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by jra on 02 April 2013 - 14:04
Has anyone's dog experienced side effects on Trifexis? I looked up the side effects on the Trifexis website and it mentions "depression/lethargy and decreased appetite" (along with some others) as common adverse reactions. I have two dogs on it and believe the GSD isn't tolerating it as well.
She won't take the tablet willingly, so I've tried hiding it in her food (I always give with food as recommended, I just have to really hide hers in it), but she eats around the tablet. I've even tried breaking it in half/qtrs and giving with food/treats thinking that might work, but I've watched her spit them out. After a bit of work, I got her to take most of it yesterday, but she refused to eat this am and is not her usual self - and I think it's the side effects. I'll monitor to see that she returns to normal by later today or tomorrow. Additionally, she hovers at 57-60 lbs and the dosage recommended was the 60-120 lb, but I'm also wondering if maybe it's too much for her and if she might do better on the lower dose.
She's not food driven at all and has had days where she opts not to eat, (some random days, but always around Trifexis time) - she'll sniff and tentatively eat, as if she's trying to determine if I've done something different. I'm wondering if this is worth it every month for the Trifexis or if switching to something else might be better, but I don't want to just keep willy-nilly changing her stuff. (My other dog is tolerating Trifexis well and is extremely food driven, so this is new territory for me.)
Has anyone had any similar experiences, and if so, what did you find worked better? Thanks in advance.
She won't take the tablet willingly, so I've tried hiding it in her food (I always give with food as recommended, I just have to really hide hers in it), but she eats around the tablet. I've even tried breaking it in half/qtrs and giving with food/treats thinking that might work, but I've watched her spit them out. After a bit of work, I got her to take most of it yesterday, but she refused to eat this am and is not her usual self - and I think it's the side effects. I'll monitor to see that she returns to normal by later today or tomorrow. Additionally, she hovers at 57-60 lbs and the dosage recommended was the 60-120 lb, but I'm also wondering if maybe it's too much for her and if she might do better on the lower dose.
She's not food driven at all and has had days where she opts not to eat, (some random days, but always around Trifexis time) - she'll sniff and tentatively eat, as if she's trying to determine if I've done something different. I'm wondering if this is worth it every month for the Trifexis or if switching to something else might be better, but I don't want to just keep willy-nilly changing her stuff. (My other dog is tolerating Trifexis well and is extremely food driven, so this is new territory for me.)
Has anyone had any similar experiences, and if so, what did you find worked better? Thanks in advance.
by Mystere on 02 April 2013 - 15:04
I have 2 gsds on it. The first dose of Trifexis came at about the same time that the puppy developed an infected ear and a yeast infection systemically. He never missed a meal, though. The grown bitch was not affected at all and never has been. I got cream and drops from the vet for the ears, heavy-duty pro-biotics for the yeast infection and, motivated by club members who are a vet, certified vet tech and a raw-feeder who operates a natural pet food store, I changed the food to one that does NOT have potatoes (I have fed grain-free for years). It seemed to clear up the problem at that time. The ear issue resurrects every now and than (like babies, puppies that have an ear infection are predisposed to having to the problem throughout their lives), but the switch in food seemed to make all the difference with the systemic issue. Still, I give the Trifxis over three-day week-ends, I can be with the dogs to observe any affects that might come up. In the past year, I have notices no side effects at all. Both dogs are food and toy monsters.
It sounds like your girl just does not like the taste of the tablets and is a finicky-eater anyway. Sometimes, dogs are just like little kids with some off-the-wall preference or dislike that will defy explanation.
But, it would be worth checking the ingredients in the food and seeing whether a change in food helps.
I agree with the cost issue. There is NO WAY that this stuff should cost $100 for a six-month supply per dog. IMO, it is just more pharmaceutical robbery. I would be willing to bet it can be purchased in Canada for a fourth of the price.
FWIW: All the vets I know and have asked about it, including those involved in dogsports, use Trifexis for their own dogs, too.
It sounds like your girl just does not like the taste of the tablets and is a finicky-eater anyway. Sometimes, dogs are just like little kids with some off-the-wall preference or dislike that will defy explanation.
But, it would be worth checking the ingredients in the food and seeing whether a change in food helps. I agree with the cost issue. There is NO WAY that this stuff should cost $100 for a six-month supply per dog. IMO, it is just more pharmaceutical robbery. I would be willing to bet it can be purchased in Canada for a fourth of the price.
FWIW: All the vets I know and have asked about it, including those involved in dogsports, use Trifexis for their own dogs, too.
by SitasMom on 02 April 2013 - 15:04
if you do facebook
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=233950610012938&id=110886408938194
the complete product information pamphlet from the maker.
https://www.elancocentral.com/trifexis-product-label.pdf
by jra on 02 April 2013 - 16:04
"It sounds like your girl just does not like the taste of the tablets and is a finicky-eater anyway."
Mystere - thanks for the reply. ^^ This is most definitely the case with the GSD. It took us awhile to figure out how to get her to eat when she first came to us, but (for the most part) she's done great ever since - except when I try to sneak the Trifexis in ;). She doesn't have any food-related issues, other than a 'take it or leave it' attitude about it sometimes. My other dog, however, is the one with the chronic ear problems...and she never lets a morsel of food go uneaten, LOL.
SitasMom - thanks for the FB info, I had no idea some people were having such horrible experiences with Trifexis. I believe it just may be something that my GSD doesn't tolerate, for whatever reason, and will most likely be looking to put her on something different. My Lab is doing fine on it and doesn't seem to have the same problem as the GSD. I do recall giving the GSD a dose of Benadryl once and was *very* concerned about her demeanor/behavior afterward and the next day. She was conked out and dopey for a full day (maybe longer, I don't recall) and wouldn't eat. As I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what she might have gotten into, I deduced it must have been the Benadryl. Again, my other dog has never had an issue with Benadryl either, so I didn't give much thought to giving it to the GSD. After that incident, I haven't given her Benadryl again, and fortunately she's not had a need for it. I believe she may just metabolize things differently. She's doing OK thus far today, just kinda lazy and sleepy.
Mystere - thanks for the reply. ^^ This is most definitely the case with the GSD. It took us awhile to figure out how to get her to eat when she first came to us, but (for the most part) she's done great ever since - except when I try to sneak the Trifexis in ;). She doesn't have any food-related issues, other than a 'take it or leave it' attitude about it sometimes. My other dog, however, is the one with the chronic ear problems...and she never lets a morsel of food go uneaten, LOL.
SitasMom - thanks for the FB info, I had no idea some people were having such horrible experiences with Trifexis. I believe it just may be something that my GSD doesn't tolerate, for whatever reason, and will most likely be looking to put her on something different. My Lab is doing fine on it and doesn't seem to have the same problem as the GSD. I do recall giving the GSD a dose of Benadryl once and was *very* concerned about her demeanor/behavior afterward and the next day. She was conked out and dopey for a full day (maybe longer, I don't recall) and wouldn't eat. As I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what she might have gotten into, I deduced it must have been the Benadryl. Again, my other dog has never had an issue with Benadryl either, so I didn't give much thought to giving it to the GSD. After that incident, I haven't given her Benadryl again, and fortunately she's not had a need for it. I believe she may just metabolize things differently. She's doing OK thus far today, just kinda lazy and sleepy.
by Mystere on 02 April 2013 - 17:04
Jra,
What are your gsd's bloodlines? My last American-line gsd (80"s) was a VERY finicky-eater. I had to go all over town to find food she would deign to eat. At one time, she would only eat a particular local brand of canned horsemeat. During another period, only chicken hearts sauted in white wine with shallots (NOT garlic--shallots. And don't try any substitution). When she was boarded at the vet's they had to try everything to get her to eat and hit on a mix of 2 parts dog-food to 1 part dry cat food. They fed her as much as she would eat, knowing that in a few days, she'd stop eating that, too. She had pancreatic insufficiency, among other things (But, EXCELLENT hips!) Your girl would not be any chance have Woodacre's Dakota behind her, would she?
What are your gsd's bloodlines? My last American-line gsd (80"s) was a VERY finicky-eater. I had to go all over town to find food she would deign to eat. At one time, she would only eat a particular local brand of canned horsemeat. During another period, only chicken hearts sauted in white wine with shallots (NOT garlic--shallots. And don't try any substitution). When she was boarded at the vet's they had to try everything to get her to eat and hit on a mix of 2 parts dog-food to 1 part dry cat food. They fed her as much as she would eat, knowing that in a few days, she'd stop eating that, too. She had pancreatic insufficiency, among other things (But, EXCELLENT hips!
) Your girl would not be any chance have Woodacre's Dakota behind her, would she? by jra on 02 April 2013 - 18:04
Mystere - I PMd you :)
by swingfield on 02 April 2013 - 23:04
I didn't realize the side effects either.. thanks for posting them! I didn't like reading about the side affects of Comfortis .. and I now have 3 adult dogs on Trifexis.. I haven't had any issues in the year that they have been on it...I do have to 'manually' give it to my Malamute.. but my Shepherds eat it right out of my hand.. Yukon is just too picky !!
I will check into this further.. thanks for the post! Sherry
although I recall my 12 year old Sheltie had a seizure the day of his dose of Trifexis.. and I took him into where I work (vet) and we decided that he was just too old to need heartworm preventative anyway.... makes me think he had a reaction.. he is now 15 and doing well.. but that episode scared the crap out of me.. it was like he was in a stupor and didnt know where he was.. I thought he was having a stroke and was prepared to put him to sleep ... thank goodness he is a tough cookie ! .. hmmmmmmm.. makes me wonder now ! Sherry
I will check into this further.. thanks for the post! Sherry
although I recall my 12 year old Sheltie had a seizure the day of his dose of Trifexis.. and I took him into where I work (vet) and we decided that he was just too old to need heartworm preventative anyway.... makes me think he had a reaction.. he is now 15 and doing well.. but that episode scared the crap out of me.. it was like he was in a stupor and didnt know where he was.. I thought he was having a stroke and was prepared to put him to sleep ... thank goodness he is a tough cookie ! .. hmmmmmmm.. makes me wonder now ! Sherry
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