There are four approved products for heartworm control in dogs at the present time: ivermectin, selamectin, and milbemycin. All work well for heartworm prevention. They vary in their ability to control other parasites but usually heartworm prevention is the major concern.
Once a month topical applications' ingredients generally include permethrin, pyrethrin, imidacloprid, or fipronil. Examples of these products include Bio Spot for Dogs, Defend, K9 Advantix for Dogs, and Frontline Top Spot. Revolution, which contains selamectin, is a monthly topical product that controls American Dog Ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) only.
In severely tick-infested areas the Preventic Tick Collar in addition to a permethrin-containing product such as Bio Spot is going to give your dog the best protection. This collar contains Amitraz, which is FDA approved to use in conjunction with most other flea and tick products. With the Preventic Collar, 95% of the ticks will detach and die within 24 hours.
Lynn Salmon <>{
Last Updated: July 7, 2023
