Purchasing a heartworm preclusive is one of the loving things you can do for your dog’s
health. However…if you’re like most pet owners, you probably have some inquiries.
Below are some answers to guide you as you narrow down your search.
Q: What does Heartgard do?
A: Heartgard is a prescription made for the prevention of heartworm disease in dogs and cats.
Q: How does it work?
A: Invermectin is the main component. Invermectin interferes with the parasite’s nerveous
system, and then paralyses and kills the immature heartworms (larvae).
Q: How frequently should I feed this medicine to my cat or dog?
A: Once a month.
Note: you should try to feed your pet her Heartgard medicine on the same day, each month. The heart
stickers, that come with the package, will help you remember.
Q: What if I forget a dose?
A: If the time between doses is more than 30 days, Invermectin’s effectiveness might be lessened.
( Again, Invermectin kills young heartworms. And forgettign doses might
allow the heartworms to grow to a point where the medicine is less effective.)
That said, professionals recommend scanning your pet for heartworms
six and a helf months after the missed dosage.
Q: What about fussy breeds like Collies, is this medicine safe for them?
A: Collies and other related breeds have shown sensitivity to Invermectin. Fortunately, the amount of Invermectin in Heartgard is
minimal. And the manufacturer, Murial, says that the ingredients should be safe if used as
directed.
Q: How soon should I begin giving my pet Heartgard?
A: Heartgard destroys the larvae your pet was subjected to within the last 30 days. So, if
you are planning to provide your dog or cat a seasonal preventative, feed it to her
one month after the 1st mosquito makes an appearance.
Q: What about puppies?
A: You can start your puppy on the preclusive when he’s a minimum six weeks old.
Q: What if I want to protect my pet against intestinal worms?
A: Consider looking into Heartgard Plus. In addition to Invermectin, it uses Pyrantel, which
anhilalates roundworms and hookworms as well as heartworms.
Q: dog or cat need to be tested before giving him Heartgard?
A: Yes. Feeding a heartworm preclusive to a pet that already has heartworms may cause a severe reaction that may be harmful or even fatal for your animal.
That said you will also need to have a veterinarian’s prescription to buy procure Heartgard.
You may also consider using a generic Heartgard.
This posting is based on information freely available in the popular press and medical journals that deal with [medical subject]. Nothing herein is intended to be or
should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice the reader should consult with his or her physician or other m edical specialist.
