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What Flea & Tick Preventatives Actually Do Inside Your Dog

April 1, 2026 · 39 min

Show notes

Flea and tick preventatives are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in veterinary medicine, but how do they actually work? In this episode, holistic dog health educator Bre Drake takes a closer look at the class of drugs behind popular products like Bravecto, NexGard, and Simparica. She explores how these medications function inside the body, how they’re tested for safety, and what dog owners should understand before using them. Bre also discusses the concept of cumulative toxic load in modern dogs and why parasite prevention doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing conversation. This episode invites dog owners to step back from fear-based decision making and take a more informed look at the tradeoffs involved in protecting dogs from parasites.


Follow Bre on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tailswellhealth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Visit Tailswell Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tailswell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Show Notes

Venjenz Motherboard for Pets (code TAILSWELL)

Holistic Flea & Tick Support Guide

Adored Beast Liver Tonic (Post-Med Support)

Nexguard, Simparica & Bravecto - Are they safe for dogs? by Dogs Naturally

Affordable Pet Labs - at home pet diagnostics

FDA Fact Sheet for Pet Owners and Veterinarians about Potential Adverse Events Associated with Isoxazoline Flea and Tick Products

FDA Warning: Flea & Tick Products (issued Sep 2018)


Studies:

The canine blood-brain barrier in health and disease: focus on brain protection

Comparative analysis of isoxazoline activity on human and canine GABA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Survey of canine use and safety of isoxazoline parasiticides

Pharmacokinetics of fluralaner in dogs following a single oral or intravenous administration

Suspected neurological toxicity after oral application of fluralaner (Bravecto®) in a Kooikerhondje dog




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