Veterinarian Warns Pet Owners To Be Skeptical Of Online Rumors About Trifexis
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Scary stories posted on Facebook about a flea and heartworm drug for dogs called Trifexis is causing worry among pet owners.
Some people claim it's made their dogs sick, or even killed them. But a local veterinarian says it's best to consult the experts before making any judgements on your own.
Eamonn Kneeshaw, of Clearwater, Florida, says he believes Trifexis killed his 12-year-old dog, Harry.
"I hated it, hated it. I still think about it," said Kneeshaw.
He's not alone in his belief.
There's a Facebook page called, "Does Trifexis Kill Dogs?" It has thousands of likes.
But Dr. Mike Hutchinson, of Animal General in Cranberry Township, says be wary of what's online.
"Be careful what you read on the Internet and what you deduce from that," he says. "Speak to your veterinarian if you're concerned about your pet."
Dr. Hutchinson says autopsies are rarely done on dogs so it can be hard to pinpoint why some dogs die. But he says all the research done on Trifexis shows it's safe, and he says thousands of clinics routinely prescribe it.
He does not, and there's a reason for it.
"Western Pennsylvania, not many of us use it because it doesn't kill ticks; and of course; we have a tick problem here in western Pa., so we use products that kill fleas and ticks. Trifexis does not," he says.
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The warnings about Trifexis have been circulating online for a few years.
As recently as last year, Elanco, the maker of Trifexis, said it couldn't find any proof the pill caused any dog's death.
