Revolution, Interceptor, Sentinel....

[groupieindenial]

Okay, sorry to bring this up once again. I am trying to decide if keeping Vegas on Revolution is worth the 3x costs versus other products. I thought it did what other products did and more, but I think I understood wrong. Can you guys clarify what I'm finding?

So Revolution claims to tackle ear mites, sarcoptic mange, ticks and heartworms. SO I research exactly what kind of worms, and it does not claim to kill roundworms, hookworms, nor whipworms. WHAT????

Check the chart http://www.revolution4dogs.com/conte...ies=CN&sec=130

Interceptor and Sentinel seem to do the same, kill hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms with the exception that Sentinel has flea control.

So my guess, is that Interceptor may be the best option (and use the Advantix for ticks mosquitos and flea). Problem, I can't get Advantix here in Canada.

OR the Sentinel and only use the Preventic collar.

So if I opt not to use Revolution anymore, how important is choosing to prevent hookworms, roundworms, and whipworm prevention, over what Rev protects like ear mites, and mange? (isnt mange caused by ticks?)

Sorry guys, but I'm taking Vegas in for neutering tomorrow, and I am ordering the HW meds on the online pharmacy (WAYYY Cheaper) and they offer more brands than my vet does. I just need to decide what prescription I want.

[Patty1231]

All I can say is our breeder and vet both recommeded Interceptor. The only one the breeder said NOT to use, was Revolution. We use Interceptor.

[brunie's mom]

Not sure why you are so worried about worms and mites, ticks ,etc??
I have had dogs for over 30 years and never had hook, whip or roundworms or mites.
Honestly my thing now is the less chemicals the better. All of this crap we are putting in/on our dogs is not making them healthy.
If you don't have a problem with worms or mites...why do you need chemicals to kill them???

Where I am located in Ontario, I have never seen a tick, we do not have fleas around here either...nore do my dogs get worms.

I have my dogs on Heargard (plain), even though we have almost no chance of HW in this area (2 cases in about 100 mile square area), and I buy a 6 pack of Atvantage for fleas from the vet and will keep it on hand. If I see any unusual biting or scratching during the summer I will give them a treatment. That's it.
The only time that it pays to live in a colder climate....

Gina

[groupieindenial]

Well, I don't think chancing that risk to not protect for HW is worth it. The last results the OVC lists (2002) is alarming to say the least. Brantford is only 20 minutes from me, and they had 26 cases reported, who knows how many more that don't make the records. My vet also said there arent ticks in the area, the last I heard the Simcoe area, Lake Erie area is infested. Hmmm..that is only a few hours from me. It's all too close for comfort. There are people on this baord, from PA, and ticks ARE a problem, once again PA is not that far. If your defense or reasoning is that it has never happened to you, that is being quite naive. But then again, thats why I'm on here asking. I want to know WHAT should I be more concerned about?

WHat are the difference between whipworms, roundworms, hookworms etc.... their all parasites that can be picked up all sorts of ways. Try looking up parasites and worms, both for canines and people. I tell ya, thats just stuff you just DON'T want to know..."na na na na na, bla bla bla bla" for real. I wished I didn't read it.

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

WHat are the difference between whipworms, roundworms, hookworms etc.... their all parasites that can be picked up all sorts of ways. Try looking up parasites and worms, both for canines and people. I tell ya, thats just stuff you just DON'T want to know..."na na na na na, bla bla bla bla" for real. I wished I didn't read it.

It was explained to me that Interceptor also kills other worms besides heartworm. That's a real good reason for me to use it because Rocco is a dirt eater. I've never had any problems whatsoever with worms.

[dmoniz]

I use sentile, yes it is interceptor with flea control. I won't kill the fleas or keep them off your pet though, it just keeps them from reproducing. Because of this, I would not recommend it for use on a dog with flea allergies, it won't help.

[groupieindenial]

The link for the Safeheart dosing on the FDA site no longer works. Are some of you (Frontie, BostonRott) still doing this? Well, I'll ask my vet, but I'm sure she's going to push for the Revolution once again. We went over the pros last year, and I doubt her opinion has changed.

If some older types of HW meds are beleived not be as effective as newer products, than how does low dosing work to be effective?

Well, I'm off for the day, and Vegas is due in first thing tomorrow am. *sigh* not sure what to do.

[chivas]

I am with Gina 100%. With the increase of cancer in our pets (and in people), why use more chemicals then necessary??? I am a FIRM believer in "if it aint broke, dont fix it." I use plain heartgard too and have frontline on hand if i see fleas, it can last for up to 3 months, (also can help with ticks, not a big problem here by the ocean). Ive lost 2 unrelated dogs to OS, I gave them EVERYTHING the vets suggested for yrs .. from mulitiple vaccinations yearly to the combo flea/heartworm,mosquitos etc meds. Connection between their cancer and the overuse of chemicals??? I dont know - would i take a chance again??? NEVER! And btw, before all those naysayers start up, I have a 17 yr old dog who hasnt gotten a vaccination in 7 yrs, gets plain heartgard every 6 weeks ONLY in the warm months, and frontline MAYBE 2x a yr. Coincedence?? Maybe, maybe not.

[MARYDVM]

Revolution had its product description changed awhile ago from "kills ticks" to "aids in the control of ticks" because it is not effective for the full 30 days. If ticks are a concern,a different product would be better.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

Well, I don't think chancing that risk to not protect for HW is worth it. The last results the OVC lists (2002) is alarming to say the least. Brantford is only 20 minutes from me, and they had 26 cases reported, who knows how many more that don't make the records. My vet also said there arent ticks in the area, the last I heard the Simcoe area, Lake Erie area is infested. Hmmm..that is only a few hours from me. It's all too close for comfort. There are people on this baord, from PA, and ticks ARE a problem, once again PA is not that far. If your defense or reasoning is that it has never happened to you, that is being quite naive. But then again, thats why I'm on here asking. I want to know WHAT should I be more concerned about?

WHat are the difference between whipworms, roundworms, hookworms etc.... their all parasites that can be picked up all sorts of ways. Try looking up parasites and worms, both for canines and people. I tell ya, thats just stuff you just DON'T want to know..."na na na na na, bla bla bla bla" for real. I wished I didn't read it.

If your own vet says there is no problem with ticks in your area, then I would not worry about it. I think many of the problems people have with their dogs here on the forum are more in the U.S. because of the warmer climate. We get freezing cold winters for many months of the year and don't seem to have all of the worm, mite or tick problems. I fostered almost 40 dogs for rescue and I think only one had worms, and that was roundworms. All of the dogs had a fecal done before they were adopted out.
If your dog goes to a dog park and is walking through feces or eats other dog feces then you should worry more about worms.
Like I said I have never had a dog with worms and always take in a fecal for the annual exam.

I don't understand why a cocktail of chemicals must be given to the dog, even though there is a very tiny chance that he may get worms or mites or fleas. I agree with giving HW preventative, but I think the Heartgard has been around forever and has the least side affects of all of the HW preventatives.

I only use what I must on my dogs.

Gina

[targonrotts]

i use heartgard plus.
heartworms are an issue in florida,so we do it year round.the plus in it aids in the control of internal parasites,which, with us that especially frequent shows,dog places,etc,is a great help.
if we are at a time of ticks and fleas, i use frontline plus.
preventic collars for ticks, especially if camping or doing outdoor activities or boarding during high risk times.
revolution i prefer for cats-where something is better than nothing, especially outdoor cats.but, not particular for the use on dogs.IMO.

we also recommend in this area and with our activity level, parasite checks 2-3 times a year(fecal).and at least once a year for heartworms/ehrlichia.

[BostonRott]

I personally think that most of those products are WAY WAY too many chemicals to be putting on a dog.

The biggest danger is HW. It kills. The rest are merely inconvenience (except for tick borne disease). Do you take aspirin or tylenol every day "just in case" you might get a headache or other pain? If not, why not?

If the dog comes down with the intestinal worms, they are easily cleared up, and if you're worried about them, they're easily tested for via stool sample testing.

The "recommended dose" for Interceptor is to kill not only the HW but also the intestinal worms. I don't worry about intestinal worms, as the dogs aren't eating cat poop and they're not out catching rodents.

We've never had a problem with fleas, nor is this area endemic for fleas (and neither can I believe that Ontario has a big flea problem)....therefore, why put extra drugs/chemicals into the dog?

Here is the link for the Safeheart dosage: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/1365.htm

I am using the Safeheart dosage and Preventic collars.

Don't let your vet pressure you into something that you don't want. Smile politely and say "I understand your recommendations, here is what I'd like to do. I'm making an informed decision." If the vet absolutely won't support your decision, I'd strongly consider changing vets.

[groupieindenial]

Thanks Gretchen, that was EXACTLY what I was looking for.

I wasn't arguing that I "wanted" to keep giving him chemicals. I wanted to make an informed decision on which one to do, and "why". I knew Revolution does too much, but it was the cost that was killing me!

[BostonRott]

Quite welcome, and no, I didn't think you "wanted" to put extra stuff on the dog.....just a point made for future readers.

The interceptor that I have for the dogs is in the green box (Safeheart dose), and my guys range in weight from 78 - 95 lbs.

[groupieindenial]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

I don't understand why a cocktail of chemicals must be given to the dog, even though there is a very tiny chance that he may get worms or mites or fleas. I agree with giving HW preventative, but I think the Heartgard has been around forever and has the least side affects of all of the HW preventatives.

Gina

Revolution is not a cocktail of chemicals. Just because it's ingredients tackles more than just heartworm, does not mean there are more than one ingredient in the product. It uses selamectin, which is categorized the same as the ingredients used in Sentinel, and Interceptor (Milbemycin Oxime).

I havn't decided exactly what I'm doing yet. I expressed my concerns to my vet, and she totally understands, and is looking further into it. She honestly feels that Revolution since it's a topical has a better success rate, versus tablet types of products. What if the dog chokes it up in the yard and you don't see him do it, your not protected when you think you are. She also said ticks are the least of my concerns, and strongly suggests against the Preventic collar.

[size=7]Selemectin (Revolution ®-Pfizer) is the newest flea adulticide marketed, but fits best in the same category of drug as ivermectin and milbemycin oxime. These are macrocyclic lactones or semisynthetic derivatives of avermectin. Selemectin was developed by Pfizer Animal Health specifically for dogs and cats and is derived by chemical modification of a precursor avermectin and is produced by bioengineering techniques. Pfizer advertises it as a unique Endectocide because it provides optimal efficacy against internal and external parasites of dogs and cats with good safety. Although it is a pour-on topical, because it is absorbed into the blood stream, it went through FDA approval prior to marketing.[/SIZE]

Also, she said if she were to administer lower dosage than recommended, she would need to verify the validity of the report, and consult with the manufacturer. THe FDA link posted above, indicates the report was funded by Novartis, which still makes you wonder, but she is looking into this for me.