Heartworm Preventive Treatment for Dogs
A Review of Heartgard Plus Chewables for Parasite Prevention in Dogs
Mar 30, 2009
Parasites are common problems in dogs. Three of the most common parasites diagnosed in dogs are heartworms, roundworms and hookworms.
Why Worry about Heartworm Disease or Roundworm and Hookworm Infection in Dogs?
Heartworm disease in dogs is a serious, potentially fatal disease in dogs.
- Heartworms are carried by mosquitoes and the bite of an infected mosquito can pass heartworms to your dog.
- All dogs are at risk of heartworm infection, whether they live indoors or outdoors, are long haired or short, male or female, young or old.
- Once your dog is infected with heartworms, serious damage can be done to your dog's heart before the infection is diagnosed
- Treatment for heartworm disease is expensive to you and can be painful and dangerous for your dog.
- Prevention of heartworm infection is simple and easy, is less expensive than treatment for heartworms, is not painful or dangerous for your dog and is very effective.
Roundworms and hookworms are two of the most common intestinal parasites diagnosed in dogs.
- Roundworms and hookworms can be present in your dog without any outward evidence of disease.
- Roundworms and hookworms can also cause diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration for your dog.
- Roundworm and hookworm eggs can be shed in your dog's feces and can be dangerous for you and your family. Hookworms can cause skin disease in people and roundworms can cause blindness, seizures and many other symptoms in people, particularly in young children.
What Can be Done to Prevent Parasite Infection in Dogs?
There are many medications available which are effective in preventing heartworms, roundworms and hookworms in dogs. Some of these products include Heartgard Plus, Interceptor and Iverhart.
Heartgard Plus Chewables
According to Merial, the company which manufactures Heartgard Plus, the medication contains the drugs ivermectin and pyrantel. Ivermectin is effective in preventing heartworm infection when given monthly. Pyrantel will aid in preventing and treating roundworms and hookworms when given monthly.
Heartgard Plus is a beef-flavored chewable tablet intended to be given on a monthly basis. Heartgard Plus is safe for puppies as young as 6 weeks of age.
Heartgard Plus Chewables should be administered to your dog starting at 6 weeks of age or older and should be continued once per month for the life of your dog.
Heartgard Plus Chewables should be given every month throughout the entire year.
Heartgard Plus Chewables are safe to administer to pregnant or nursing mothers and to stud dogs.
Your dog will need to be tested for heartworms before starting Heartgard Plus Chewable preventive medication if he is over the age of 6 months.
Many veterinarians will also advise retesting for heartworms every 6 -12 months for heartworms. This is usually standard procedure. Though Heartgard Plus Chewables and other heartworm preventive medications are usually quite effective in preventing heartworm infections, no medication (whether it be heartworm preventive medication or any other type) is 100% effective. For this reason, retesting for heartworms is recommended periodically as a safety precaution.
Side Effects of Heartgard Plus Chewable Medication for Dogs
Heartgard Plus is well tolerated, rarely causing side effects. When seen, the most likely side effects are:
- depression
- lethargy
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- anorexia
- incoordination
- staggering
- convulsions
- excessive salivation
Though the drug ivermectin can cause adverse reactions in Collie breeds at high dosages, the dosage level in Heartgard Plus Chewables is relatively low and according to Merial, adverse effects have not been seen in these breeds with the administration of Heartworm Plus Chewables monthly.
Though Heartgard Plus is one of many preventive medications available for preventing heartworms, roundworms and hookworms in dogs, it compares very favorably to products such as Interceptor and Iverhart.
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