What Are Chewable Flea And Tick Preventives
There are three drugs in the category of chewable flea and tick preventives: Nexgard, Bravecto and Simparica.
Nexgard and Bravecto were approved in the US in late 2013 and early 2014. Simparica came out in March 2016.
The dosing schedules are once a month for Nexgard and Simparica and once every three months for Bravecto.
How Oral Flea And Tick Preventives Work
These flea treatments are oral medications. The drugs come in a soft chew that your dog can eat like a treat. After your dog takes the chew, the drugs circulate in the blood, and when a flea or tick bites your dog, its exposed to the chemical. This will kill fleas and ticks.
All three drugs are pesticides that work by attacking the nervous system of the fleas and ticks, causing death. The excerpts below from the manufacturers Prescribing Information explain the mode of action of these drugs
Nexgard
Afoxolaner is a member of the isoxazoline family, shown to bind at a binding site to inhibit insect and acarine ligand-gated chloride channels, in particular those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid , thereby blocking pre- and post-synaptic transfer of chloride ions across cell membranes. Prolonged afoxolaner-induced hyperexcitation results in uncontrolled activity of the central nervous system and death of insects and acarines.
Bravecto
Simparica
That means once your dog takes one of these drugs, if she has any side effects, you cant remove the drug from her body.
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Revolution is extremely effective in keeping cats safe from adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, as well as heartworm, intestinal worms and other nasties.
Revolution is not a scheduled poison and is approved for use with kittens and puppies as young as 6 weeks old, as well as pregnant and lactating females.
This collar is safe for a pregnant/nursing dog and her pups. However kittens and puppies should be at least 8 weeks of age before applying this product. Do you get Seresto collars directly from Bayer?
What Adverse Drug Event Reports Say
Dog owners often ask, What is the safest flea and tick prevention for dogs? Well, its not these chewable drugs.
Every drug has side effects and so we wanted to review the Adverse Drug Event Reports submitted to the FDA. But the FDA has made it near-impossible to find these ADE reports on their database. Luckily, thanks to veterinarian Dr Elizabeth Carney, we were able to find some information.
Back in November 2014, when Nexgard and Bravecto were first introduced, Dr Carney wrote about the new chewable drugs on her blog. And then she started receiving comments from people whose dogs were already experiencing side effects after taking these preventives. She wanted to find out more. So she filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain the reports and received a number of ADEs for Nexgard and Bravecto. Dr Carney has generously made these reports available on her website.
ADE Reports For Nexgard And Bravecto
There are specific ADE reports for Nexgard and Bravecto for the period January through March 2016. The results are very similar for both drugs. Dr Carney didnt get any reports for Simparica as it was too new at the time.
Vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea are the most common side effects reported. Seizures are quite high on both lists, with 22 each for both Nexgard and Bravecto for the first quarter of 2016. Nine deaths are reported for each drug for the same period. For Nexgard, five of the nine deaths were by euthanasia.
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Treatment Of Scabies In Dogs
The clinical signs of sarcoptic mange include hair loss in dogs, as well as papules, pruritus, erythema, scaling and crusting. Sarcoptes scabieiis one of the most common mites infesting dogs today. It results in severe pruritus, and can lead to secondary bacterial pyoderma. Scabies is highly contagious, and is zoonotic, as well.
A 2016 published study tested the efficacy of the novel isoxazoline, Sarolaner in dogs with clinical signs that were consistent with sarcoptic mange and harboring natural infestations of Sarcoptes Scabei. The study concluded that:
Sarolaner was safe, achieved 100% reduction in the numbers of S. scabiei detected and resulted in in dogs following two monthly oral administrations.
The study stated that with a monthly dosing schedule,
sarolaner could provide a very convenient and effective treatment option for dogs suffering from mite infestations.
The study also evaluated whether two monthly doses of Sarolaner for the treatment of sarcoptic mange in dogs would work, and as to how safe two monthly doses were. The study surmised the following:
Seventy-seven percent of sarolaner-treated dogs were free of mites on Day 14, 100% were mite-fee on days 30 and 60, and only one live mite was found on a single sarolaner-treated dog on Day 44 . The percentages of dogs with live mites in the placebo group on days 14, 30, 44 and 60 were 52.4, 35.0%, 36.8 and 38.9%, respectively.
Additional studies . . .
The study deduced that:
Simparica Flea And Tick Medicine
Simparica flea and tick medicine are proven to be 96.9 percent effective at killing fleas and ticks in dogs, and it starts working in three to eight hours after the first tablet. If your dog has a flea infestation, the medication will kill the existing fleas and prevent new infestations on your pet. If your home has an infestation, you can expect this flea and tick medication to kill 95 percent of the fleas within 14 days and 100 percent of the fleas within 60 to 90 days. This is because as the fleas jump on your dog, they are killed by the medicine.
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Caring For A Pregnant Dog
Caring for a pregnant dog has many challenges, but in the end, it is all worth the extra effort.
Hopefully, you were able to get your dog examined by a veterinarian and updated all vaccinations before the pregnancy. This can be vital protection against many diseases from being passed down to the puppies. Intestinal parasites can also be transmitted from mom to the puppies, so it is very important to have your dog checked and dewormed if any are present before the pregnancy. Monthly heartworm preventatives should be continued during the pregnancy. This will protect the mom against heartworms and some other parasites. It is very important to prevent fleas and ticks from spreading disease to your pregnant dog, but topical preventatives are not recommended to be used on pregnant pets. However, you can use premise sprays in the home and yard to control fleas and ticks.
Make sure there is an insect growth regulator like methoprene in the product so an infestation in the home can be prevented. Once mom has given birth, you can start to apply the topical product on her again. It is not recommended to apply anything to the newborn puppies, but by protecting mom and the environment, you will help protect them as well.
Schedule a vet visit 4-5 weeks into the pregnancy so mom can be examined and an ultrasound can be done to make sure mom and all the puppies are Healthy and Happy.
Make sure to visit our puppy center for great information on your puppies health.
Is Flea And Tick Medicine Safe For Pregnant Dogs
- Here are some common drugs that are safe for use in pregnant dogs: Thryoxine, used to treat hypothyroidism in dogs. Selemectin, the flea, tick and worm preventative branded as Revolution. Psyllium , an ingredient in Metamucil . Fipronil , the active ingredient in Frontline spot-on flea and tick preventative
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9 other answers
Frontline is a very popular flea and tick treatment that is similar to Advantix. It treats and prevents fleas for 1 month and ticks for 2 weeks. Like Advantix, it is a topical treatment that is safe for your pregnant dogs. For price, a pack of 3 doses starts around 35USD, which makes it another cost effective treatment for kennels.
Pregnant dogs can take most flea and tick medicine without an issue. For example, the most common flea and tick medicine for dogs have both been tested and proven to be safe for pregnant dogs. Both these flea and tick medicines have licenses to be sold and used on pregnant dogs.
Frontline and Revolution both have labels that say they are safe to use in pregnant animals. Advantage is believed to be safe for pregnant animals but it is not on the label that it is.
Cedarwood chips inside pet beds and in the garden will repel fleas. Flea combs work great for dogs and puppies. Comb daily to remove fleas and flea dirt. Bathing a pup in mild baby shampoo or using a water dip helpsjust make sure to dry the pups and prevent them from chilling.
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See The Simparica Trio Difference
Compare the labels of other products with Simparica Trio
* by killing deer ticksHeartgard® and NexGard® are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. 8,9Credelio®, Interceptor®, and Trifexis® are registered trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. 10,11,12Bravecto® is a registered trademark of Intervet Inc. d/b/a Merck Animal Health.13
Just One Simparica Trio Chewable Offers Protection From Roundworms And Hookworms
Pyrantel protects against intestinal parasites
In clinical studies, Simparica Trio was 99.2% effective for adult roundworm and reduction in fecal egg count5
Demonstrated > 94% efficacy for hookworm, in studies4
Also effective against immature adult stage of T. canis.6For L4, immature adult, and adult Ancylostoma caninum and adult Uncinaria stenocephala.
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Final Thoughts On Giving Dogs Simparica
As of late, there are not many publications as to the toxicity of Sarolaner on the environment, or on pets. So far there have been 7 deaths related to Sarolaner.
That said, dog parents need to keep in mind that this drug remains in your dogs bloodstream for an extended period and there are plenty of other options when it comes to flea and tick control, like natural flea and tick products with essential oils.
Feeding your dog a raw, whole food diet can also be beneficial. As usual, before opting for any flea and tick medications, consult with your veterinarian for the safest and healthiest options for flea and tick control!
Looking for other dog meds?
Side Effects Of Simparica
Let us now look at possible side effects when administering Simparica. Things like:
- Bloody Diarrhea
- Inappetance
In a margin of safety study, Simparica was administered orally to 8-week old Beagle puppies at doses of 0, 1, 3, and 5 times the maximum exposure dose of 4 mg/kg at 28-day intervals for 10 doses. No adverse effects were observed at the maximum exposure dose of 4 mg/kg.
In the overdose groups, transient and self-limiting neurological signs were observed in some animals: mild tremors at 3 times the maximum exposure dose and convulsions at 5 times the maximum exposure dose. All dogs recovered without treatment.
Sarolaner becomes highly bound to plasma proteins, and may compete with other highly bound substances like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , and the cumarin derivative of Warfarin
Missed doses of simparica
Consult with your veterinarian as to the correct dosing schedule. Never double up on doses.
Simparica overdose
- There is no antidote for sarolaner poisoning.
- Treatment consists of preventing further exposure together with supportive and symptomatic measures.
- After accidental ingestion, stomach lavage, as well as the administration of active charcoal administration, and laxatives may be advisable by your veterinarian.
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Is Bravecto Safe For Dogs
What Dog Owners Say About Chewable Flea and Tick PreventivesFacebook is another source of information about the side effects of these chewable drugs. These group pages contain many tragic stories from dog owners who believe their dogs have been harmed by these pest preventives.
Some of these groups have tens of thousands of members so the risks are real!
Some of the posts are fascinating as well as alarming. One poster reports finding dead ticks on her dog as long as 12 months after his last dose of Bravecto suggesting thats how long it stays in your dogs bloodstream!
So again, a reminder that if your dog experiences an adverse effect you cant just stop using it and expect your dog to return to normal!
Is Simparica Safe For Dogs
Simparica hasnt been out as long so theres less information. But the drug works just like Bravecto and Nexgard it destroys flea and tick nervous systems. So its very likely that the adverse effects of this chewable drug are similar to the other two drugs.
The manufacturers website provides this warning
Simparica may cause neurologic signs such as tremors, unsteadiness and/or seizures in dogs with or without a history of neurologic disorders.
If you want to see the kind of effect Simparica can have on your dog, . Be warned, though the video is horrifying to watch. It shows a dog having a really long seizure after taking Simparica. This poor dog died a few months later because of his seizures.
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Vets Agree These Drugs Arent SafeDr Carney, who obtained these reports from the FDA, told us that she has personally decided not to use these chewable drugs for her own dog, nor will she prescribe them to her clients.Many other holistic vets are speaking out about the dangers of these long-lasting preventive products too. Check out this Facebook post by Dr Josie Beug:
Please dont sacrifice your dogs health for these convenient chewable options. Its a really dangerous trade-off.
START MAKING YOUR OWN DOG FOOD TODAY
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Keep Dogs Protected From Ticks And Fleas
It only takes one infected tick to spread disease. Ticks are responsible for transmitting at least 15 different serious diseases to dogs, including Lyme disease, and are active throughout the year.8
Flea infestations may take several months to resolve, are frustrating, and can be costly. Flea allergy dermatitis can result in symptoms for dogs.*
*Symptoms can include erythema, papules, scaling, alopecia, dermatitis/pyodermatitis, and pruritus.
Tips When Using Simparica
Simparica should be given monthly however one of the huge benefits of Simparica is it is proven to be effective for 35 days. So that gives you a little lee way if you forget to give it on the exact day each month.
Simparica is safe and can be used in puppies from 8 weeks of age and from 1.3kg – please note that 8 week old puppies that are not 1.3kg should not use Simparica
Simparica is safe and effective for any breed of dog when used as directed. Simparica is well tolerated in Collies with a deficient multidrug-resistant-protein following single oral administration at 3 times the recommended dose.
Simparica may be used in combination with other routine veterinary medications, including heartworm preventatives, gastrointestinal wormers and vaccinations. However it is always best to speak to your veterinarian about your dogs individual care.
Simparica has not been evaluated for use in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs. Do not use on breeding, pregnant or lactating bitches or dogs as the safety studies have not been done. Simparica is only registered for dogs so not use for any other animal
Simparica comes in a range of sizes and packs for all weight ranges
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What To Do If A Pregnant Dog Gets Dirty
It should be fine to bathe a pregnant dog unless they are subject to the above restrictions. We must make an effort to ensure that they are not in a position where they get very dirty, especially in the days leading up to their delivery.
However, there may be times when the dog gets dirty, such as after an unexpected rain on a walk. This situation can be aggravated in long-haired dogs. If they get stressed during the bath, we must find other ways to clean them. It may be sufficient to use wipes suitable for pregnant dogs or even wipe them with a clean damp towel.
Pregnancy is not a reason to stop caring for our dog. We still need to keep brushing her regularly and make sure her coat is well maintained. If they get too stressed out going to a hairdresser, we should do it at home or wait until after pregnancy for more complicated grooming practices.
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