Should I Use Sentinel AND a Flea Med? I'm so Confused!
 

Yazmin's been on Trifexis for quite some time now, actually since Novartis stopped making Interceptor. She's never experienced any of the side effects but with all the horror stories I've read lately, I'm constantly worried she might! :(
I've decided to switch to Sentinel for Heart worms but it says it contains an insect inhibitor, which breaks the flea life cycle by inhibiting flea egg development also.
So, my question is, will she still need flea meds also? I'd appreciate any advice because truthfully, I'm confused! :confused:

I'm sure Crystal will comment, she uses Sentinel and I believe she has written that she uses a topical flea and tick preventative as needed.

I found this relative to Sentinel:
"Its flea control effect relies on preventing flea eggs from hatching. However, it will not kill adult fleas directly so another preparation may be needed to them until Sentinel has zapped the eggs in the environment. "

Flea Control

I used Sentinel for years until I was spending way too much for the number of dogs I had. I love it and if I only had several dogs, I would continue to use it. No, you do NOT need to use anything in addition to the Sentinel....some may choose to, but I never did and it is not sold as needing additional flea protection. It kept my crew flea free with no problems and no additional meds.

Thanks Kristen, The information you provided helps. I don't want to take any chances of Yazmin being infested with fleas. I should have stated that she was using the topical, Vectra 3D while she was taking the Inceptor. I'll defiantly check out the link. I'm curious as to how Sentinel will zapp the eggs in the in environment also? :confused:

Thanks for replying Judy, that great to know. Yazmin's never had a flea, at least not that I'm aware of. I just thought of this, I think I'll do some research to see if there's possibly a safe flea repellant that I can use in my backyard.

I think Beyer (sp?) makes one....that spelling does not look right....

Thanks again Judy, I believe I just found it. I googled Beyer flea repellant and it came up with Bayer products.

Complete Brand Insect Killer For Soil & Turf | Bayer Advanced
Kills the most common lawn pests, including: Ants, Fleas, Ticks, European Crane Fly Larvae, Grubs, Mole Crickets and more

That made me scratch my head too. I think they meant on the dog's body, or surfaces the dog comes into contact with.

Hahaha! Thanks, that makes scents. I pictured little laser beams shooting off Yazmin's back! Lol :D

I am not sure what was meant by zapping fleas. All Sentinel does is prevent the fleas from reproducing so it does not actually kill the fleas. I use it for heartworms but IF I had fleas in my yard, I would probably use a topical flea preventative in addition to the Sentinel.


I use both Heartgard and Sentinel but I don't have fleas in my yard (don't have a clue why) so I don't worry about flea prevention.

About Sentinel:


Sentinel Frequently Asked Questions - Dog Products - Novartis Animal Health Canada

From that site:

I saw an adult flea on my dog after I gave him Sentinel, does this mean it's not working?
Sentinel does not kill adult fleas, so you may not immediately see how effective it is, but rest assured that adults currently on your pet will die off without reproducing. If you wish to take a more aggressive approach to killing the adults Novartis recommends treating your pet with an adulticide for the first month or so.

It's like birth control for fleas. Once they lay their eggs the adults die off. The eggs are infertile, so no new fleas hatch out. End of cycle.

We use Sentinel year-round and add the K9 advantix II when it gets warm out in the year. It's worked pretty well for us since we haven't had any flea issues. I just add the Advantix for the ticks, not so much for killing fleas although it's a plus.

sentinel + comfortis
or
sentinel + advantix
or
sentinel + frontline

not sure what to do if ticks are a problem...if frontline plus or advantix II is ok to use w/sentinel

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...vantix-ii.html

post #21
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...el-back-2.html

:thumbup:
There's my tick answer.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

That will depend on what is happening in your area/home.

The lufeneron in Sentinel is a chitin inhibitor. It does not kill fleas. It only makes them sterile. For a lot of people this is good enough.

I use Sentinel only. If I see a flea (never do), then Frontline or Advantage is applied. We don't have a tick problem here.

Thank you ladies, I appreciate everyone's advice along with the informative links. I believe I have a better understanding now of how Sentinel works.
Although I'd rather not use additional meds, Yazmin has taken Vectra 3D in the past for flea control and tolerated it very well.
I think I'll do a little more research on fleas to see if they're more prevalent in my area or not. This may be the key as to why some have to use additional flea meds and others don't. :confused:

I found this information today on using Sentinel and Vectra 3D for fleas.

So what products should I use?
At Animal Medical Hospital, we recommend Sentinel combined with Vectra 3D each month for dogs. Sentinel is an oral tablet that prevents heartworms and intestinal parasites and acts like a “flea birth control.” It does not kill adult fleas, but makes fleas sterile, which helps with population control. Vectra 3D is a topical liquid that kills adult fleas, kills and repels mosquitos and ticks. Both of these products in combination will protect your dog for 30 days.

sentinel Animal Medical Hospital Blog – Charlotte, NC

I made the mistake of using just sentinel and got fleas last year...and once I got them, it was horrible trying to get rid of them. My pups were never covered in fleas, but all it takes is one or two to drive them NUTS!!

I think they would jump on the boys outside and they'd bring them in and because the Sentinel doesn't kill the adult fleas, they would run around and bite the boys which would cause them to itch up a storm for a good week or so. In my case, even one sterilized flea is too many.

After I got fleas, I started using Frontline with the Sentinel and even THAT didn't get rid of the problem completely. I had to treat the yard and the house a few times. When I did use the frontline, I staggered it. I gave the Sentinel on the first and the Frontline on the 15th of the month.

From now on, I will most likely be using Sentinel in the winter and Revolution in the summer. If you are thinking about using Sentinel and your pup is highly allergic and annoyed by fleas or you are going to be in an area where fleas are prevalent, I'd suggest using something else with it during the summer months.

I live in the city and my pups are rarely in the grass, but somehow they kept picking up the little bugger. This year, I am going to treat the yard early and on a regular basis...but we go on walks usually twice a day in the summer, so they have plenty of other opportunities to pick up fleas. Hopefully, the revolution will do the trick. If not, I will probably try Sentinel with Advantix2 because I hear the Advantix2 actually repels the fleas in addition to killing them.

Lol
 

I like that description, now that's very understandable! Lol

Thank you ladies, I appreciate you making me aware that you not only give the Sentinel and the flea meds separately, but 2 weeks apart. Although I didn't consider this, it makes sense. I'd also be more aware if there were any side effects from just the Sentinel or if Yazmin's tolerating it well within that 2 weeks.

TxVickie, Thank you for the reminder. Yazmin had to eat a meal before taking the Trifexis but I wasn't sure if she needed eat before taking Sentinel.

Oh Boy! Just the thought of fleas crawling on my dog freaks me out! Although Yazmin's never had a flea, I can only imagine how your dogs must have felt! Poor babies, especially if their allergic to fleas, that has to miserable! I'm assume having fleas in your home has to be very annoying also! I'm so sorry you and your dogs had to go through this. :(

After much research, I found that fleas and especially ticks were a huge problem in my area last year! Now that I'm thinking more clearly, I also have to consider that during the summer, we go for walks a lot especially in public parks. I don't even allow Yazmin around other dogs for fear they might be carrying fleas! :eek:

Again, Thank you to everyone for your advice, it's truly appreciated. ;)

We just use heartgard for heartworm and intestinal parasites along with frontline for fleas and ticks. People criticize frontline and say it doesn't work but I have never had a flea or tick and I live in New England where we have a lot of ticks and Lyme issues. I've used it for 14 years now.

Wow! 14 years and to not have one flea or tick is remarkable! :thumbup: I hope for Yazmin's sake I'm that lucky! The thought of ticks or fleas on my baby makes my skin crawl! I've never used Frontline but I'll defiantly keep it in mind, Thank you! ;)

My little guy cant take trifexis, we tried it when he was about 9 mths and he threw it up. The vet said don't spend the money on trying it again. I was disappointed as he loves water and baths, so I didn't want to use topical. He said to use Sentinel for heartworm, worms and flea eggs-and its cheaper-and use Advantage for adult fleas, which I do when its warm...but I am not happy with this solution. I saw on TV the other day something new advertised - a chewable flea control, I thought it was from frontline. Now this might solve my problem, although frontline doesn't work as good in florida. Anyone know about this new flea control medicine?? ps: Bailey is almost 2 yrs old now. And no skin issues...what a blessing.

Aww...I'm so sorry to hear your little guy got sick from the Trifexis. Although Yazmin's not experienced any of the side effects, there's too many negative stories here on YT and on the news, Trifexis is beginning to terrify me. I'm not willing to keep taking chances with Yazmin's life! :( I've never been 100% comfortable with giving her Trifexis but she had a horrible reaction to Advantage Multi prior to this drug.

I've not seen anything advertised about a new chewable flea control. :confused: Maybe if you start a new thread asking others if their aware of this new product, you may get more replies.
I've used Vectra 3D for fleas in the past but I didn't mind that it was a topical. I've always applied it right after Yazmin's bath. She has baths weekly and fortunately I've never had a problem with fleas.

I want to wish you and Bailey good luck and I hope he does well on the Sentinel. Yazmin weighs 5lbs and will be taking her first dose in a few weeks. I'm nervous but I'm praying that all goes well for her too!;)