Popular Broad-Spectrum Treatments for Dogs

Parasites are no less than a nuisance for both you and your canine companion. Fleas, ticks, heartworms, intestinal worms, mange, mites; the list just doesn’t seem to end. These parasites cause all kinds of health issues for our loved animals. For example, fleas cause skin illnesses, and tapeworm infections; whereas ticks transmit different tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted disease; heartworms cause one of the most dangerous heartworm diseases, and intestinal worms threaten our dogs with gastric discomforts.

Though these parasites cause troubles which are hard to deal with, with the right approach and appropriate treatments, you can get the better of them. But the question remains as to what could be the best parasitic treatment that will help you save your animal love from these blood-sucking insects.

The veterinary market today is flooded with various parasitic treatments including orals, topicals, chewables, and so on. You can never run out of options and it kind of gets confusing when you have to choose one among hundreds.

Not to worry as with this blog, we have listed out some of the popular broad-spectrum treatments for dogs that help you with enough choices. Read through to explore more:

1 – Nexgard Spectra

Nexgard Spectra is an oral broad spectrum chewable treatment for dogs. This monthly formula for dogs is indicated for the treatment and prevention of a variety of internal as well as external parasites in 8 weeks and older puppies and dogs.

Parasites Covered:

A monthly administration of Nexgard Spectra

• Kills adult fleas
• Prevents flea infestations
• Controls flea allergy dermatitis (FAD)
• Prevents flea tapeworm infestations
• Treats and controls a variety of tick infestations including Paralysis ticks, Brown dog ticks, Bush ticks
• Treats and controls demodectic mange, sarcoptic mange, and ear mites
• Prevents heartworm disease
• Treats and controls roundworms, hookworms and whipworms

Administration Type: Oral

Active Ingredients: Afoxolaner, Milbemycin Oxime

Available Packs: 3 Doses, 6 Doses, 12 Doses

Recommended For: 8 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Key Takeaways:

• Highly palatable chewable
• Protects against five major parasites with just one treatment
• Offers flexible administration (with or without food)
• Protects against three different types of ticks

2 – Simparica Trio

Simparica Trio for dogs is a tasty multi-parasitic treatment for dogs. The chewable formula is recommended for use in 8 weeks and older puppies and dogs It provide protection against various internal and external parasites for a complete month.

Parasites Covered:

A monthly administration of Simparica Trio

• Prevents heartworm disease
• Kills fleas
• Kills paralysis ticks
• Treats intestinal worms including roundworm and hookworms

Administration Type: Oral

Active Ingredients: Sarolaner, Moxidectin, Pyrantel

Available Packs: 3 Doses, 6 Doses

Recommended For: 8 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Key Takeaways:

• Tasty liver-flavored chewable loved by dogs of all age groups
• Effective against both internal and external parasites
• Provides flexible dosing (can be given with or without food)
• Useful for puppies as little as 1.25kg bodyweight

3 – Comfortis Plus

Comfortis Plus is a chewable formula for dogs that offers 3-in-one protection. This monthly oral composition works as ectoparasiticide as well as endoparasiticide and is useful for puppies and dogs from 8 weeks of age that weigh 2.3kg or more.

Parasites Covered:

A monthly administration of Comfortis Plus

• Kills fleas
• Prevents heartworm disease
• Treats and controls adult intestinal worms including roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
• Useful in dogs with flea allergy dermatitis

Administration Type: Oral

Active Ingredients: Spinosad, Milbemycin oxime

Available Packs: 6 Doses

Recommended For: 8 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Key Takeaways:

• Offers 3-in-one protection
• Reliable, fast-action formula
• Starts killing fleas in 30 minutes
• No restrictions with regards to your canine going for swimming or being washed

4 – Sentinel Spectrum

Sentinel Spectrum is a beef-bacon-flavored, broad-spectrum treatment for dogs. The monthly chewable composition for dogs treats and controls a variety of internal and external parasites in 6 weeks and older puppies and dogs that weigh 4kg or more.

Parasites Covered:

A monthly administration of Sentinel Spectrum

• Kills fleas
• Prevents heartworm disease
• Treats and controls roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms
• Protects against tapeworms

Administration Type: Oral

Active Ingredients: Lufenuron, Milbemycin oxime, Praziquantel

Available Packs: 3 Doses, 6 Doses, 12 Doses

Recommended For: 6 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Key Takeaways:

• Provides 3-in-1 protection
• Offers highly palatable flavor that dogs love
• No restrictions in terms of dogs going for swimming

5 – Advocate

Advocate is a topical multi-parasitic treatment for dogs. The spot-on composition is effective as ectoparasiticide and endoparasiticide, providing lasting effects for 30 days in 7 weeks and older puppies and dogs.

Parasites Covered:

A monthly administration of Advocate for dogs

• Kills fleas
• Prevents heartworm infection
• Protects against oesophageal worms
• Treats and controls intestinal worms including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms
• Treats mites and lice

Administration Type: Topical

Active Ingredients: Imidacloprid, Moxidectin

Available Packs: 1 Dose, 3 Doses, 6 Doses, 12 Doses

Recommended For: 7 weeks and older puppies and dogs

Key Takeaways:

• Simple and reliable broad-spectrum treatment
• Easy-to-administer topical formula
• Kills fleas quickly, on contact
• Offers comprehensive protection against intestinal worms
• Prevents re-infestation between doses

Conclusion

In the end, all the treatments mentioned above provide more or less similar protection. It is your ease and comfort, at the same time the convenience of your loved animal companion matters the most in terms of finalizing which parasitic protection to go with. It is worth asking your veterinarian for advice or two.

Regardless of which treatment you buy, be sure to follow the label instructions and administer the correct dosage. Seek a vet’s assistance if you observe any symptoms of discomfort in your dog after the administration of treatment.