very small risk associated with Trifexis does not outweigh the benefit it gives dogs who suffer from flea allergy. Anyone who has experienced this type of allergy in their cat or dog is well aware of the suffering the pet goes through! Inflamed skin, non-stop itching, skin odor, secondary bacterial staff infections, hair loss and even lethargy. It is miserable for them and it can all be prevented with a product like Trifexis. The treatment for severe reactions can include antibiotics and steroids. I think steroids pose a greater danger than these products and antibiotics can cause GI discomfort.
I said it before and here it is again. There have been a few dogs who have had reactions to such products including Trifexis but it is nothing abnormal or alarming when you compare the reactions to anything else you administer to your dog. To say "Trifexis kills dogs" is unfair and an uneducated statement. It's like saying "peanuts kill people" because a small amount have a reaction to them.

For every vet or tech who advises against Trifexis I can give you 50 who recommends it.

I found this quote from one of the MANY veterinarians who is also on a mission to debunk the rumors: "To date there have been 31 reported deaths associated with Trifexis out of 50 million doses dispensed in the United States alone. Some of these deaths may or may not have been caused by Trifexis. (see my comment about necropsy) While 31 deaths sounds like a terrible number, it is actually a very small percentage. There are most likely higher human death rates associated with aspirin or Tylenol. Extremely rare, deadly reactions can occur with any drug. "

[Lovetodream88]

Owners blame 700 dog deaths on Trifexis | www.wsbtv.com

[Lovetodream88]

The Heartworm Medication Trifexis Is Causing Dog Deaths | Dogs Naturally Magazine

[jp4m2]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

The Heartworm Medication Trifexis Is Causing Dog Deaths | Dogs Naturally Magazine

I have to agree with you on this on Taylor...... The fact is only about 1% of adverse reactions are ever reported, so this number is far worse than we know. The same thing happened with Proheart6 and with the chicken jerky. The FDA refused to do anything until the public started demanding they do something.The FDA has a terrible track record of pulling items off the market even when deaths are involved.

I don't understand why anyone would take such a risk with their pet when there are other alternatives available.

[Wild Blue]

From AVMA-The holy grail of veterinary standard along with AAHA

https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Pa...erinarian.aspx

" pathology/necropsy reports from an independent pathologist has determined that the cause of deaths were unrelated to the administration of Trifexis."

And from AAHA
NewStat | Independent pathologist shoots down media rumors concerning Trifexis

Proof is in the puddin'