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Pet Medication Home -> Heartworms Alert
Heartgard Plus is The #1
Choice Of Veterinarians For Heartworm Disease Prevention! Heartgard
Plus also Treats and Controls Roundworms and Hookworms.
Heartworms alert - know the warning
signs to save your pets health! by S.A. Smith
Has your pet recently
been coughing, eating less, or being more lethargic than usual?
If so, it is possible that your pet is infected with heartworms
and may need immediate help and attention. Heartworms may infect
a host for up to 2 years before any signs or symptoms are visible,
and often when they are diagnosed it may be too late for some pets.
Heartworms are an infectious parasitic transmitted
by mosquitoes that invades major organs in dogs and cats like the
lungs, pulmonary arteries and heart. Heartworms grow and multiply
within the pet body and can survive for up to 5 years. Heartworms
cause damage and block smaller arterial vessels in your pets key
organs leading to organ damage and a multitude of health complications.
The symptoms of a heartworm infestation are often
difficult to recognize or may be overlooked or discounted as merely
flu or cough-like symptoms. Coughing, weigh loss, lethargy, rapid
heart beat, poor coat condition, diarrhea and loss of appetite are
common symptoms. Treatment to rid a pet of adult heartworms is a
costly vet procedure and involves exposing your pet to arsnic poisoning
treatments to kill the adult heatworms - a procedure that can be
fatal for aged pets or ones in deteriorating physical condition.
The best approach to dealing with the risk of heartworms
is through and active prevention program. Prevention is the key
to controlling and avoiding the health problems associated with
these highly contagious and common parasites. A simple oral medication
administred once a month is all it takes to protect your pets from
the damaging effects of heartworm infestation. For more specific
information on treatment and prevention methods visit: http://www.pet-medicine-meds.com/heartworms.htm
About the Author
S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the
Pet Medicine MEDS resource site and can be reached at http://www.pet-medicine-meds.com
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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