Vet-Recommended Flea, Tick and Heartworm Treatments for Dogs

With summer at its peak, the parasites such as fleas, ticks, and worms are at their annoying best. It indeed gets difficult to safeguard our canine friends against these bloodsuckers as each of these parasites is more than capable of compromising your pet’s health.

Fleas and ticks are the most common parasites that grow by feeding on their host animal’s blood and reproduce. Both these parasites make their presence felt by causing persistent itching and irritation from the beginning and lead to some serious illnesses such as anemia, tapeworm infection, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, etc. Heartworms and intestinal worms on the other hand cause infection internally. Other than the heart, heartworms cause damage to other critical organs too including the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Therefore, we must use the best possible antiparasitic to get the better of these parasites.

Now, the question is which flea, tick, and heartworm preventive to use? Is there any specific formula that works on all dogs? Do you need a separate treatment for fleas, ticks, and worms? What one needs to keep in mind when selecting parasite protection for dogs?

If any of these questions come to your mind, this is the right place to find your answers. This blog will brief you about some of the popular flea, tick, and worm treatments for dogs along with key things to consider when choosing these treatments for your pet. Read through to learn more.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Flea, Tick & Heartworm Treatment

As we know, no two dogs are the same. One treatment may be a great option for one dog, but it doesn’t mean it’ll be the same brilliant one for the other pet too. When you are on a hunt for a parasitic treatment for your dog, here are some factors you should take into consideration:

Pet Breed –

A dog’s skin and coat type differs with every breed. The treatment you use will work differently on thick coats as compared to how effective it will be on short-coated dogs.

Pet Age & Weight –

Most dog treatments are only safe for dogs until the pet reaches a certain age and they all need to be used on dogs with a specific minimum weight. Check the product label before for its age and weight criterion.

Pet Lifestyle –

Some dogs are surrounded by children or other pets, while some spend more time outdoors. Some dogs are fond of water play while others like playing in the woods, hence are exposed to fleas, ticks, and other parasites more.

Pet’s Preference –

Some dogs would run away from oral antiparasitic, whereas some dogs prefer topical treatments to the ones that need to be taken by mouth.

Other than these, a dog’s health condition, illness history, routine, and location play key roles in how the animal responds to treatment. It is advised to take these factors into account when selecting a line of treatment for your four-legged friend. Always consult a vet before administering any treatment to your pet.

Popular Flea, Tick, & Heartworm Treatments for Dogs

No pet parents would like to give their pets dose after dose for different pests like fleas, ticks, and worms, especially when all-in-one treatment options are there on the table. And think about the animal for a second! Why do they suffer with multiple doses when just one dose could do it all?

Here’s a synopsis of vet-recommended all-in-one flea, tick, and worm treatments for dogs:

#Advantage Multi (Advocate)

Imidacloprid + Moxidectin

Advantage Multi (Advocate) is a topical broad-spectrum treatment for dogs that protects against multiple parasites for one month. It is recommended for use in puppies and dogs from 7 weeks (about 1 and a half months) of age.

Offered Protection –

A single dose of Advantage Multi (Advocate),

• Prevents heartworm disease
• Kills adult fleas
• Treats flea infestations
• Treats and controls sarcoptic mange
• Treats and controls hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms

Mode of Action –

Once applied, the active ingredients spread across and get absorbed into the dog’s body and bloodstream. Fleas die as soon as they come into contact with a treated dog’s skin, preventing dogs from painful flea bites. The composition keeps killing heartworm larvae and intestinal worms for one month.

Product Advantages –

• Broad-spectrum treatment
• Easy-to-apply topical form
• Protects against external and internal parasites
• The long-lasting treatment protects for one month
• Can resume anytime in case you miss a dose
• Available in weight-specific dose variants

#Nexgard Spectra

Afoxolaner + Milbemycin oxime

Nexgard Spectra is a palatable beef-flavored, multi-spectrum chewable treatment for dogs. The formula is indicated for use in 8 weeks (about 2 months) and older puppies and dogs.

Offered Protection –

A single dose of Nexgard Spectra,

• Kills fleas
• Prevents fleas from laying eggs
• Kills ticks
• Prevents heartworm disease
• Eliminates gastrointestinal worms
• Kills mites
• Prevents lungworm and eyeworm infections

Mode of Action –

The powerful composition of Nexgard Spectra works quickly after administration. The active substances interfere with the neurotransmission of parasites’ (fleas, ticks, worms, and mites) nervous systems. This causes paralysis of the parasites and death of the insects in the end.

Product Advantages –

• All-in-one treatment
• Tasty beef-flavored form
• Provides dogs with treat-like experience
• Effective against external and internal parasites
• Give it with or without food
• Readily accepted by dogs of all breeds and sizes
• Available in different doses and packs

#Revolution

Selamectin

Revolution is a liquid Spot-On formula that provides broad-spectrum protection against both external and internal parasites for one month. This topical treatment is indicated for use in 6 weeks (about 1 and a half months) and older puppies and dogs.

Offered Protection –

With a single dose of Revolution,

• Kills adult fleas
• Prevents flea eggs from hatching
• Prevents and controls flea infestations
• Prevents heartworm disease
• Controls American dog tick infestations
• Treats and controls ear mites
• Treats and controls sarcoptic mange

Mode of Action –

Post application, the active substance of Revolution, selamectin, enters the bloodstream of dogs through their skin. Concentrations of selamectin in the circulating blood and tissues prevent deadly heartworms. The formula redistributes to the skin from the blood and protects against fleas, American dog ticks, ear mites, and mange.

Product Advantages –

• Comprehensive parasite protection
• The topical formula offers easy application
• Works against both external and internal parasites
• A single dose protects for one month
• Available in various doses and pack sizes

Also Read: Nexgard VS Simparica – Which is Safer for Dogs?

#Simparica Trio

Sarolaner + Moxidectin + Pyrantel

Simparica Trio is a tasty liver-flavored, broad-spectrum treatment to offer protection against internal and external parasites. These monthly chews are recommended for puppies and dogs from 8 weeks (about 2 months) of age and older.

Offered Protection –

A single dose of Simparica Trio,

• Prevents heartworm disease
• Treats and controls intestinal roundworms and hookworms
• Kills adult fleas
• Treats and prevents flea infestations
• Kills fleas before they can lay eggs
• Treats and controls American dog tick, lone star tick, Gulf-coast tick, black-legged tick, and brown dog tick infestations
• Prevents Lyme disease

Mode of Action –

Once administered, the trio formula acts quickly. Sarolaner causes uncontrolled neuromuscular activity in parasites leading to death in insects. Moxidectin interferes with the neurotransmission of insects causing paralysis and death of parasites. Pyrantel acts as a neuromuscular blocking agent, causing paralysis and death of the organism.

Product Advantages –

• All-in-one treatment offers comprehensive protection
• Combines three powerful ingredients
• Palatable liver flavor readily accepted by all dogs
• Protects against 5 tick species
• Efficiently protects against both external and internal parasites
• Quick-action formula that starts working within 4 hours
• Available in different doses and pack sizes

#Credelio Plus

Lotilaner + Milbemycin oxime

Credelio Plus is a chewable tablet for dogs that provides monthly protection against ticks, fleas, and intestinal worms. It is proven to be safe for dogs 8 weeks of age or older. It’s one chew that protects against both external and internal parasites for an entire month.

Offered Protection –

A single dose of Credelio Plus,

• Treats and controls ticks
• Kills fleas
• Prevents fleas from laying eggs
• Treats and controls demodex mites
• Prevents heartworm disease
• Treats and controls gastrointestinal worms (roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms)
• Can be used as part of a treatment strategy for flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
• Prevents flea tapeworm infestations

Mode of Action –

Once administered, the active ingredients of Credelio Plus are readily distributed into the bloodstream. When external parasites such as ticks, fleas, and mites ingest the blood of the pet, Lotilaner in the composition kills them by interrupting their neurotransmissions. Milbemycin oxime in the composition is responsible for killing the internal worms, which include adult roundworms, whipworms, adult hookworms, and larvae of Dirofilaria immitis.

Product Advantages –

• All-in-one treatment for fleas, ticks, and worms
• Effectively starts killing fleas within 2 hours of administration
• Protects 3 tick species (paralysis, bush, and brown dog ticks)
• Prevents dogs and puppies from heartworms
• A single dose provides 1 month of protection against both internal and external parasites
• Available in various doses and pack sizes

Comparison Chart for Top 5 Flea, Tick & Heartworm Treatments:

Ending Note

Choosing the right parasite protection for our four-legged companions can be overwhelming at times and considering the number of treatment options, it’s easy to get carried away. But when your loved one’s health is on the line, don’t compromise. Compare options, consider key factors mentioned earlier in this article before choosing a flea, tick, and heartworm treatment, and seek help from a veterinarian.

With the right approach and expert guidance, you’ll be able to defeat these nasty parasites and help your companion live a healthy and happy life.