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Pet Medication
Home -> Heartworm Awareness Campaign
Heartgard Plus is The #1
Choice Of Veterinarians For Heartworm Disease Prevention! Heartgard
Plus also Treats and Controls Roundworms and Hookworms.
Merial Launches Heartworm Awareness
Campaign
February 18
Las Vegas, NV. — Veterinary professionals can now do more
to help educate pet owners about the dangers of heartworm disease
and intestinal parasites through an awareness campaign launched
today at the Western Veterinary Conference.
Be a HEART GUARDIAN™ is a trade and consumer awareness campaign
that will bring attention to the risks associated with heartworm
disease and intestinal parasitic infections. The program, sponsored
by the American Animal Hospital Association, will emphasize the
importance of prevention as the key to controlling these diseases.
Only 23 percent of dog owners feel they are knowledgeable about
heartworm disease, according to just-released results of the Heartworm
Omnibus Survey of 363 dog owners across the country.
April has been chosen as Be a HEART GUARDIAN Month. Merial sales
representatives will provide materials that will help veterinary
professionals educate their clients about the risks of heartworm
and intestinal parasite infection.
"The results of our 2001 survey revealed that over 240,000
dogs were infected with heartworms. When you couple this with the
fact that one in every two dogs are not on a heartworm preventive,
you begin to see the urgency for this type of awareness program,"
said Michael Huckaby, HEARTGARD® product manager. "We need
to give veterinarians and clinic staff the tools to increase awareness
so clients understand the importance of having their dog on a broad
spectrum heartworm preventive."
Last year Merial, (the makers of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel),
partnered with the American Heartworm Society to survey veterinary
clinics and determine the incidence of heartworm infection by state
and county in the U.S. Heartworm disease was reported in dogs in
all 50 states, but it was most prevalent in the South.
"Heartworm disease is 100 percent preventable if dog owners
understand the risks and follow their veterinarian's recommendation
for prevention," said Linda Rader, HEARTGARD brand director.
"Clinic staff are on the front line of this movement and are
key to educating clients and dispensing preventatives that fight
heartworm disease."
The Heartworm Omnibus Survey showed discrepancies between dog owners'
perceptions about the disease and how it is transmitted and what
is known about the disease. For example, 71 percent of dog owners
believe they know a lot about heartworm disease, yet only 45 percent
know how it is transmitted. The survey also showed that 85 percent
of dog owners understand that heartworms are a serious health threat
to their dogs, but only 12 percent are confident they could identify
the clinical signs of heartworm disease.
"Merial produced materials that can help bridge the gap between
what dog owners think they know about heartworm disease and what
they actually need to know," Rader said. "These materials
will help the veterinary professional inform clients on the best
medicine to prevent heartworm disease and protect their families."
As part of the campaign, Merial produced a Dog Bone Basket Merchandising
Kit for practitioners. It includes a door cling, counter card, Pet
Health Checklist, pens, Post-It Notes, balloons, an inflatable heart,
flashing buttons, and state-specific heartworm incidence counter
mats. Also included is a CD-Rom with information on heartworms and
gastrointestinal parasites to aid veterinarians and educate clients.
What the vet says
Heartgard
Plus is an extremely effective drug for the prevention of
parasites. Heartworms are present in most parts of the United
States and in many parts of North America. |
Heartgard Plus Is The #1 Choice Of Veterinarians
For Heartworm Disease Prevention! Only Heartgard Plus Comes In A
Real-beef Chewable That Dogs Love. Heartgard Plus Also Treats And
Controls Roundworms And Hookworms. It Is Approved For Use In Puppies
As Young As 6 Weeks, Small Dogs Regardless Of Weight, Pregnant Or
Breeding Bitches, Stud Dogs, And Collies. Heartgard Plus Is 100%
Effective Against Heartworms, And Treats And Controls Other Dangerous
Parasites. 6 Oral Monthly Doses.
Heartgard Plus FAQ
Generic Name
Ivermectin (eye-ver-mek’-tin) Plus
Brand Name(s)
Heartgard Plus (Merial), Iverhart Plus (Virbac)
What is this medication used for
Heartgard Plus is an anthelminthic (dewormer) used for the prevention
of heartworm disease in dogs. When combined with pyrantel pamoate
it is also used for treating roundworm and hookworm in dogs.
How Heartgard Plus should be used
Heartgard Plus is given once a month year round for the prevention
of heartworm disease. The usual dose of Heartgard Plus in dogs up
to 25 pounds is 68mcg/57mg, for 26-50 pounds is 136mcg/114mg and
for 51-100 pounds is 272mcg/227mg. Dogs over 100 pounds are given
a combination of tablets. The chewable tablets should be chewed.
They are not meant to be swallowed whole. For dogs that normally
swallow treats whole, the tablet can be broken into pieces. As an
alternate to year round dosing, this medication can be given during
the mosquito season and for one month after the season ends.
What are the side effects of Heartgard Plus
The side effects of Heartgard Plus are rare at the recommended heartworm
prevention dose. Higher doses in dogs may cause tremors, dilated
pupils, and loss of body weight or death. Side effects in cats include
agitation, loss of appetite, staggering, dilated pupils, tremors,
blindness and disorientation.
What special precautions are there
Heartgard Plus should not be used in animals allergic to it. Use
with caution in Collies. Heartworm testing should be performed prior
to the start of prevention therapy. If the animal is off Heartgard
Plus for 6 months or less, start the medication and test after 6
months since microfilaria, that take 6 months to mature, will result
in a positive test result. Because humans can contract roundworm,
hookworm and tapeworm from animals, it is important to maintain
good personal hygiene. It is also important to eliminate fleas on
the pet and in the household and to not feed the pet rodents or
uncooked meat or fish. To prevent reinfection, daily cleanup of
stools is recommended.
In the event of an overdose
Contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency room. Symptoms
of overdose may include vomiting, diarrhea, and incoordination in
dogs.
How should I store this medication
Keep this medication in the original box. Do not remove the tablet
from the wrapper until ready to give the medicine. Store this medicine
at room temperature. Keep this medication out of the reach of children
and pets.
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