The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Apparently Novartis has had plant issues and stopped making Interceptor in December. I used this per Dr Dodds recommendation, now what? I also like it because I could give more exact dose-I gave each up to 25 lb pill and the 2 boys who weigh 27 and 29 lbs I would give half a up to 10 lb pill. I cannot do that with Heartguard because the medicine is unevenly distributed in the chewable, so you don't know which part has the drug. I know all the options out there, who has used what for a long time and not had any IMHA dogs?

I use Sentinel with wonderful results. I don't like the oily based stuff that goes on their backs.

Sentinal is also made by Novartis so I suggest you stockup while you can. They are not making that either.

We give the heartsafe dose of interceptor on a 45 day schedule, which is the brown box (2.3 mg) and good for up to 50 lbs of dog. I've been able to find that size more easily. Here's the FDA whitepaper on it. You don't have to use as much so it's no wonder it was never marketed...(Insert snarky big pharma reference here).

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/ApprovedAnimalDrugProducts/FOIADrugSummaries/ucm054862.htm

There's a product from Elanco called Trifexis, which is the same active ingredient as found in Interceptor plus the active ingredient in Comfortis. I don't have any experience with this product, but it's worth asking your vet about it.

My vet has had no problems getting it. Just bought a twelve pack but doesnt last long with three dogs.

Reading more on Novartis, this may have something to do with the Exedrin recall they had a few months back too! I emailed Dr Dodds and she suggested Trifexis, but when I looked up prices, that would be over $200 for 6 doses for my 3 dogs, $100 a month. I would have to order the 10-20 lb pack and the 5-10 lb pack to get proper weight dosing for my 3 dogs. Trifexis has the milbemycin oxime which is the ingredient in Interceptor, but it also has spinosad for fleas, and I don't have a flea issue. That is alot of $ for flea control which I don't need-I think if I had 1 dog I would do it but with 3, spending $100 a month seem extreme. I think I am going with Revolution, which is a parasiticide, not a pesticide. Dr Dodds also said that Novartis should be producing again this summer.