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Is Vethical Comboguard safe for my dog? Are there alternatives?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 29 days old | 9 lbs

My veterinarian is prescribing vethical comboguard, I've heard some bad things, is it safe enough or should I try something else?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 30th, 2017

This drug appears to be a generic form of the drug Trifexis, which is used to prevent heartworms, intestinal parasites and fleas. Most dogs take this drug without issue. The most common side effect is vomiting or GI upset and giving the drug with a meal can help decrease the chances of this. I have had a few pets seem lethargic the day they take the medication, but that is the most severe side effect I have noted. It is not recommended in dogs with a history of seizures. You can find all sorts of scary reports on the internet about different drugs and food people are convinced killed their dogs, but often these people are just looking for an easy explanation for what happened to their dog and most of the time the heartworm prevenatative is NOT the cause of what happened. You can review their safety information and product label at http://vethical.com/dogs/comboguard/. If you still feel uncomfortable using the product you can ask your vet for a different medication for heartworms and a separate one for fleas, but often these online stories are blown out of proportion!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hello That product is generally safe but with any medication there can be negative reactions in individual cases. If you have concerns then discussing the potential negative reactions as alternative heartworm prevention options with you veterinarian is the best next step

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