General Product Information
Sentinel is an oral medication that is intended for monthly application. Its primary use is for heartworm, roundworm, and hookworm prevention. The manufacturer claims that Sentinel is currently the only medication on the market that is meant for once-a-month administration. In addition to the aforementioned pests, Sentinel is also an effective treatment for whipworms, as well as an effective deterrent against the development of flea eggs.
Sentinel is available only by prescription from a licensed veterinarian, and is intended only for dogs four weeks or older that weigh 2 pounds or more. Among the benefits of Sentinel as claimed by the manufacturer are its palatable flavor and sufficient potency to require only a once a month administration.
Sentinel
The primary ingredient in Sentinel is Milbemycin Oxime, which is an effective deterrent against heartworm larvae – particularly during its development stage – as well as adult hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. The other active ingredient in Sentinel, Lufenuron, effectively serves as an inhibitor that prevents the development of flea eggs. This ingredient prevents most of the flea eggs from hatching, thereby preventing a full-blown flea infestation.
It is important to make sure that you give Sentinel in only the proper doses, which is dependent on the weight of your dog. You should also take your dog to a veterinarian prior to commencing Sentinel treatment so that he could be tested for heartworms. As with all medication, it is essential to keep Sentinel away from pets and children.
Sentinel may also be given to your dog along with Capstar, which is a flea treatment medication. Sentinel is manufactured by Novartis, and is available in packages of 6 and 12 doses.
Possible Side Effects As Acknowledged By The Manufacturer
Among the possible side effects that you could expect to notice in your pet upon administering Sentinel are: drowsiness, vomiting, reduced appetite, diarrhea, general weakness or lethargy, and in certain cases, seizures. According to the manufacturer however, these side effects are quite rare. Nevertheless, if you notice these and any other side effects in your pet, you should bring him/her to a veterinarian immediately.
Customer Reviews And Ratings
Most customers generally report favorable results from using Sentinel with their pets. One customer for example, has been giving her Jack Russell terrier Sentinel for more than 10 years. The dog in question undergoes routine heartworm testing every year, and has consistently come up negative.
The same customer reports giving Sentinel to a poodle that was suffering from a major case of heartworm. After only a few weeks of using Sentinel, this dog was tested negative for heartworm and intestinal worm infestation.
One other customer reports giving Sentinel to her dogs their entire lives, with not a single case of heartworm infestation registered during that entire time. Even more impressive was the fact that these dogs were routinely taken to a park for walks, where they regularly encounter several other dogs. In spite of this constant exposure to other dogs, not one of her pets has been tested positive for heartworm while taking Sentinel.
Still another customer reports that her six-month-old German Shepherd appears to particularly enjoy the flavor of Sentinel, and she has no trouble at all giving the medication to her pet. This is in stark contrast to her experiences with other medications, which required mixing with food before her dogs would take it. The German Shepherd in question has been treated with Sentinel throughout his whole life, and has yet to experience a single episode of flea, tick, or worm infestation, despite living in an area known for the prevalence of these pests.
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