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It is recommended that all dogs and cats be placed on heartworm medication year round.  Due to travel south in the winter, it is recommended  that flea/tick applications be continued as well.  In the area of Cross Plains many dogs and cats venture through acres of grass, weeds, woods, and creeks.   This poses a problem as to what to use for protection of the family pet(s).  Some of the parasites encountered are zoonotic and can cause problems in the human family.   This is a summary of our recommendations for control of the parasites that maybe encountered. Hopefully it is helpful.

Species                    Heartworm/Internal parasites          Flea/Tick

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Cat - indoor           Revolution                                               Revolution

                              (City or Apartment dweller)

This combination would protect most indoor cats from heartworm, internal parasites, and external parasites. 

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 Cat -0utdoors        Revolution/Centragard/Profender     Revolution/Bravecto 

                              (Farm cats and eat wildlife)

This combination would protect the outdoor roamer from heartworm and internal parasites.  Every 3 months the cat can be dewormed for tapeworms included in the coverage of centragard or profender.  Bravecto could take the place of revolution for fleas and ticks being applied once every 2 months. Centragard/Bravecto  could take the place of revolution especially since tapeworms are dewormed for. 

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Dog -indoor        Simparica Trio                                       Simparica  Trio

                            (City, Apartment, minimal contact)

Simparica Trio protects against heartworm, internal parasites, and flea + tick concerns.  It is a single pill . If the dog does not roam then Simparica would be a good choice.  The cost would be reduced since only a single purchase covers both internal and external parasites. Caution for those who have or may have seizures.  Although rare , it is a concern.  Discontinuing the medication resolves the problem. 

Bravecto has the same concern as well.  In the years that this product has been used there has been two incidents that demanded discontinuation with our patients. 

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Dog - Outdoor      Interceptor plus / Simparica Trio    Seresto Collar/Bravecto

                            (Hunting, Farm, Dog parks, State/County parks)

For dogs that roam and eat foreign items outside Simparica is still a good choice but it does not address tapeworms or whipworms.  These parasites are more common in dog parks,  farm and woods where other creatures roam.  Bravecto given every 3 months takes care of fleas and ticks and we have had good response from it. It  is an oral pill.  Seresto collar is good for fleas and ticks. It has been used successfully for several years to repel ticks in the hunting and out and about dog.  It is convenient.  They can swim with it.  We have not seen any significant break throughs in tick infestation.  Interceptor does protect against heartworm, internal parasites including tapeworms and whipworms.  It is more broad spectrum.  It could be used every 3 months as well to deworm for the not covered internal parasites of simparica trio.   Simparica trio does have more immediate heartworm protection meaning only one dose needs to be taken to have a high percent of elimination of  immature heartworm.  Interceptor plus takes several months.  

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Rescue dogs

Simparica trio is ideal for those rescue dogs from the south.  It has the immediate kill of immature heartworms and protects development immediately in those dogs that test negative prior to transport.  There have recently been dogs that have tested negative, put on other heartworm medication as recommended  and then test positive 3-6 months later.  In the meantime these dogs have developed adult heartworms and have heartworm disease affecting the heart.   The treatment for adult heartworms is a long process and expensive.  Simparica trio maybe an option. 

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Bravecto - use is for fleas and ticks . Given every 3 months orally for dogs and topically every 2 months for cats. CAUTION -SEIZURE POTENTIAL

Seresto collar - collar placed on dog (or cat) and lasts 8 months; treats fleas and ticks.

CAUTION -LOCAL IRRITATION TO NECK

Revolution -  treats heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, ear mites, fleas, ticks.  Topical application monthly. CAUTION -LOCAL IRRITATION

Profender  - treats tapeworms, hookworms, and roundworms  . Topical application  monthly to every 3 months   CAUTION - LOCAL IRRITATION

Centragard - treats heartworm, tapesworm, roundworm hookworm.  Topical application monthly or every 3 months

Interceptor plus - heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms.  Oral tablet. CAUTION - GI UPSET ; LAG PERIOD OF 3 MO IF BREAK IN USE

Simparia trio - heartworms, roundworms , hookworms, fleas, and ticks . Oral monthly tablet. CAUTION - SEIZURE POTENTIAL  IF EPILEPTIC OR PRONE TO SEIZURES

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Centragard and Revolution treat heartworm in cats.

Profender and Centragard can be  given every 3 months  year round for outdoor cats

Bravecto is an alternative for cats for fleas and ticks since it lasts 2 month while revolution lasts 1 month.  It is topical. 

Simparica trio takes care of flea/ticks, is an oral tablet, covers roundworms and hookworms, It has moxidectin that recently has been found to provide more immediate kill for heartworms.   Drawback is it has and can cause seizures in epileptic dogs or breeds prone to seizures or without warning. It is given monthly orally so it is systemic. 

Interceptor plus treats heartworm, roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworms. This is important for the field dog or farm dog due to exposure. Potentially treatment every 3 months year round would be suggested  if using another product for heartworm yearround. Oral pill given monthly if given for deworming and heartworm. 

Seresto collar - treats fleas and ticks. It has worked well in this area, Is waterproof and only has to  be changed every 8 months. It is convenient for those dogs that are very active. 

Revolution is important because it protects from fleas, ticks and ear mites in the outdoor cat.   

As more and more products are made available , the choice is endless. It has become more about lifestyle of the pet than one product fits all.