How many of you can remember a time when the only semi-effective flea and tick treatment was to dip your pet in an awful smelling medication?

The putrid pesticide was effective in its immediate kill of fleas and ticks, but it left our pets smelling horrible, and it had little residual effect.

That means as soon as our pets encounter more fleas and ticks, the pesticide dips did not prevent them from jumping right back on.

Then, a few years ago, the biggest breakthrough in pet parasite medical research was uncovered. The parasite control research brought about a flea and tick medication that was easy to apply, nearly odorless, effective and only needed to be used once a month.

That’s right. You had to apply the new product once a month, and it would kill fleas and ticks as they contracted them, which was the most amazing product in veterinarian medicine since the development of antibiotics.

When it seemed too good to be true, and it seemed as if there couldn’t possibly be any other product as efficient, low and behold, research once again shocked pet owners with yet another wonderful product.

This product was just as effective against fleas, had no odor, and was simple to administer. This product allowed pet owners to give their pets a chewable tablet once a month for flea control. The only problem is that this product did not treat or prevent ticks.

To add to the mix of the latest and greatest modern and technologically advanced flea and tick products was even better products that combined flea control with other external and internal parasites. Products arose that could combine flea control with heartworm prevention.

Also, there were already products available that combined heartworm prevention with the treatment of intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.

We have multiple products that are effective in treating external and internal parasites. Many of these products treat several different types of parasites with one monthly dose. However, none of the products treat all of the types of parasites that pets encounter.

For example, Revolution is a product that treats heartworms and fleas but doesn’t treat intestinal parasites.

Heartgard and Interceptor treat heartworms and intestinal parasites but don’t treat fleas and ticks.

Then, a brand-new product arrived. This product, called Trifexis, is a once-a-month chewable tablet effective against heartworms, fleas and intestinal parasites. The only major external parasite tTrifexis does not treat is ticks.

Still, Trifexis is an effective product against heartworms, fleas, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.

In recent years, scientists have developed even newer products against fleas and ticks.

Nexguard is an effective chewable treat that is given once a month.

Bravecto is another effective chewable treat but only has to be given every three months.

In the past, flea and tick collars were not effective and had a terrible odor. But now, there is a flea and tick collar called Seresto that works well for up to eight months and does not have an unpleasant smell.

There is still no product that will take care of all parasites. Therefore, one product may be better in one situation whereas another product would be better for a different situation.

Once again, don’t forget the Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning to pet owners against buying pet products from online pharmacies. The FDA issued the warning because of tainted products, and a lot of products didn’t even contain the correct ingredients for the labeled product.

As scientific research continues to produce better parasite control medicines for pets, pet owners face the decision of which product best suits their pets.

With many products available, it can be confusing as to which product treats which parasites.

Therefore, see your veterinarian for advice about parasite control so your pet lives a long, healthy and happy life.

Dr. Jeff Castle is a veterinarian at Clark County Veterinary Clinic.