07/16/2026
We are always looking for ways to better protect our patients and with tick-borne disease increasingly prevalent and Lone Star and Asian Longhorned ticks on the move, we have decided after careful consideration, to transition to Credelio Quattro US as our primary combination preventative. While we are excited about this change, we know there are always questions surrounding preventative medications. We'll answer a few here, but please don't hesitate to reach out to us as we start to utilize this new preventative option!
How does this product compare to Simparica Trio?
Recent trials have shown that the primary advantage to lotilaner (the active ingredient in Credelio) over sarolaner (Simparica Trio) is that it is able to kill ticks faster for longer. While both products are FDA-approved for prevention of Lyme disease, Credelio will help to better protect against other tick-borne diseases that are transmitted faster (such as Anaplasma and Ehrlichia).
Wait, Lone Star and Asian Longhorned ticks?! I thought we only had to worry about Deer and Dog ticks!
I know, we miss the good old days of Deer and Dog ticks, too... With milder seasonal weather patterns and natural movement of people and animals, ticks are able to complete their life cycles faster, reproduce more frequently, and increasingly spread disease. Lone Star and Asian Longhorned ticks are becoming more common in the Northeast and will continue to present new infectious risks moving forward. Credelio Quattro has been shown to consistently kill these newer species of tick faster than other currently available products.
I recognize the active ingredients moxidectin (heartworm protection) and pyrantel (roundworm and hookworm dewormer) but what is praziquantel?
Praziquantel is a deworming agent used to treat tapeworm. If you have ever called us about seeing rice-like worms in your dog stools, you will have been dispensed a deworming product containing praziquantel to give to your dogs. Tapeworms are often transmitted via ingestion of fleas but can also be transmitted through ingestion of dead wildlife. Echinococcus, a highly zoonotic tapeworm parasite (meaning transmissible from animal to human), presents a significant human health concern in other parts of the world. (Fortunately, there have been no locally acquired cases in Massachusetts to date).
While we're talking about zoonotic parasites, what is screwworm?
New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a species of parasitic blowfly whose larvae feed on living tissue (unlike other species of fly larvae which only feed on necrotic or diseased tissue). Until recently, New World Screwworm had been eliminated in North America as a result of robust eradication and sterile fly programs. It has now reappeared in the southern U.S. presenting a significant threat to livestock and domestic animals across the U.S.
Credelio Quattro has been conditionally approved by the FDA to treat New World Screwworm and our team has been trained to recognize these infections should they present to us in the Northeast.
I'm worried about this product causing seizures in my dog or other kinds of harm, is this really the best thing to be doing for them?
We understand. And it would be a misrepresentation to say that use of any pharmaceutical is without risk. Whenever giving a new product to your pet (whether it be a monthly preventative, NSAID, heart medication, supplement, or food) we always recommend giving it on a day when you are able to monitor your pet for any adverse reactions and to know where to go for veterinary care, if needed. If your dog has epilepsy or there is suspicion of a possible seizure disorder, this product may not be appropriate for your pet (a doctor or certified veterinary technician can discuss with you in more detail whether this product is safe for them or not). Heartworm, tick-borne disease, gastrointestinal parasitism, and now screwworm, all present serious health concerns with long-term consequences for our pets and the potential for harming the well-being of their human companions. Preventative products have and will continue to be critical in the protection against these diseases.
Questions? Concerns? Reach out to us at [email protected] or call us at (978) 468-4408. We're here to help - our pets are our patients too🐾💙
