Trifexis Review: Protect Your Dog from Parasites

We’ve all used topical flea treatments on our dogs, and we all know just how much of a pain it can be to administer these treatments. They are messy, it can be nearly impossible to find the right spot, and then you are always worried that your dog is going to be able to lick at it, even though you put it in a spot they can’t reach. Now, there is a much better option that is just as effective, but a whole lot easier to administer. Trifexis is a monthly tablet that tastes like beef, so your dog will actually enjoy it. Read on to learn more about what Trifexis can do for your dog.

What is Trifexis?

Trifexis is a combination of spinosad and milbemycin oxime, and it is given to dogs once per month to prevent flea infestations, heartworm disease, and treat and control adult hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infections. This medication is approved for dogs and puppies.

Rather than using a topical solution or trying to get your dog take a pill that they don’t want, this is a tasty chew that your dog will enjoy. Trifexis protects dogs for 30 days, and regular treatments will ensure that your dog isn’t bothered by fleas and worms (some types of worms are caused by eating fleas). Consult with your vet about treatment throughout the year, and if you have other pets, ask about flea treatments for them as well. This is not a treatment for cats, but you can get cat-friendly treatments from the same brand.

How Does Trifexis Work?

The active ingredients in Trifexis work together to protect dogs against three different types of parasites. It is an oral medication that is appealing to dogs, making it easy to administer. Because it is not a topical solution, it is not dangerous to other pets or children, so you don’t have to isolate your dog after administering the treatment. This is a flea and worm treatment for dogs and puppies older than eight weeks and weighing more than five pounds.

Benefits of Trifexis

Spinosad, one of the active ingredients in Trifexis, was created as a green way to control insects on crops. Dow Agro Sciences LLC was awarded a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in 1999 for creating spinosad, which is environment friendly. It is also safer to use than the topical solutions that have been popular for several years. Other benefits of Trifexis include:

• No Fleas – Trifexis kills fleas and prevents future infestations when administered monthly, year-round
• No Heartworm – Trifexis prevents heartworm disease, as well as hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm
• Easy to Administer – This medication is in a chewable tablet form that is easy to administer, and your dog will love it
• No Liquids – Unlike some topical flea treatments, Trifexis isn’t going to stain your clothing, carpeting, or furniture
• Won’t Dilute – When you use topical solutions, some of the medication can come off when you bathe your dog. This is a pill, so it won’t dilute
• No Skin Irritation – Because this is an oral medication, it is not going to cause any skin irritations such as itching and rashes

How to Give Trifexis to Your Dog

In order for this drug to be the most effective, it should be administered with food. You can give it to your dog by itself, or put it with his food. Your dog will likely think he is getting a treat, but you will know just how much protection he is getting. It is a good idea to talk to your vet about year-round, monthly treatments. In order to keep track of treatments, there are stick-on calendar labels included.

If your dog will not eat the chewable tablet, it is safe to crush it up and mix it in with their food. While there are no studies on this, it is considered safe to crush the tablet, as long as it is consumed right away to make sure that your dog gets all of the medication. But, it is going to be more effective if it is swallowed whole.

Things to be Aware of

If you think that your dog has ingested more than the recommended dose of Trifexis, contact your vet immediately. An overdose of Trifexis can lead to vomiting, tremors, lethargy, salivation, and coughing. If you notice any of these symptoms after administering Trifexis, contact your vet.

If you have other pets that have not been treated for fleas, there is a chance that you are still going to see fleas jumping onto your dog. All pets need to be treated with the appropriate medication to prevent flea infestations in the home. Dogs that are treated with Trifexis will not be affected by fleas as much as without treatment, as the drug is going to kill the fleas as soon as they bite. Continuous use can prevent new flea infestations.

You may notice worms in your dog’s stool after being given Trifexis. Generally, this is nothing to worry about. If your dog had an intestinal parasite infection such as hookworm, roundworm, or whipworm, the drug will kill the worms, and they will be expelled in the stool.

This drug has not been tested on breeding males, and it is recommended that you use it with caution for breeding females. It should also be used with caution if your dog has epilepsy. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your vet before administering Trifexis to your dog.

Conclusion

Once you have a flea infestation in your home, it can be next to impossible to get rid of. This is why you need to treat your dog with Trifexis every month. Ongoing treatments will ensure that fleas die almost as soon as they bite your dog, which means that they won’t be laying eggs and infesting your home. Talk to your vet about Trifexis today.