Preventive information on parasites
There are many types of preventives for dogs and cats. The differences are found in:
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- Frequency of administration: daily, monthly, every 3 months, every 6 months, and yearly
- Route by which they are administered: subcutaneous, oral, topical
- Covered agencies
- Price
- Age at which they can begin to be used
Heartworms and gastrointestinal parasites
Heartgard Plus: is an economical product that is very commonly used. It protects your pets from heartworm and some gastrointestinal parasites (hookworms, roundworms). One tablet is administered monthly by mouth. It can be started at 6 weeks of age.
Revolution: an excellent product for cats and puppies. It protects your cats from heartworm and some gastrointestinal parasites (hookworms, roundworms). In addition, it also protects against fleas and ear mites. It protects puppies from fleas, ticks, ear mites and sarcoptic mange. It is applied topically between the shoulder blades on monthly skin. It can be used from 6 weeks in puppies and 4 weeks in cats.
Proheart 6/Proheart 12: a dog-only product that covers protects your dog from heartworm and some gastrointestinal parasites for a limited time (hookworms). It is administered by subcutaneous injection and offers protection for 6 months or 12 months depending on the product used. It can be started at 6 months for Proheart 6 and 12 months for Proheart 12.
Simparica Trio: the most complete and latest preventive on the market. This product protects your pets from heartworm, gastrointestinal parasites (hookworms, roundworms), fleas and ticks. One tablet is administered monthly by mouth. It can be started at 8 weeks of age and weighs at least 2.8 pounds. The American Heartworm Association recommends heartworm testing before starting use of these products. It then recommends testing in conjunction with annual vaccinations, even if your pet has been on preventatives during the year.
The American Heartworm Association recommends performing the heartworm test before starting to use these products. It then recommends doing the test in conjunction with annual vaccinations, even if your pet has been in preventive care during the year.
Fleas, ticks and mites in CATS
Capstar: this product is mostly used on puppies and kittens. It protects your pets from fleas only and lasts for one day. It is administered once a day if necessary. It can be started at 4 weeks of age in dogs and cats over 2 pounds.
Bravecto: this product protects against fleas and ticks in cats. It is administered every 3 months topically between the scapulae on the skin. It can be started at 6 months of age if they weigh more than 2.6 pounds.
Revolution: an excellent product for cats and puppies. It protects your cats from heartworm and some gastrointestinal parasites (hookworms, roundworms). In addition, it also protects against fleas and ear mites. It protects puppies from fleas, ticks, ear mites and sarcoptic mange. It is applied topically between the shoulder blades on the skin once a month. It can be used from 6 weeks in puppies and 8 weeks in cats.
Fleas, ticks and mites in DOGS
Bravecto: this product protects against fleas and ticks in cats. One tablet is administered by mouth every 3 months. It can be started at 6 months of age if they weigh more than 4.4 pounds.
Nexgard: this product protects against fleas and ticks in dogs. It is administered monthly by mouth. It can be started at 8 weeks of age if they weigh more than 4 pounds.
Simparica Trio: the most complete and latest preventive on the market. This product protects your pets from heartworm, gastrointestinal parasites (hookworms, roundworms), fleas and ticks. One tablet is administered monthly by mouth. It can be started at 8 weeks of age and weighs at least 2.8 pounds.
