An all-in-one race, tick and heartworm pill for dogs is a convenient way to protect your furry friend from several parasites at once.
But is a race and heartworm pill that also protects against ticks right for your dog?
This article will help you answer the important question.
Key dealers
- All-in-one-parasite prevention such as Simparica Trio, Nexgard Plus and Credelio Quattro offers comfortable monthly protection against heartworms, fleas, ticks and intestinal parasites.
- These combination pills are ideal for dogs at high risk of several parasites, but they are not suitable for all dogs, especially those with neurological problems.
- While these prevention simplifies parasite protection and can reduce the risk of missed doses, they do not cover any parasite and require a veterinary recipe.
- Always contact your veterinarian before starting an all-in-one prevention to ensure that it is suitable for your dog's health, lifestyle and risk factors.
What is an all-in-one heartworm, tick and flea prevention?
Most dogs benefit from all year round protection against several parasites.
Previously, pet parents were forced to give their dogs several treatments to provide extensive protection, but now all-in-one race, tick, and heartworm pills for dogs are readily available. Simparica Trio, Nexgard Plus and Credelleio Quattro are three good examples.
But while parasite prevention like these are very popular with pet parents, veterinarians do not recommend them for every dog.
Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of an all-in-one race, tick and heartworm pills for dogs.
Advantages
Combination races, ticks and heartworm pills offer some obvious (and some not so obvious) benefits of giving your dog several parasite prevention each month.
Benefits include:
-
Reduced risk of missed doses. Since these prevention are so easy to give, it is less likely that you will miss a dose and leave your dog unprotected against heartworms, fleas and ticks. And unlike certain current products, the protection cannot be washed.
-
More extensive protection. These all-in-one pills not only protect fleas, ticks and heartworms. They also protect against intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms (and, in the case of Credelio quattro, ribbon masks).
-
Expense. While these products look expensive at first glance, it may be cheaper to buy them than to buy all the different parasite prevention you need to provide a similar level of protection. And they are almost always more cost -effective than treating dogs for diseases caused by parasitic infections.
-
Less chance of drug interactions. Some types of parasite prevention can be dangerous when combined. By giving an all-in-one pill, you can safer providing your dog with wide spectrum parasite prevention.
Disadvantages
Like many other medications, all-in-one heartworm, race and fastening pills are not right for every dog ​​or every situation.
Some disadvantages include:
-
Unnecessary ingredients. Your dog may take medication they do not need. For example, if your dog is at a low risk of bandworms, they probably do not need bandworm prevention every month. Providing dog medication that they do not need can also increase the risk of parasites developing resistance.
-
Lack of complete protection. While these prevention is marketed as extensive protection, they do not kill all types of parasite that a dog can be exposed to (for example, whisk worms and ears mite). Pet parents must still follow their veterinary advice on parasite testing and treatment.
-
A recipe is needed. All-in-one heartworm, race and tick prevention are only available with a veterinary recipe.
Product options
Now let's take a closer look at three popular race, tick and heartworm pills for dogs.
Simparica trio chewable tablet for dogs
Simparica Trio combines the active ingredients sarolans (an isoxazolin), moxidectin and pyrantel.
Together, these medicines prevent heartworm disease, fleas, ticks, roundworms and hook worms.
The product is available as a monthly chewable tablet, given with or without food, and is available in six different doses based on a dog's weight.
Nexgard Plus Chewables for Dogs
Nexgard Plus contains Afoxolans (an isoxazolin), moxidectin and pyrantel to prevent heartworm disease, fleas, ticks, roundworms and hook worms.
The chew that is beef should be given every month (with or without food) and is available in five doses according to a dog's weight.
Credelio quattro chewables for dogs
Credelio Quattro is made with lotilans (an isoxazolin), moxidectin, pyrantel and praziquantel and protects against heartworm disease, fleas, ticks, roundworms, hook worms and ribbon masks.
This chewable tablet should be given every month with food, is safe for dogs with meat allergies and is available in four doses based on a dog's weight.
What you should ask your veterinarian
Talk to your veterinarian if you are interested in giving your dog a flea, tick and heartworm pill for dogs.
They will need to review your dog's health history, weight, age and parasitic factors and perform a physical examination before prescribing a combination prevention.
If your dog has had any neurological symptoms, such as seizures, shaking or unstability when you walk, your veterinarian will probably recommend against all products containing an isoxazolin drug.
But if your dog is healthy and with a significant risk of heartworms, fleas, ticks and intestinal worms, an all-in-one parasite prevention pill can be exactly what the doctor ordered.
All-in-one-race, tick and heartworm pills for a hundred questions
What is the best heartworm and flea pills for dogs?
No single product is best for each dog or in all situations. A dog's age, size, health and parasitic factors all record. Ask your veterinarian to find the right parasite prevention for your dog.
Can I give my dog ​​heartworm medicine and flea medicine together?
It depends. Some products are safe to use together, while others can cause problems, especially if your dog has an underlying health problem. Contact your veterinarian to determine if it is safe to give your dog their heartworm medicine and flea medicine together.
Do dogs really need heartworm pills?
Yes, dogs really need heartworm pills. Cardiac disease has been diagnosed in each condition. The treatment is expensive and not always successful, so prevention is crucial.
Does heartworm pills help with fleas?
Some parasite prevention can prevent both heartworms and fleas, but others do not. The product label should tell you exactly what the product does, but talk to your veterinarian if you have questions.
Is there a combined race and mesh tablet for dogs?
Simparica Trio, Nexgard Plus and Credelio Quattro are given orally to prevent heartworms, fleas, ticks, roundworms and hook worms. Credelio Quattro also prevents bandworms. Your veterinarian can tell if any of these products would be a good option for your dog.
How often do dogs need heartworm and flea medicine?
Most heartworms and flea prevention are intended to be given every month, but read the label or talk to your veterinarian to determine if it is true for the product you give your dog.
Some heartworm and flea prevention are given on another schedule.