Protecting your canine companion from parasites goes beyond what meets the eye. Many dangerous parasites are invisible to the naked eye, yet pose significant risks to your dog’s health. Merck Animal Health offers SENTINEL® Brand Products, including SENTINEL SPECTRUM® Chews and SENTINEL® FLAVOR TABS®, to provide comprehensive protection against a range of these unseen threats. These medications are designed to combat heartworms, various intestinal parasites, and prevent the hatching of flea eggs, ensuring your dog remains healthy and protected.
The SENTINEL Brand Products offer a broad spectrum of defense. SENTINEL SPECTRUM® Chews, formulated with milbemycin oxime, lufenuron, and praziquantel, protect against heartworm disease, hookworms (A. caninum), roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, and prevent flea eggs from hatching. For those seeking an alternative, SENTINEL® FLAVOR TABS®, containing milbemycin oxime and lufenuron, provide protection against heartworm disease, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and also prevent flea eggs from hatching. It’s crucial to understand the prevalence of these parasites, especially heartworm disease, which continues to be a significant concern across the United States.
Understanding the Unseen Threats
Parasites can significantly impact your dog’s well-being. Heartworms, transmitted by mosquitoes, can lead to severe lung disease, heart failure, and even death. Intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms can cause a range of issues from malnutrition and anemia to severe gastrointestinal distress. Additionally, fleas not only cause discomfort through itching and skin irritation but also lay eggs that can quickly infest your home.
- Heartworms: Transmitted by mosquitoes, these parasitic worms live in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
- Hookworms: These intestinal parasites attach to the small intestine and feed on blood, potentially causing anemia.
- Roundworms: Often acquired by puppies from their mother, roundworms can lead to poor growth and digestive upset.
- Whipworms: These parasites reside in the large intestine and can cause diarrhea, sometimes bloody.
- Tapeworms: Typically transmitted by fleas, tapeworms absorb nutrients from the host’s intestines.
- Immature Fleas: Preventing flea eggs from hatching is key to breaking the flea life cycle and preventing infestations in your home.
Comprehensive Protection with SENTINEL®
SENTINEL Brand Products are a cornerstone in preventing these common and dangerous parasitic infections. Both SENTINEL SPECTRUM® Chews and SENTINEL® FLAVOR TABS® require a prescription from your veterinarian, ensuring that the best product is chosen for your dog’s specific needs after a proper diagnosis. To find a veterinarian who carries SENTINEL Brand Products, you can utilize the provided search tool by entering your ZIP code.
Important Safety Information and Usage
Before starting any new medication, it’s essential to be aware of the safety information. Dogs should always be tested for heartworm prior to the initial use of SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® Chews or SENTINEL® FLAVOR TABS®. In rare cases, mild hypersensitivity reactions have been observed in dogs with a high number of circulating microfilariae when starting SENTINEL SPECTRUM® Chews. Consistent administration of at least six monthly doses after the last potential mosquito exposure is necessary for complete heartworm prevention. While generally well-tolerated, some dogs may experience digestive, neurological, or skin side effects with SENTINEL® FLAVOR TABS®. Always refer to the complete product insert for detailed information and consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns. For technical assistance or to report suspected adverse reactions, Merck Animal Health can be contacted directly.
Merck Animal Health also offers rebates on SENTINEL Brand Products combined with BRAVECTO® Brand Products, providing an opportunity to save up to $100 when purchasing comprehensive parasite protection for your pet. This initiative aims to make extensive parasite protection more accessible for pet owners.
Consulting Your Veterinarian
The prevalence of heartworm disease, as indicated by data from the Companion Animal Parasite Council, highlights the ongoing need for preventative measures across the United States. Your veterinarian is your best resource for understanding the specific parasite risks in your geographic area and for determining the most effective preventative care plan for your dog. They can guide you on the correct dosage and administration of SENTINEL Brand Products, ensuring optimal health and protection for your beloved companion.
References
- SENTINEL® SPECTRUM® Chews [product label]. Rahway, NJ: Intervet, Inc.; 2020.
- SENTINEL® FLAVOR TABS®. Rahway, NJ: Intervet, Inc.; 2020.
- Parasite prevalence maps: 2020 Heartworm canine. Companion Animal Parasite Council. Accessed May 21, 2021. https://capcvet.org/maps/#/2020/all-year/heartworm-canine/dog/united-states
