Sentinel for Dogs

Sentinel for dogs is a preventive medication that primarily protects your pet from contracting heartworm infections, hookworm infections and roundworm infections. The medication also prevents the development of whipworm infections and flea eggs. The medication is recommended for all pets, particularly those that are at highest risk of contracting these infections.

How Does Sentinel Work?

Sentinel contains two active ingredients namely, Milbemycin oxime and Lufenuron. While Milbemycin oxime eliminates heartworm larvae and kills adult whipworms, hookworms and roundworms, Lufenuron destroys flea eggs as it’s an insect growth inhibitor. Although the medication is effective on the parasites mentioned above, it isn’t effective on ticks or adult fleas.

Due to this reason, you may have to administer Sentinel in conjunction with another flea preventive drug to completely get rid of your pet’s flea and tick problem.

Dosage and Administration

Sentinel is available as a chewable tablet that’s artificially flavored for palatability. The medication should only be given to those dogs that are over 4 weeks of age. Pets that weigh between 2 and 10 pounds should be given one tablet from the brown box, once a month. Dogs that weigh between 11 and 25 pounds should be given one tablet from the green box, once every month.

Pets whose weight ranges from 26 to 50 pounds require one tablet from the yellow box, once a month while those that weigh between 51 and 100 pounds should be given one tablet from the white box, once a month. This medication should be given all through the year in order to protect your pet from developing heartworms. Sentinel should be given orally and you must ensure that your pet ingests the entire dose so that the tablet can take effect.

Precautions

If your dog has had an adverse reaction to Milbemycin oxime or Lufenuron in the past you should avoid giving your pet this medication. You should also test your dog for heartworm infections before you start giving him Sentinel. In addition to this, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after you pick up and dispose your pet’s feces as worms may be present in your pet’s stools. This will prevent you from contracting worm infections from your pet.

Some dogs may develop certain adverse reactions or side effects to the drug. You should therefore watch your pet closely and seek medical help if you see any of the symptoms given below.

Side Effects Include:

Depression

Seizures

Drooling

Weakness

Hives

Loss of appetite

Tips for Pet Owners

Although these symptoms are generally associated with an overdose, some pets may be more sensitive to the drug than others. You should also make sure you keep your pet’s environment clean so that you don’t have to rely on medications to control worm and flea infections.

Sentinel should be administered exactly according to the vet’s instructions since it’s a prescription drug. It should also not be combined with other heartworm medicines as it may cause certain drug interactions.

 

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