What Sentinel Does and Doesn’t Protect Your Dog From
As a pet owner, ensuring your dog’s health isn't just about vaccinations and quality food — it's also about parasite prevention.
Sentinel Flavor Tabs are a popular choice for many veterinarians and dog owners alike due to their broad protection, but there are crucial details to understand about what they do and don’t cover.
What Sentinel Protects Against
Sentinel Flavor Tabs offer comprehensive coverage against a variety of parasites. When used monthly as directed by a veterinarian, Sentinel helps protect your dog in the following ways:
- Prevents heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis.
- Controls flea populations by preventing flea eggs from developing into adults.
- Treats and controls intestinal parasites like adult hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms:
- Ancylostoma caninum (hookworms)
- Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina (roundworms)
- Trichuris vulpis (whipworms)
The active ingredients—
milbemycin oxime and
lufenuron—work together for this multi-faceted protection. Milbemycin oxime is responsible for eliminating heartworm larvae and intestinal worms, while lufenuron inhibits the development of flea eggs.
What Sentinel Does Not Cover
Despite its broad-spectrum efficacy, Sentinel is not a stand-alone solution. Here's what Sentinel does
not protect or treat:
- Does not kill adult fleas – Lufenuron interferes with the development cycle of fleas but doesn’t affect adult fleas. Therefore, a separate adulticide treatment may be needed for active infestations.
- Not effective against ticks – Unlike some other preventatives, Sentinel provides no protection against ticks, which are common carriers of dangerous diseases like Lyme disease or Ehrlichiosis.
- Not for use in cats or horses – Sentinel is formulated specifically for dogs and is not safe or effective for use in other species.
When to Combine Sentinel with Other Treatments
In specific scenarios, combining Sentinel with other preventives may be recommended by your vet:
- For rapid flea elimination – Adding an adulticide like a topical flea treatment can help reduce immediate flea burdens in heavily infested dogs.
- For tick prevention – Pairing with a tick-repellent is essential if you're in an area with a high tick population.
Dosage and Administration
Sentinel is dispensed in flavor-coated, chewable tablets that are administered once a month. Packages are color-coded by weight class:
- 2–10 lbs: 2.3 mg milbemycin oxime / 46 mg lufenuron
- 11–25 lbs: 5.75 mg / 115 mg
- 26–50 lbs: 11.5 mg / 230 mg
- 51–100 lbs: 23 mg / 460 mg
For dogs over 100 lbs, combine tablet sizes appropriately. Always administer Sentinel
immediately after or with a meal to ensure it’s properly absorbed, particularly lufenuron.
Important Considerations Before Starting Sentinel
Before you begin your dog’s Sentinel regimen, consider the following:
- Heartworm Testing – Perform a heartworm test before beginning to avoid complications from pre-existing infections.
- Age/Weight Requirements – Sentinel is approved for puppies as young as 4 weeks and over 2 pounds.
- Medication Interactions – Inform your vet about other medications your pet is on, especially cyclosporine, azole antifungals, and erythromycin.
Safety and Side Effects
Sentinel has undergone extensive testing in various breeds, including collies and breeding dogs. It is considered safe for adults, puppies, and even pregnant pets. Nonetheless, some dogs may experience side effects such as:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Hypersalivation
- Ataxia or convulsions (rare)
Storage and Usage Tips
To maintain Sentinel’s efficacy:
- Keep tablets stored in the original packaging in a dry place at 59–77°F (15–25°C).
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
If you forget a dose and more than 30 days pass, administer it as soon as you remember and resume monthly dosing. For missed doses, consult with your vet for the best plan of action.
Conclusion
Sentinel Flavor Tabs are highly effective in protecting dogs from a wide range of internal parasites and interrupting the life cycle of fleas. However, they
do not kill adult fleas or prevent ticks, making it essential to use them as part of a comprehensive parasite control strategy under the guidance of your veterinarian. Understanding its strengths and limitations ensures that your dog remains healthy and well-protected all year round.
