As veterinarians, one of our goals is to prevent disease. This includes the prevention and control of external parasites such as fleas and internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year round parasite control to both keep your pet healthy and prevent the spread of disease to people (zoonotic disease). There are a variety of options for parasite control that can be tailored to meet the needs of your specific household and family lifestyle, and we will be glad to help you achieve this goal.
Recently a once a month pill to control both fleas and internal parasites in dogs has been brought to market. The product name is Trifexis. It is an excellent flea control product without any topical insecticide residue and its efficacy is not diminished by bathing or swimming. The flea control portion of this product has been sold as Comfortis; the other medical component being milbemycin which is the active ingredient in Interceptor. Milbemycin effectively controls roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms as well as being an excellent heartworm preventative. Both the medications in Trifexis have a documented history of safety and efficacy.
Trifexis is available by prescription at EVH now. A simple blood test for heartworm done at our office is required prior to starting your dog on this medication.
Another excellent product for parasite control that we carry is Revolution, an easy to apply monthly topical product for both dogs and cats. In addition to flea control, Revolution prevents heartworm, scabies, mites, and internal parasites (worms). As with Trifexis, Revolution is a prescription FDA product with an excellent safety index. It is absorbed so there is no pesticide residue on your pet. Healthy patients that have been examined within a year can pick up Revolution at our office, and there is no requirement for a heartworm test.
If you have any questions please call our office. We feel this is a real step forward in our attempt to control internal and external parasites in our client’s dogs and cats, and in so doing reduce the human health risks associated with these parasites. See the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) website for more information.
