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Pet Medication Home -> Heartworm Treatment
Heartgard Plus is The #1
Choice Of Veterinarians For Heartworm Disease Prevention! Heartgard
Plus also Treats and Controls Roundworms and Hookworms.
The treatment for
heartworms is different for cats and dogs. Do not ever give medicine
intended for a cat to your dog or vice versa.
Once your pet has heartworms the treatment is not
easy. You want to rid your pet of heartworms but many factors need
to be looked at before proceeding. Your veterinarian will have to
do many tests to determine how many worms your pet has, how it is
affecting your pet and if your pet can handle the side effects of
the medication.
Let's first look at the treatment of heartworms for
dogs. The first thing that will have to be done is an evaluation
of your dog and what treatment is necessary to stabilize them for
treatment for heartworms and then the elimination of all the heartworms
and larvae.
The adult heartworms will be killed first, then comes
the larvae and the microfilaria. Both have to be killed with different
treatments. There are side effects that can happen that are very
dangerous to your dog while ridding them of the adult heartworm.
As the adult heartworms die they can become lodged in the arteries.
The arteries are already inflamed by the presence of these worms
but as the worms decompose the arteries can become more inflamed
and your dog will need to be watched carefully for things like this
that may occur during treatment. Sometimes, according to how infested
your dog is with heartworms, he may need to stay at the hospital
for proper care. Talking with your veterinarian will ease your mind
and let you know the best options for your dog.
The treatment for heartworms in cats may be no treatment.
Cats are very hard to treat for heartworms. The side effects of
the dying worms cause at least one third of the cats treated life
threatening problems. Cats are unable to take some of the medications
available for eliminating heartworms. Your veterinarian will have
to do many tests to determine if your cat should undergo treatment.
As with all disease prevention is better than the
treatment. Before your pet can get heartworm disease find medications
that can prevent heartworms in your pet from ever happening.
With a simple veterinary visit,
pet owners can obtain a heartworm treatment like Heartgard Plus
(ivermectin/pyrantel), the number one veterinarian-recommended heartworm
preventive. This simple monthly treatment protects against heartworm,
as well as controls intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms.
Additionally, HEARTGARD Plus is the only heartworm treatment in
a real-beef Chewable that dogs and cats love to take and owners
prefer to give.
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 Treatment! Only Heartgard Plus Comes In A Real-beef
Chewable That Dogs and Cats 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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