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Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic
857 River Road
Orrington, ME 04474
Tel: 207.825.8989
Fax: 207.825.8901
mailbox@kindredvet.com
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I feel like ectoparasites kicked our asses last year.
I've done some research and some thinking, and I am adjusting our approach this year to not have the end of the year next year with everyone loaded with fleas and Lyme positive.
As you know, our arsenal has historically been Revolution and Frontline for cats and Frontline and Advantix for dogs. As you know, when I went to NAVC last year, I went to a lecture by Dr. Dryden, the flea guru who basically said that Frontline was as effective as it always was. So I came back and told most of our clients the same thing.
Then everyone got fleas.
I'm not sure whether Frontline works the same or not, but most vets believe it doesn't, especially in the south. After this year I have to admit that I'm not as psyched about it as I had been....and if people really want it its available at Lowes and Tractor supply.
Plus Walmart has the generic version.
Now 2011 was custom made for fleas. As you know the flea life cycle is activated and ready to go when there are 7 consecutive days of 70 degree weather and 70 percent humidity. We got it last year and will get it again this year.
All those pupae that are in people's environment from last years infestation will hatch and start the whole thing over again in July 2012.
So we will have different products to use and I want you to know how they work and when to recommend them.
So keep this in your mail and open it throughout the year.
There still is no Holy Grail of flea, tick, HW control. So no matter what, we have to use different products.
This year we have started to talk to people about the Lyme vaccine. For dogs that do not use any topicals, that will help. For high risk patients, we will still need to add a topical agent.
So here are your choices....
Dogs:
Advantix--still the same product, this year has an IGR in it to stop the flea eggs. Good for ticks, can't use on cats.
I don't think its true that you can't use it in homes with cats. just make sure the cat doesn't lick the spot.
Fleas, Ticks, Repellant for black flies and mosquitoes
Vectra 3D--now has been out for 3 years with little complaining in the field. Similar in function and strength to Advantix, but newer. Also DOG ONLY. Fleas and ticks. Larger volume, a little stinkier. We will stock it.
Trifexis/Comfortis--Brandy new product. Comfortis + Interceptor = Trifexis. Read that again. Comfortis is a month long flea pill that works a lot like Capstar, only for a month. Great adulticide. Add Interceptor for the yearly heart worm prevention and you have at least fleas and HW and intestinal worms covered. Need to have Lyme vaccine (remember only 70% effective) or topical to round out tick control and Lyme prevention.
Weird marketing strategy, the Trifexis in the large size is a little less than $1/dose more expensive than the Comfortis. So for $1/month you can add heart worm prevention to flea prevention.
Comfortis is not labeled for cats. However, lots of vets use it for cats. I can recommend that as an off label product. I would say you guys don't (except you Karen of course)
Revolution--Still great product for fleas in cats. Also ear mites, roundworms in cats. Great for mange in dogs and HW prevention in cats, which I still don't think is a big deal in this area.
Bottom line. We will continue to reach for it in cats, and will need to carry a bit extra because we are d/cing frontline in cats, but still doesn't do a good job with ticks.
Tick collars--there are a bunch of tick collars that have flooded the market these last few years. I still am not going to have those. They increase toxicity near the head, and in cats a study with flea and tick collars showed that cats that had them had a 4 X increase in the frequency of Squamous cell carcinoma.
It would be convenient, but I still believe we need to minimize toxicity to the pets and the environment.
We will not be stocking the tick collars.
Interceptor--HW/Whipworm/Hookworm (1 species)/Roundworm.--still a good HW product. Novartis is having some availability problems and I don't know whether they will be straightened out by summer. If so, we will carry it.
Heartguard plus--Ivermectin + Pyrantel. Good Hw except for in shelties, collies, border collies, Aussies. Iverheart Plus is a generic version that has been out for 10 years and is 1/2 the price. We will not carry HG this year and instead will have Iverheart plus. For price sensitive people, especially ones that will be having to be stocking up on flea/tick it'll save them 20 bucks a year.
I will send out an email outlining this all to clients next month. I still this year in most cases recommend seasonal HW and flea/tick. However, with this year's weather, I can see the argument for year round prevention for many.
But you guys need to be on the cutting edge here. Put together a sheet of prices for the rooms. Update the chart in the back on what products are good for what problem. There is no combination that we will use in all cases. Each patient and risk is different and we will take the time to assess that. If you decide something in the room before we get there, simply mark it on the chart.
"Discussed flea/tick/HW. Recommend Trifexis/Lyme vaccine/Vectra 3D or whatever the conclusion is.
When we get it all in, Christina will send an email telling us how much the products are so we can judge the combination to use that won't bankrupt our clients.
Word to the wise. Make sure you give clients a heads up about cost before they get to the front. Vectra will be same ballpark as Frontline cost wise. Trifexis will be about that same cost, maybe a little less.
What people want is effectiveness and they are looking to us to recommend what will work. There are more people concerned about flea/tick this year than usual, because a lot of people got infested this year.
Purple Penguins Prefer Prophylaxis.
:)
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