Preventive Medications (Flea, Tick and Worms) 

While we prefer to use plant-based therapies where possible. We do need to consider using some preventive medications depending on your pet’s individual risks. 

While APVMA approves all medications in Australia to be generally safe, certain pets do not thrive on certain medications. 

As such we prefer to make recommendations based on individual assessment of your pet’s risks and benefits. 

As a general rule, if effective therapies are available that have less duration of action (i.e. monthly instead of 3 monthly, or monthly instead of annual, like bravecto and proheart) we generally go for the shorter-acting one in case adverse events occur. 

For most pets in Sydney, provided they are safe to receive the medication, and do not show any adverse reactions (“negative side-effects”) we usually will recommend the following due, mostly to compelling risk of Tick paralysis, and, less prevalent, but still life-threatening, heartworm, and increasingly lungworm infestation.

A common canine protocol we employ is the following, but please check with your vet; 

1. Nexgard on a 30 day schedule when in tick risk areas. 

2. Milbemax on a 47-50 day schedule, bringing dose forward by 3 days if due for Nexgard on the same day, please do not miss the 50 day dose frequency as this can cause lapses in protection. If uncomfortable with this, move back to the vlabel dose of ONCE every 30 days. 

3. Liver detox in June with Silymarin supplementation +/- skipping a month of treatment based on individual vet risk assessment. This covers heartworm, flea, tick, intestinal worm, lungworm. 

This protocol is not appropriate for cats, please discuss a protocol with your vet. 

Please protect your pet from other chemicals that may affect their health, insecticides, floor cleaners, disinfectants, fragrance, deodorisers, weed-spray, rat/snail poisons, silica (meat pack trays), chocolate, medications, chewing gum (xylitol).