Heartguard and Frontline

They do but just for the heartworm stuff, you can get Frontline and Frontline Plus without a prescription now.  But, for heartworm you will need one no matter where you get it from. 
 
Another thought--If it's easier you could see if your vets office will match any lower price than theirs that you find.  Ours does, I just need to bring the catalog in so they can see it.  Then they discount theirs to whatever the low price is.  It's great if you need it right away.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I beleive Sentinel is one of the 'over the counter' type meds.  Don't believe I'd use it, waste of $$$

Your wrong cubby, it's prescription.  I've never used it but I believe it is for both heartworm and fleas.

ORIGINAL: willowchow

Your wrong cubby, it's prescription.  I've never used it but I believe it is for both heartworm and fleas.

Willchow is correct. That is why I was looking into it. I've found it cheaper than the combination of heartguard and frontline. My issue is that it does not kill adult fleas. Ella doesn't currently have fleas (not to my knowledge anyway) but if a few decided to jump on her and feast, on sentinel, she wouldn't have that protection.
I worry about her skin though. She has REALLY sensitive skin but has done fine on frontline so far.

Lori's right -- Sentinel is for heartworm (and all blood-feasting parasites) and fleas.  BUT it's birth control for fleas -- it's not going to 'kill' them. (and it stays in the body only 24 hours -- not systemic which is a good thing)
 
Sentinel doesn't *kill* fleas at all -- it's milbemycin (same as Interceptor) but it additionally has the same drug in it that the old Program used -- it's an 'egg inhibitor'.  It's actually 'birth control for fleas' -- when the flea 'bites' the dog it doesn't die ... BUT when that flea procreates, it's offspring won't have the ability to develop the hard-exoskeleton (shell) that fleas have and the babies can't develop that and they die. 
 
If your dog stays in the same area (never goes out of your yard AT all) then it's great but the second you go out for a walk where new fleas can jump on your dog it's not going to work.
 
But do also remember that Interceptor (and also Sentinel) protects your dog from more parasites than HeartGuard does.  Because it's dosed higher (because it's far safer at higher doses than ivermectin) it kills things like hooks and whips usually.  Not completely infallible, but in a case like mine where I *know* my soil was contaminated by hooks and whips at one time, I know Interceptor does a good job of protecting my guys.  I usually use it every 45 days rather than monthly. 

I get nervous about switching my flea/tick and heartworm medications.  The way I feel about it is that she does well on what we use and they are effective.  There is always that risk that there will be a reaction to a new product or it won't work.  So, I stick with what I'm using if it's working. 

Ugh.
What about Revolution?
Dang it, there are TOO many products out there.
Have you heard how well this works?

We used Revolution ONE year.  Had the worst flea infestation I have ever, ever, EVER had.  We had to additionally buy frontline to do the job that revolution wasn't doing.  Now, if revolution doesn't work on the stuff I CAN see, what kind of job is it doing protecting against the stuff I CAN'T see?? I don't want my dogs unprotected for a full year while we wait for the next blood test.......

Honestly, I think the best combination is something like Heartgard/Frontline or Interceptor/Frontline.  Based on what I've researched, everything else falls short in some way. 

Sally LOVES her Heartguard.  I just take her to the vets to get it every month.  It is a bit more expensive, but as a result she LOVES the vet's office--lol.

What ever you do, don't use advantage--I think frontline is better and we are in the process of switching. A bath tonight and then frontline tomorrow. I can deal with the oil slick. I am convinced advantage washes off even though I only bathe every 10 days to 2 weeks for some reason we keep getting caught in the rain--summer thunderstorms! Heartguard Plus does not get hookworms, but does get round and whip--I think. It may be that it gets round and hook but not whip but I am pretty sure the first way I wrote it is correct. Plain heartguard gets no parasites other than heartworms.

Heartgard Plus control hooks and roundworms.   Whipworms are harder to control and the pyrantel can't do it.  *And my required alert - do not use ivermectin in Collies!*

Funny you mentioned Advantage not working.  I have found quite the opposite with my dogs and Frontline - would still see life fleas, but not with Advantage.  [8|]

Roxie is on the Frontline PLUS and Interceptor routine.  And for us, Frontline PLUS works extremely well.  

How long do you give heartworm prevention? Forever -- or do you stop when the dog reaches a certain age? And how does the vet test for heartworm in dogs?
 
Also, do I have to keep my dog on flea/tick prevention? I used Frontline on her a couple of months ago, and there haven't been any fleas/ticks since. Should I start doing flea/tick prevention or should I just give Frontline when I find that she has fleas on her?

I would keep frontline on her, that way she doesn't get any fleas, or if she does, they die right as soon as they bite into her.


I think we're going to go the Interceptor/frontline route.

Thanks guys!