The flea and heartworm medication Trifexis for dogs has been doing more than killing fleas and preventing heartworm. Trifexis, a once-a-month beef-flavored chewable drug made by Elanco Animal Health of Greenfield, Indiana, has been named as being responsible for numerous deaths among dogs.
Thus far, nearly 1,000 dogs have died after they were given Trifexis. Some dogs succumbed after only one dose, and breed does not seem to be a factor. According to pet parents, dogs either collapsed and died after taking the medication or they went into organ failure and needed to be euthanized. Yet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Elanco still insist (as of August 5, 2014) there is no evidence that the medication is not safe.
Read more about heartworm
In addition, Elanco has received approximately 1,500 complaints from dog parents about how the medication caused their dogs to lose muscle control (ataxia). This side effect along with the possibility of dogs experiencing seizures after taking the medication is now displayed as a warning on the product’s label. Other side effects of the drug include vomiting, decline in activity, diarrhea, inflamed skin, red skin, reduced appetite, red ears, and itching.
Trifexis, which was originally approved for the market in 2011, contains two active ingredients, spinosad (a pesticide) and milbemycin oxime, a chemical that can prevent heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis in dogs. These ingredients can be found in other flea and heartworm products on the market. Trifexis has been approved both in the United States and Europe to kill fleas, prevent heartworm, and help control adult hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infections.
According to an Elanco representative, Julie Lawless, the company does not understand the claims against their product. “What we continue to say is there is no link established between Trifexis use and death. Reports are not an indication of cause.”
One precaution all dog parents should know is that no dog should be given any heartworm medication if he or she already has the infestation, as the drug can cause the dog’s death. Therefore it is critical for pet parents to have their dog checked before starting medication. Once a dog has been cleared for preventive treatment, dosing can begin.
But for many dog parents, Trifexis is not the answer. Thousands of concerned individuals have signed up as members of a Facebook page called “Does Trifexis Kill Dogs,” and there are petitions asking that the drug be pulled from the market. At the same time, many vets continue to prescribe the medication for dogs.
Read more about protecting your dog from pests
Fortunately, Trifexis is not the only flea and heartworm product on the market for dogs, so be sure to talk to your veterinarian about other choices. In addition, there are natural ways dog parents can handle these pests. Therefore, you may want to avoid Trifexis and consider other options to help prevent heartworm and fight fleas.
Image: TheGiantVermin
