Dr. Devin Kistler, owner of All Animals Veterinary Clinic in Lebanon, Indiana, understands the challenges veterinary professionals face when recommending parasite protection for cats. Since many feline patients live exclusively indoors, pet owners sometimes don’t see the value in protection.
Dr. Kistler relies on affordable NexGard COMBO topical solution to make saying “yes” easy for her cat-owning clients. We asked why she trusts NexGard COMBO topical solution and how adopting a One-And-Done monthly protection product has impacted her practice and clientele.
Q: Can you tell us about your practice?
Dr. Kistler: Our clinic has been here for 33 years, originally opened by my dad, and I’ve been a veterinarian here since 2011. We are a mixed animal practice with about 90% small animals and 10% food animals, and a 70/30 split between dogs and cats. We do soft tissue surgery and see sick patients, but we also do a lot of wellness and preventive care. We have three full-time doctors.
A: I love doing surgery and dentals, but my favorite thing is talking to clients about preventive care. I enjoy following pets from kittenhood through senior care and hospice, teaching people to take care of their pets, and ensuring they use the right tools and products to keep their pets protected. We spend a lot of time training the staff how to talk to clients and educating clients about flea, tick and heartworm disease protection and why that’s so important.
Q: How do you navigate parasite protection conversations with cat owners?
A: We are in a farming community, so we see some barn cats, but most of our feline patients are indoor pets. We hear, “My cat never goes outside, so they don’t need anything” a lot. We work hard from day one, when we see those kittens or adult cats, talking about parasite risks. We try to have that same talk with every cat owner repeatedly, and if somebody is on the fence, we’ll give them a free first dose. We’ll also show them how to apply it, or we put it on for them.
Q: Why do you recommend NexGard®COMBO (esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel topical solution) for your feline patients?
A: It’s hard to beat products that are easy to use. I was skeptical of the syringe-like packaging, but we found it’s easier to put on and see where it’s going, which makes a huge difference to clients. The broad coverage means clients have to use only one thing. And, we can carry one product that works really well for barn cats and indoor cats. I think that’s important—we don’t have to use additional dewormers.
Q: What made you switch to NexGard COMBO topical solution?
A: The team has one product they recommend regardless of the cat’s lifestyle. The price point was good for us, especially since we use other Boehringer Ingelheim products. We use Greenline® as well, so the clients get instant rebates, and we can save them money right off the bat.
Q: How was the transition from your previous product?
A: Our Boehringer Ingelheim rep is amazing, and she’s done a lot of education. We had a lunch-and-learn on NexGard COMBO topical solution early on. The team transition was seamless because our rep made sure we had everything we needed. We were already using and talking about HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) and NexGard® (afoxolaner) for our canine patients, so staying in that product family was easy. We didn’t get much pushback from our clients because they trust our recommendations.
Q: Do you have any tips for encouraging compliance?
A: We want everyone to walk out with protection. The doctors and technicians discuss it in exam rooms. Before clients leave, we ask if they need some while they’re here. Most of the time, my team has already asked, and it’s waiting for the client at checkout. We make it easy for people to come in and pick it up or use our online pharmacy.
Q: How does Boehringer Ingelheim support your team and use of NexGard COMBO topical solution?
A: My rep and her manager are great, and we’ve worked with them for years. Anytime we have to call tech services, they’re easy to get ahold of and talk to. If we ever need pamphlets, educational materials or staff training, they take care of it. If there is a problem with shipping, they fix it. When we’ve had heartworm-positive pets, they work with the client.
Want to learn how NexGard COMBO topical solution can become your monthly One-And-Done product for cats? Visit NexGardCOMBO.com or talk to your local Boehringer Ingelheim representative.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: NexGard® COMBO is for topical use only in cats. Use with caution in cats with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include vomiting, application site reactions, and anorexia. If ingested, hypersalivation may occur. Avoid direct contact with application site until visibly dry. For more information, including full prescribing information, talk to your veterinarian, call 888-637-4251, or visit NexGardCOMBOClinic.com.
Use NexGard® (afoxolaner) with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. For more information, including full prescribing information, call 888-637-4251 or visit NexGardClinic.com.
Following the use of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) in dogs, digestive and neurologic side effects and pruritus have been reported. All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventive program. For more information or for the full prescribing information, call 888-637-4251, or visit HEARTGARDClinic.com.
NexGard® is a registered trademark and NexGard COMBO™ is a trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health France, used under license. HEARTGARD® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner. ©2025 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. US-PET-1061-2024