Hi Dog Obsessed. As you know I’ve been using Sentinel for years and years with absolutely no issues whatsoever. I switched to Sentinel Spectrum approx. 3 months ago. I think that’s when the other old time worm med was added.
As to the reason that I do not use Heartgard is two fold. One, Sentinel has always worked for all dogs I’ve had on it. I’ve never had a HW issue or flea or worm issue while they’ve (present and past dogs). Two, I’ve called and spoken to people at Merial (the makers of Heartgard) and they will not give me the list of inactive ingredients because they say it is proprietary information and they are not allowed to disclose this information. For me, that ended any thoughts on using their product. Other companies give out ingredients and inactive ingredients but they choose not to? Because it’s proprietary information? What’s in it that they choose for me not to know? Anyway, that response did not sit well with me.
As to BC’s response to you. She’s absolutely correct. You really would be hard pressed to find a HW preventative or most any other meds that don’t have one or two ingredients that you’re not going to be happy with. I’m not thrilled with some of the ingredients in Sentinel Spectrum but at least I know that they are in there. And also as BC said, I’m not concerned about the minute amount that might be ingested either monthly or every 40 – 45 days. They will most likely detox any of it before their next dose. It doesn’t stay in them forever or you wouldn’t have to give monthly or every 40 – 45 days. My girls are in good health nutritionally speaking and their immune systems are working as they should be so that I’m pretty confident their systems can deal with it just fine. Even Hannah’s blood work all comes back normal at this point. If I had a sickly, immune compromised dog I’m not sure what I would do. But I don’t so I don’t have to worry about it. As I’ve always said to you, imho, the cure for HW is much worse than the prevention. You have to make a choice which way to go and I made mine. Some people choose not to give any HW preventative and take their chances. That’s just not me. You could drive yourself crazy with every ingredient in every med, preventative, shampoo, food, etc. etc. but at some point you’ll need to make a choice and let the issue go.
