Vets and Dog people - flea/tick & parasite meds?

[masraum]

What meds to you give your dogs for heartworms, other worms and fleas and ticks?

We've been using Trifexis which does all of the above, but I think we've been paying about 50/mo for both dogs which is not cheap. Trifexis seems to work really well, but if there's something else that works as well, but is less expensive, we'd love to hear about it.

I just checked, and the various online dog med places seem to have it about 33% cheaper than we've been paying. The missus likes to support local business so we usually buy it from our vet, but $210 vs $300 for 6mo is a big difference.

[Tobra]

pretty sure trifexis is the cat's ass for this stuff

I will ask the wife when she wakes up at the crack of 10 AM tomorrow, I think there are two different meds that do the same thing, but it is maybe not any cheaper

[dan79brooklyn]

We have two golden retrievers we give them two medicines. One is for heart worm, it's edible. The other is Bayer K9 Advantix which is for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. The Bayer is applied to their coat.

Doesn't sound like Trifexis keeps off ticks?

[Googam]

After we moved to GA, we discovered the fleas were much more ferocious & prevalent than up North. We always used K9 Advantix Plus (for heartworm too), but it wasn't doing the job. Use to be they got bit & the fleas died. Now they were bringing them in the house w/them & infected the indoor cats. Switched to Bravecto tablets. 1 pill every 3 months. $50/each. Haven't seen a flea since.

[Chocaholic]

We use the advantic collars for our 3 inside dogs and they work great. For heartworm, we use Ivomectin injectable (for cattle) and put 3 drops in their food monthly. We have three large dogs and our mastiff breeder recommended this...surprisingly our vet agreed.

Cost is minimal, about $45 for probably a 5 year supply. Look at the active ingredient in your heartworm tablets. Ivomectin. We buy ours at tractor supply. Been using it for years.

[dan79brooklyn]

Originally Posted by Googam

After we moved to GA, we discovered the fleas were much more ferocious & prevalent than up North. We always used K9 Advantix Plus (for heartworm too), but it wasn't doing the job. Use to be they got bit & the fleas died. Now they were bringing them in the house w/them & infected the indoor cats. Switched to Bravecto tablets. 1 pill every 3 months. $50/each. Haven't seen a flea since.

I only see K9 Advantix II. Which only says repels mosquitoes, doesn't prevent heart worm. Therefore we decided to give two medicines. I think the edible one is heartgard.

Please prove me wrong though. I debated for a long time if we could just give them the Bayer and skip the heart worm medicine.

[id10t]

Once a month trifexis (spelling?) - does it all. Works well.

[rcecale]

I've had my boy, Beau, on Trifexis from day 1. Haven't seen a flea or tick one time. He get's a little drowsy after he takes it, but other than that, no side affects at all.

Randy

[Googam]

Correction...Advantage Multi
https://www.1800petmeds.com/productw.jsp?id=prod10945&sku=10944&AFFID=GG&ID=3206737018&product_id=10944&adpos=1o1&creative=193819884140&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiMa0mYux1QIVAZJpCh02lgFiEAYYASAB EgIQD_D_BwE

[masraum]

Thanks all. Trifexis seems to be the winner. I guess we'll either have to commit to "support local brick and mortar" or go online to save a few bucks.

[dan79brooklyn]

Originally Posted by Googam

Correction...Advantage Multi
https://www.1800petmeds.com/productw.jsp?id=prod10945&sku=10944&AFFID=GG&ID=3206737018&product_id=10944&adpos=1o1&creative=193819884140&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiMa0mYux1QIVAZJpCh02lgFiEAYYASAB EgIQD_D_BwE

Doesn't protect against ticks though.

[Tobra]

Heartworm is far more preh toovalent in the sout

[stealthn]

We always used revolution, works for 1 month, topical (back of neck) and never had any side affects

[Baz]

Originally Posted by masraum

---snip---I just checked, and the various online dog med places seem to have it about 33% cheaper than we've been paying. The missus likes to support local business so we usually buy it from our vet, but $210 vs $300 for 6mo is a big difference.

Steve, You could always ask your vet if they are able to match the online price.

Please note...I used the word "able". This is much more respectful than just saying "can" you match this price.

A minor distinction that might be lost on some, nevertheless, I would always want to present any situation that revolves around business dealings in a respectful context, regardless of other perceptions.

In most cases....a vet already charges you for office visits and treatments and while meds do make up part of their compensation, there should be enough margin in them to allow flexibility and still reap some profit for the vet. All you are doing is asking them if they have that flexibility and if so would they like to keep your business. In essence...giving them first right of refusal.

If you decide to go this route, bring with you (or have handy if communicating by phone of email) the exact information from the online source including business name, pricing (including shipping and taxes if applicable), and dosage info on med (including trade name, active ingredient, % strength, form it comes in, and quantity).

In doing all of the above you are making it easy for your vet to make a decision.

Depending on your relationship with your vet (and their staff) this might also carry over into how other situations are handled that involve competitive pricing on apples to apples products and services.

The most important aspect to keep in mind is you want your vet to have all of your business. Make sure he understands this. But you are not made of gold (who is?) and are just trying to be respectful of your household and family member health and well being budget.

[Baz]

We don't really have a problem with fleas and ticks - I use a flea comb on my outside kiddles but they generally stay pretty clean - and this is been going on for 12 years now.

My pups who are generally inside most of the time also do not have flea or tick issues but I keep a container of this to use periodically when they do get some - easy to control and I don't have to worry about side effects from taking something internally.

[john70t]

I personally don't like the idea:
Of giving a dog a pill..
Which changes the dog's entire internal body chemistry..
To kill an insect on its skin..
-Change the dog to change the flea.-

That kind of thinking does not seem logical.
And $50/pill, here and there, or everyday on the hour? What is your price point?

There are natural bug preventives such as lavender sprays you can make at home.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by john70t

I personally don't like the idea:
Of giving a dog a pill..
Which changes the dog's entire internal body chemistry..
To kill an insect on its skin..
-Change the dog to change the flea.-

That kind of thinking does not seem logical.
And $50/pill, here and there, or everyday on the hour? What is your price point?

There are natural bug preventives such as lavender sprays you can make at home.

You change your tune fast when your dog gets Lyme.
Even my wife - who is little miss organic everything - uses Frobtline on the dogs.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by john70t

I personally don't like the idea:
Of giving a dog a pill..
Which changes the dog's entire internal body chemistry..
To kill an insect on its skin..
-Change the dog to change the flea.-

That kind of thinking does not seem logical.
And $50/pill, here and there, or everyday on the hour? What is your price point?

There are natural bug preventives such as lavender sprays you can make at home.

Yeah, when I'm out back and the mosquitoes are bad, I'll dose both myself and the dog wtih Vick's VapoRub... works great as a repellent.

But Trifexis is once a month, and protects against what happens when an infected insect does bite. And even the best repellents aren't 100%.

Dog doesn't get heart worm, neither dog nor cat are scratching at themselves, we don't get bit by fleas.