Ensuring your dog is protected from a variety of parasites is a cornerstone of responsible pet ownership. Trifexis, a monthly chewable tablet, offers a triple-action approach to safeguarding your canine companion against fleas, heartworm disease, and common intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. This beef-flavored medication, requiring a veterinary prescription, is designed for dogs eight weeks and older, weighing at least five pounds.
Understanding Trifexis and How It Works
Trifexis contains two key active ingredients: spinosad and milbemycin oxime. Spinosad is a potent flea killer, beginning to eliminate fleas within 30 minutes of administration and eradicating 100% of biting fleas within four hours. Milbemycin oxime works to prevent heartworm disease by targeting microfilariae and larvae, thus inhibiting their development into adult heartworms. It also plays a role in treating and controlling adult hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infections.
Key Benefits of Trifexis
The primary advantage of Trifexis lies in its comprehensive parasite control. It simplifies your pet’s healthcare regimen by addressing multiple parasitic threats with a single, easy-to-administer tablet. The beef flavor is intended to make administration more palatable for dogs, and its once-monthly dosing schedule aids in consistent protection.
Important Considerations and Cautions
While Trifexis is a highly effective medication, it’s crucial to be aware of certain precautions. Serious adverse reactions have been reported when Trifexis is used concurrently with certain other medications, particularly ivermectin at extra-label doses. To ensure complete heartworm prevention, it is vital to administer at least three monthly doses following the last potential exposure to mosquitoes.
Before starting Trifexis, your veterinarian will likely test your dog for existing heartworm infections. Exercise caution when using Trifexis in breeding females, as its safety in this population has not been fully evaluated. Similarly, the safety for breeding males has not been established. Dogs with a history of epilepsy or seizures should be monitored closely, as Trifexis should be used with caution in these individuals. Puppies under 14 weeks of age may be more prone to vomiting. Always consult your veterinarian regarding the use of Trifexis in pregnant or lactating dogs.
Administration and Potential Side Effects
Trifexis should be given once a month with food. The chewable tablets can be given directly, mixed with food, or administered like other oral medications. If your dog vomits within one hour of receiving the dose, it is recommended to administer another full dose.
While vomiting is the most commonly reported side effect, other reactions may occur. These can include decreased appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, cough, increased thirst, vocalization, itching, or hyperactivity. If you notice any side effects that seem unusual or particularly bothersome to your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately. It is important to discuss all other medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, with your veterinarian before starting Trifexis to avoid potential drug interactions.
Managing Missed Doses and Overdoses
If you miss a dose of Trifexis, administer it with food as soon as you remember and then continue with your regular monthly dosing schedule. An overdose of Trifexis is considered unlikely, but if you suspect your pet has received too much medication, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic promptly. Vomiting may be a symptom of an overdose.
Trifexis is formulated to allow your dog to maintain normal daily activities and interactions while on the medication. Your veterinarian will determine the appropriate dosage based on your dog’s weight, with Trifexis available in various strengths to accommodate different sizes. For dogs over 120 pounds, a combination of tablets will be used. Consulting your veterinarian is essential for selecting the correct Trifexis product and ensuring the best parasite prevention plan for your dog.
