My dog currently takes heartguard once a month, and advantix drops once a month. He really doesn't like the flea medication, and mopes around after I put it on him. I would like to find something else since he obviously doesn't like it. I got an email from the vet about a product called Trifexis? or something like that that covers heartworm, fleas, and something else. Anyone heard of it, or use it? My brother just had a major bout with ticks in his house that was gross and expensive. He has two little fluffy white dogs that never go anywhere, I have an Aussie I take everywhere! I want to avoid fleas and ticks especially!! It's almost time to put his meds on and thought I would see if any of you had some info to share. Thanks, as always.

jon

My vet gave me Triflexis last year. My dogs didn't really like the taste at all and the pill was huge.

If I can find it, I'm going back to Sentinal.

We just started our crew on Trifexis this month. We had already been using Comfortis and liked it. This combo-drug ends up costing a bit less than buying Comfortis and Heartgard separately.

But it ain't cheap. Nearly $20 per dose.

I use it and it is a little cheaper than using two. I don't try and have them eat it, just open there mouth and shove it down!!!

I had a major flea issue last summer. Nothing topical OTC was helping so I sprayed the yard and got Trifexis. Flea infestation gone after about 48 hours. The eggs were still hanging around but they would hatch and promptly die from trying to feed. I had to bathe the dogs about 3 times that months to rid them of the dead fleas.

Their current schedule is heartgard and comfortis as needed which is more expensive to buy but I'm not dosing them every month with the flea stuff. I bought a 6 month supply in December and I just used 3 of the pills when I noticed some excessive itching. I also just sprayed down their pen again so we should be covered. When April/May hits they'll be back on Trifexis so no infestation can resurface.

*I* didn't notice any stomach upsets but vomiting is a pretty common reaction. It does die down after the dog has had the pill for a few months supposedly but since I feed it right after dinner I haven't noticed and issue.

It does not cover ticks. If you are in a tick prone area you need something else for that Preventic would be my choice personally but we're not tick infested here.

My sister's dog is currently having a severe auto-immune disorder which they believe was triggered by trifexis. No way to know for sure and it certainly isn't a common "side-effect", but just wanted to let you know.

Thanks Matt, was it after repeated use or just one treatment? I may go back to heartguard.

My dogs are on Comfortis and Tri-Heart. Tri-Heart is a generic (and ridiculously cheaper) Heartgard. Conan will eat anything but Danni I have to pill or smash and sprinkle in her food (though I've had her turn her nose at the food afterwards, lol). It works great. The doctor I work for isn't comfortable using Trifexis yet because it's so new. It took a while for him to accept Comfortis.

If you're going to use a topical and want a combo drug (fleas, ticks and heartworm) I would highly recommend Revolution. It's also systemic (like the oral tablets) and seems to last a full month.

Out here in So Cal we've been hit hard by resistant fleas. Revolution doesn't work as well as Comfortis but it does work.

Thanks Katie! I think I will not use the Trifexis again. I will look for Tri-Heart. Thanks again!

I think he had 2 doses - once in Sept and then another in Oct, after which he declined rapidly with severely achy, swollen joints. We'll never know if that was the trigger for his auto-immune disorder or not, but even the trifexis vet thinks it's likely, though they'd apparently never documented a case like this before.