DoctorPup Complimentary Service

Flea treatments

Q: My puppy was given Fontline flea and tick on July 12th. She is now 13 weeks old and weighs 3.3 lbs. She now has fleas and I think I saw tapeworms in her stool. I am taking her to the vet tomorrow, but is it safe to give her trifexis or comfortis? I have read that with trifexis the dog has to be 5lbs and 8 weeks old, and comfortis the dog has to be 3.3 lbs and 14 weeks old...

A: Your question about flea treatments brings up a very good point. The minimum age and weight brackets are meant as a guideline only. If your puppy is slightly outside of the recommended age or weight does not mean that the product w8ll be harmful but only that you may need to make an adjustment in how the product is administered. Your vet can guide you in selection and dosage. For the tapeworms, be sure you mention that you saw tapeworms in the stool to your vet. The standard "worm check" does not routinely pick up tapeworms and typical "dewormers" are not effective against tapeworms. The best approach is if you see tapeworm segments in the stool treat with either Cestex or Droncit.