Capstar Flea Treatment Tablets vs. Simparica Comparison

Capstar Flea Treatment Tablets

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Simparica

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Trifexis

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Kills Fleas

Repels Fleas

Kills Flea eggs and Larvae

Kills Ticks

Repels Ticks

Kills and/or Repels Mosquitoes

Prevents Heartworm

Other Parasites Information

Treats and controls hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms infections.

Waterproof (shampooing once a week can reduce effectiveness)

Not Applicable

N/A

Safe for pregnant or nursing Pets

The safe use of Simparica has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs.

Consult your veterinarian

How long does it take to work

Kills fleas in 30 minutes.

Begins to kill adult fleas within 3 hours and ticks within 8 hours of administration.

Starts to kill fleas within 30 minutes; kills 100% of fleas within 4 hours.

Taste

Unflavored Tablet

Liver flavor

Beef Flavor

Active Ingredient(s)

Nitenpyram

sarolaner

Spinosad/Milbemycin Oxime

RX Required

Dosage

Usage

Video

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Vet Review

This is a wonderful quick kill short duration flea adulticide that begins killing adult fleas within 30 minutes. It does not leave pesticide residue on the pet or in the home, and when combined with its sister product Program, offers an excellent non-pesticidal alternative for all around flea control to topical pesticides that some clients are concerned about. I have rarely seen any side effects in my clinical experience in using this product. I have used it up to once daily in flea infested animals, but more commonly I use it once or twice weekly during flea transmission season along with the once monthly Program product. Another wonderful advantage of this product is its safety in administering it to pregnant or nursing dogs, who can often be a big source of fleas to their nursing puppies or kittens. The biggest disadvantage to this product is that it only kills adult fleas, but this problem is easily circumvented by combining it with the Program product.

Within the past few years, we have seen a surge of new flea and tick parasiticides for dogs and cats, especially important as we are discovering increased transmission of health-threatening disease to our animal companions. In the past year, the very trustworthy and reliable pharmaceutical company Zoetis has come out with a revolutionary liver flavored chewable tablet, Simparica, that is highly effective against fleas and multiple species of ticks. Compared to similar oral tablets, as well as other topical products, I find that Simparica works even more quickly than competitor products, starting to kill fleas within 3 hours, and ticks within 8 hours. Unlike other products labeled for monthly use, studies and my clinical experience show that Simparica is actually effective up to 35 days, not dropping off in efficacy as many other products do in killing fleas and ticks toward the end of the month. I also find that the many flexible dosing packages offer convenience to canine guardians, even in small dogs who weigh under 5 pounds. In addition to the efficacy against fleas and ticks, the product is also labeled effective against scabies mites. Many veterinarians and dermatologists are also now reaching for Simparica as a quick, safe and effective off-label treatment of demodex mange mites, which have long been very difficult to manage in veterinary medicine. I have found that in many cases one dose of Simparica will clear up many demodex mange cases within one month of the first pill. I have found that most dogs tolerate this product very well, especially when given with food. I have occasionally seen mild digestive upset in some sensitive pets, as well as rare neurological reactions. If a dog has a history of seizures, I would probably be cautious in using this product or ones of a similar class. Most dogs readily take this chewable tablet. I give this product an overall rating of a 4.5, with an efficacy of 4.5, and ease of use a 4.5.

An exciting and brand new product now available combines the main ingredient of Interceptor milbemycin with a powerful flea insecticide known as spinosad. Given as a once monthly heartworm preventative, this product also will control and prevent whipworms, hookworms and roundworms, in addition to preventing heartworms. The additional ingredient spinosad allows effective flea and these internal parasite control all in one pill, making it quite convenient for clients. As with any pesticide rare digestive tract and neurological side effects may occur but this has not been a major problem in clinical trials. Since it is relatively new I will have to see how this product performs on the fleas but it seems to have excellent potential. I give this product an overall rating of a 5 with an ease of administration a 5 as well, taste a 5.

Our expert panel consists of licensed veterinarians and the knowledgeable staff of PetMed Express, Inc. d/b/a 1-800-PetMeds. Neither the Company nor any of its employees or consultants make any warranties, expressed or implied, or representations about the accuracy or completeness of the content or the content of any site or external sites. Likewise, no legal liability or responsibility is assumed for the accuracy or completeness of any information, or usefulness of products discussed. While every effort has been made to accurately represent the qualities and characteristics of each product, which for the most part were taken directly from the websites of the manufacturers, we are not responsible for any errors. The information presented is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.