12 Covetrus
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covetrus.com
Topical, Oral, or Injectable:
How to Present
the Best Options
for Year-Round
Parasite Prevention
BY RHIANNON KOEHLER, DVM, MPH
V
eterinary teams have more parasiticide
options to recommend for their patients
than ever before—from well-established
topical and oral formulations to newer long-
acting injectables currently available for canine
patients. Having a range of options makes it
easier for the veterinary team to find the right
solution for an individual pet and client, but it
also adds more nuance to the conversation
leading up to the development of the pet's
prevention plan.
The clinical differentiators
that matter
Which formulation to choose comes down
to four primary variables: the pet's coverage
needs, patient candidacy, client lifestyle, and
compliance likelihood. Veterinarians already
know that the Companion Animal Parasite
Council (CAPC) recommends year-round
parasite protection for all dogs and cats.
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They also know that the veterinary team
must understand the specific parasite risks in
their area and which parasites are covered
by each product to inform their specific
recommendations. Rather than discussing
which specific branded products cover which
parasites and the potential indications and
adverse effects of each, we're focused on what
makes each formulation (topical, oral, or long-
acting injectable) useful clinically, what the
limitations of the formulations are, and which
patients and client profiles each formulation
might suit best.
Overview
• Topical preventatives:
The primary option for
feline patients
• Oral preventatives:
Broad canine coverage,
more limited for cats
• Long-acting injectables:
A new compliance model
for canine patients
