At Vets to Pets, we believe quality veterinary care starts with time, trust, and personalized attention. By providing gold-standard patient care – from preventive wellness exams and lab testing to imaging and chronic care management – we’re able to care for pets in the comfort of your own home while helping owners make informed decisions with confidence.

When it comes to preventive care, parasite protection is one of the most important steps you can take for your pet’s health. Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites are more than minor nuisances. They can lead to skin infections, allergic reactions, tick-borne diseases, heart and lung damage, digestive problems, and in some cases, life-threatening illness.

Consistent, year-round prevention helps protect your pet before these problems ever begin.

At Vets to Pets, our goal is to help you pick the parasite‑control plan that best fits your pet’s lifestyle, health history, and risk, not just the “one‑size‑fits‑all” option. Below are common choices, what they do, and when they make sense.

Common Parasite Control Options: What They Cover

ProHeart 12 (injectable)

ProHeart 12 is a once-yearly injection that provides long-lasting heartworm prevention.

  • Protects against: Heartworms
  • Does not protect against: Fleas or ticks
  • Often paired with Bravecto Quantum for flea and tick protection

This option works well for busy households or dogs who have difficulty taking monthly medications.

Bravecto Quantum (injectable)

Bravecto Quantum is a once-a-year injectable treatment designed to provide long-lasting protection against fleas and several common tick species. It offers up to 12 months of flea and tick coverage with a single injection. However, it does not protect against heartworms or intestinal parasites, which means it is typically paired with ProHeart 12 for complete heartworm prevention. This option is especially appealing to owners who prefer reliable, long-term flea and tick protection without the need for monthly dosing.

Simparica Trio

Simparica Trio is a monthly chewable that combines several types of parasite protection into one convenient product. It protects against fleas, multiple tick species, heartworm disease, roundworms, and hookworms. Because it covers both external and internal parasites in a single dose, it simplifies prevention by eliminating the need for multiple medications. This makes it a strong choice for dogs who need broad, consistent protection, particularly in areas where several types of parasites are common.

Simparica (single)

Simparica is a monthly chewable that focuses specifically on flea and tick prevention. It effectively protects against fleas and several tick species but does not provide coverage for heartworms or intestinal parasites. For that reason, dogs taking Simparica will also need a separate heartworm preventive to ensure complete protection.

Bravecto Chewables

Bravecto chewables provide extended flea and tick protection for up to 12 weeks with a single dose. This longer duration can be helpful for pets and owners who prefer fewer doses throughout the year. However, Bravecto does not protect against heartworms or intestinal parasites, so it must be combined with a heartworm preventive to achieve full parasite coverage.

NexGard

NexGard is a monthly chewable that targets fleas and ticks. While it offers effective protection against these external parasites, it does not cover heartworms or intestinal worms. Dogs taking NexGard will need an additional heartworm preventive to ensure comprehensive protection.

Heartgard Plus

Heartgard Plus is a monthly oral medication that prevents heartworm disease by eliminating heartworm larvae before they mature. It also treats certain intestinal parasites, including roundworms and hookworms. However, it does not provide protection against fleas or ticks, so it is commonly used alongside a flea and tick preventive product.

Revolution / Revolution Plus

Revolution and Revolution Plus are monthly topical treatments applied directly to the skin. Depending on the formulation and species, they protect against heartworms, fleas, and in some cases ticks, mites, ear mites, and certain intestinal parasites. These products are particularly useful for pets who have difficulty taking oral medications. Revolution Plus is commonly recommended for cats who need broader parasite protection in a single monthly topical application.

At Vets to Pets

Parasite prevention isn’t as simple as picking one product and forgetting about it. Different medications cover different parasites. Some pets need combination therapy to ensure complete protection.

The right plan depends on:

  • Your pet’s age and medical history
  • Lifestyle and outdoor exposure
  • Whether you have multiple pets
  • Ease of administration (injectable, chewable, or topical)
  • Your ability to stay consistent with dosing

At Vets to Pets, we work with you to design a prevention plan that fits your pet’s individual needs and your daily routine.