Comprehensive Protection with Sentinel for Dogs
Sentinel Flavor Tabs offer a trusted, once-monthly solution for dog owners seeking comprehensive parasite control for their pets. With its dual-action formula, Sentinel not only prevents heartworm disease but also combats a range of intestinal parasites and inhibits flea reproduction, ensuring your dog's health and comfort year-round.
What Is Sentinel?
Sentinel Flavor Tabs are beef or pork liver-flavored chewable tablets administered once per month to protect dogs and puppies from multiple parasites. These prescription-only tablets contain two main active ingredients:
- Milbemycin oxime – An antiparasitic agent that targets heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
- Lufenuron – A flea control agent that disrupts flea egg development, effectively breaking the flea life cycle.
Parasites Sentinel Protects Against
Sentinel offers broad-spectrum protection, effectively preventing the onset of several parasite-related conditions.
- Heartworm Disease (Dirofilaria immitis) – Sentinel inhibits heartworm larvae from developing into adult worms, providing key preventative care.
- Hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) – Eliminates adult hookworms that can cause anemia and gastrointestinal upset.
- Roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) – Targets adult roundworms responsible for poor growth and digestive issues in dogs.
- Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) – Controls whipworm infections that may lead to diarrhea and weight loss.
- Flea Eggs – Lufenuron prevents flea eggs from hatching, curtailing infestations before they start. Note that adult fleas are not killed, so additional flea adulticides may be necessary for immediate relief.
Convenient Dosing Based on Weight
Sentinel Flavor Tabs are available in four color-coded sizes based on your dog’s body weight:
- 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, suitable combinations of tablets are used to match their weight range.
Administration and Storage
Sentinel should be given orally once a month, ideally with a meal for optimal absorption, especially of lufenuron. Although the chewable tablets are palatable to most dogs, ensuring the entire dose is consumed is critical for efficacy.
Store the tablets in their original packaging at room temperature (59–77°F / 15–25°C) and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Use Recommendations and Safety Guidelines
Before beginning Sentinel, perform a heartworm test and continue yearly testing. If a dose is missed, administer it as soon as possible and return to the regular schedule. Dogs currently on daily heartworm preventives should transition to Sentinel within 30 days of the last dose.
In dogs that are heartworm-positive, treat for both adult heartworms and microfilariae prior to beginning Sentinel to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
Sentinel has been tested for safety in various breeds, including sensitive collie types, pregnant and breeding dogs, and puppies as young as 4 weeks and weighing a minimum of 2 lbs.
Common Side Effects
While generally safe, some dogs may experience mild, transient side effects, including:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Itching or urticaria (hives)
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia or reduced appetite
- Nervous system symptoms like ataxia and convulsions
In dogs with high microfilariae counts, hypersensitivity reactions such as labored breathing or salivation may occur.
Drug Interactions and Precautions
Inform your veterinarian of any medications your dog is taking. Sentinel may interact with drugs such as:
- Cyclosporine
- Amiodarone
- Azole antifungals
- Erythromycin
Final Thoughts
Sentinel helps prevent serious health threats to your dog through a monthly, easy-to-administer medication. Its combination of parasite control and flea management makes it a practical, effective choice for long-term canine healthcare. Always consult your veterinarian to ensure it’s the right fit for your pet.
