Simparica Vs. Simparica Trio

Simparica and Simparica Trio are effective medications for preventing fleas and ticks in dogs. While both provide excellent protection, Simparica Trio offers additional heartworm prevention. The best choice for your dog depends on whether they are already receiving a heartworm preventive.

Parasite prevention is essential for all dogs, regardless of climate. Ticks and fleas are common issues for pet owners and can pose severe risks to your dog. Heartworm is another dangerous parasite that can be fatal if not properly treated.

Simparica and Simparica Trio, both from Zoetis, effectively treat and prevent dog parasites. However, they serve different purposes. The right choice for your dog depends on their current preventives and overall health needs. It's important to consult your vet to determine the best option for your pet.

What Is Simparica?

Simparica is an oral chewable tablet with the active ingredient sarolaner, used to treat and prevent fleas and various types of ticks in dogs. It effectively protects against the Gulf Coast tick, black-legged tick, American dog tick, lone star tick, and brown dog tick. Simparica is suitable for dogs and puppies over six months old and weighing more than 2.8 pounds.

Additionally, Simparica is used off-label to treat sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange, and ear mites in dogs. Off-label use refers to administering a medication in a manner or species not specified on the label. Your veterinarian can determine if Simparica is appropriate for your pet's needs.

What Is Simparica Trio?

Simparica Trio includes two additional active ingredients, moxidectin and pyrantel. This medication prevents heartworm disease, treats and prevents flea infestations, controls tick infestations, and treats roundworms and hookworms. Simparica Trio is suitable for puppies and dogs over eight weeks old and weighing more than 2.8 pounds.

Comparing The Protection Offered By Simparica and Simparica Trio

Both Simparica and Simparica Trio protect dogs against various parasites. Here's a summary of their capabilities:

Simparica

• Fleas: Kills adult fleas; treats and prevents flea infestations.
• Ticks: The only monthly chew approved for dogs to kill five types of ticks, including lone star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, American dog ticks, black-legged ticks, and brown dog ticks.
• Lyme Disease: Killing black-legged (deer) ticks helps prevent Lyme disease infections.

Simparica Trio

• Fleas: Eliminates adult fleas before they can lay eggs; treats and prevents flea infestations.
• Ticks: Approved to kill five types of ticks, including black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, brown dog ticks, and Gulf Coast ticks.
• Heartworms: Prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis.
• Gastrointestinal Worms: Treats and controls roundworm and hookworm infections.
• Lyme Disease: Recommended for the prevention of Lyme disease due to the effective killing of black-legged ticks.

How Simparica And Simparica Trio Works?

Simparica and Simparica Trio are effective flea, tick, and parasite preventatives for dogs, each with unique active ingredients. Here's how they work:

Simparica

• The active ingredient, sarolaner, is part of the isoxazolines class of flea and tick preventatives.
• Sarolaner is ingested by fleas and ticks when they bite, causing over-excitation of their nervous system, leading to paralysis and death.
• This medication starts working within hours to kill fleas on your dog.
• It is dosed by weight, making it crucial to use the correct size for your pet. Regularly weighing your dog ensures accurate dosing.

Simparica Trio

• In addition to sarolaner, Simparica Trio contains moxidectin and pyrantel.
• Moxidectin: Affects susceptible worms such as heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms by shifting chloride, an essential electrolyte, across their cell membranes. This disrupts their nervous system, causing muscle paralysis and death.
• Pyrantel: Works by paralyzing gastrointestinal worms, which are then expelled through feces. Pyrantel is not absorbed into the bloodstream, targeting only parasites in the gastrointestinal tract.

Usage Of Simparica And Simparica Trio

Dosage Instructions

• Adhere to the instructions on the label or those given by your veterinarian.
• Administer Simparica or Simparica Trio once a month, orally, with or without food.

Did you miss a Dose?

• Consult your veterinarian if you forget to give a dose. Generally, it would help to administer the missed dose as soon as you remember and then continue with the regular monthly schedule.
• Do not give extra or double doses. If a significant amount of time has passed since the last dose, fleas may appear temporarily.
• For Simparica Trio, your veterinarian might recommend a heartworm test if a dose is missed.

Potential Side Effects Of Simparica And Simparica Trio

Simparica and Simparica Trio are generally well-tolerated by most pets, but side effects can occur. These may include:

Common Side Effects:

• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite

Neurologic Side Effects:

Medications in this class can cause neurological issues. Inform your vet if your dog has a history of seizures or other neurological conditions. Neurologic side effects may include:

• Muscle tremors
• Lack of coordination
• Seizures

Human Side Effects:

• These medications are not intended for human use.
• Wash your hands after administering the medication.

Monitoring:

• Test pets for existing heartworm infections before starting Simparica Trio.
• Dogs with heartworm infections should be treated for adult heartworms before resuming this medication, as Simparica Trio does not eliminate adult heartworms.
• Your veterinarian may recommend additional monitoring or routine testing based on your pet's needs.

Contact Your Veterinarian If:

• Severe side effects occur
• Your pet's condition deteriorates or shows no signs of improvement.
• You suspect an overdose
• Do you have any questions or concerns about the use of Simparica or Simparica Trio

How Long Does It Takes To Work

How Quickly They Work:

Simparica and Simparica Trio are both fast-acting treatments for fleas and ticks, but their effectiveness timelines differ slightly.

• Simparica:
  • Begins eliminating adult fleas within three hours.
  • Eliminates fleas within eight hours of administration.
• Simparica Trio:
  • Begins eliminating adult fleas within four hours.
  • Eliminates fleas within eight hours of administration.

Both treatments effectively kill fleas before they can lay eggs, providing quick relief for your dog.

Storage Of Simparica And Simparica Trio

• Store Simparica and Simparica Trio at or below 86°F.
• Short-term exposure to temperatures up to 104°F is acceptable.
• Keep both medications in their original blister packs until ready to use to protect them from moisture and light.
• Always refer to the label for detailed storage instructions.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

The Bottom Line

Simparica and Simparica Trio effectively protect your dog from fleas and ticks. However, Simparica Trio also offers protection against heartworms and eliminates internal parasites like hookworms and roundworms.

When deciding between Simparica and Simparica Trio, consider your dog's specific needs. If your dog is already on a monthly heartworm preventive, Simparica might be sufficient. However, Simparica Trio provides the convenience of a single monthly chewable for comprehensive protection.

Consult a vet today to see if switching to Simparica Trio is right for your dog's all-in-one preventative needs.

Comparison Table Of Simparica And Simparica Trio